The Ashurst corporate and M&A team represents the Australian arm of a global corporate practice that is respected for its proven track record in the handling of large-scale transactions for household-name multinationals. The team regularly advises leading private equity houses and financial institutions across a range of issues from initial investments to exits. It is prized for its innovative transaction structures, in-depth knowledge of key industrial and business sectors, and a comprehensive international and regional service which includes a noted focus on China and Japan-related work. Key clients include Lendi, Tilt Renewables and Woolworths.

Ashurst's Japan desk based in Melbourne represents both Australian and Japanese clients on a variety of matters involving both jurisdictions, including cross-border M&A transactions and international investments.

"Key team members all have strong commercial acumen and client service, and their responsiveness is very good."

"Members of the firm who were asked to advise on the matter impressed with their knowledge and commerciality, demonstrating a good breadth of expertise within the firm. Excellent commercial judgement and appreciation of commercial sensitivities are hallmarks of their advice."

"Practical and commercial legal advice is one of the key reasons we return to Ashurst time and again. They are also always incredibly responsive and ready, willing and able to join discussions at short notice and out of usual business hours."

Ashurst advised HomeCo Daily Needs on the AUD2.8 billion acquisition of Aventus Group by way of concurrent schemes.

Garry Besson is a hugely respected, Sydney-based senior adviser who continues to provide insights drawn from his years of experience in the corporate space to clients engaged in high-profile transactions and reorganisations. "Garry is a market leader in the provision of focused corporate and governance advice."

Philip Breden regularly advises on multibillion-dollar transactions for major ASX-listed and international clients across a variety of industries, including the construction, energy and manufacturing spheres. He is based in Ashurst's Sydney office. "He's displayed terrific judgement, responsiveness and thoughtfulness and has been a pivotal point in our relationship. He's very much a trusted adviser to us across M&A."

Elspeth Arnold operates out of the Melbourne office and practises across the M&A, corporate governance and capital markets spaces, maintaining key relationships with some of the team's highest-profile clients. "Elspeth is a top-quality partner and one of the most commercial and practical I've worked with."

Greg Golding, based in Sydney, offers long experience of involvement in some of Australia's most noteworthy transactions, maintaining a specialisation in the oversight of listed company takeovers. "He's a highly capable and creative lawyer doing some of the most complex transactions." "Greg is the brains behind some big deals."

Mark Stanbridge is based in Sydney and operates across the corporate and M&A spectrum, devoting a significant part of his practice to private equity work, acting frequently both for leading players in this sector and for household-name companies and financial services providers. "Mark has been a core adviser to us for a long time and always delivers outstanding service. He is at the top of his field and this is recognised by the market." "He's very highly respected and has a quality practice in public M&A as well as private equity."

Anton Harris maintains a busy M&A practice across an impressive range of business sectors, acting recently for players from sectors as diverse as those of finance, healthcare, integrated services and retail. He is co-head of the Ashurst corporate/M&A group in Australia. "Anton Harris is a great person to have on the team, with a great working style." "He's a commercially astute no-nonsense adviser who is highly credible, across the details, responsive and a pleasure to deal with." "He's got strong corporate nous when needed."

John Brewster is co-head of Ashurst's Australian corporate/M&A team and is well-versed in advising on major public M&A matters and private equity transactions, as well as corporate reorganisations. "John is a very active business developer who is winning a lot of work in the Melbourne market."

Natsuko Ogawa is the head of Ashurst's Japan practice in Australia and focuses principally on advising Japanese clients from a variety of business sectors on establishing themselves, investing or embarking on joint ventures in Australia.