Department profile
Ashurst

Private Equity

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Australia

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Ashurst

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About

Provided by Ashurst

Department: Corporate/M&A & Private Equity

Partner for this department: John Brewster & Anton Harris

No of employees in department: 175

Ashurst's Corporate / M&A team offers a global reach and a collaborative international network. Our clients benefit from our expertise and offices across all major commercial centres in Australia, the UK, USA, EU and throughout the Middle East. Notably, our Australian lawyers frequently collaborate with teams in Asia on both inbound and outbound transactions.

We operate dedicated global industry teams focusing on five core areas, which correspond to current M&A trends: Banks & Funds, Digital Economy, Energy & Resources, Infrastructure and Real Estate. As a result, we have been involved in some of the biggest M&A transactions across these key industries and others. Our team is proud to have been the trusted legal adviser on a number of landmark transactions in the Australian market.

We are known for executing complex, big ticket private equity transactions. We have played a key role on the largest, most significant and complex deals in the market.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Equity - Australia

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

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.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Ashurst advised funds managed or controlled by Adamantem Capital Management on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in QANTM Intellectual Property.

  • Ashurst advised Alcoa on its acquisition of 100% of Alumina in an all-scrip transaction by way of a scheme of arrangement.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Ashurst is really good, very commercial. They come up with innovative solutions to complex issues. They’re responsive and really nice people. They get us.

    Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

  • They take the load off the client and really navigate all the issues. They're extremely hands-on, extremely approachable and it's very easy to rely on their advice.

    Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

  • Ashurst has a highly experienced team with different areas of expertise and focus. This leads to very high quality advice that is highly commercial while also being technically very strong.

    Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Neil Pathak
    Neil Pathak

    Neil Pathak

    Neil Pathak co-heads Ashurst's Australian corporate and M&A offering from the firm's Melbourne office and is an experienced handler of multi-billion dollar takeovers and other acquisitions.

    • Neil Pathak is an exceptional lawyer. The most experienced M&A lawyer in Victoria and potentially Australia. He is a pleasure to work with.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Beyond Neil's strong legal skills, he is very commercially astute and well connected.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Neil is probably the leading M&A lawyer in Australia, as evidenced by his role on the Takeovers Panel. He is very strong in providing strategic transactional and commerical advice.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Tony Damian
    Tony Damian

    Tony Damian

    Tony Damian is based at the firm's Sydney office, where he co-heads Ashurst's Australian M&A practice. He regularly advises on technically sophisticated public takeovers, mergers and schemes of arrangement, transaction types upon which he is also a noted published authority.

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  • Philip Breden
    Philip Breden

    Philip Breden

    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.

    • Phil understands our commercial imperatives and our business.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Phil is very commercial, understands our business and he actually cares.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Phil knows our business really well. He's a very commercial and responsive lawyer. He’ll read everything and get into the details. He understands what we're trying to achieve.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • John Brewster
    John Brewster

    John Brewster

    John Brewster heads Ashurst's Australian corporate team from Melbourne 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 savvy, client-centred operator who provides clear and accurate advice and is highly commercial.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

    • John is very commercial and enthusiastic. Even outside of a specific deal, he's always available for me to bounce ideas off of. The support he provides is very appreciated.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

    • John thinks ahead at all times. He identifies and solves all complex issues in advance. His judgement is very well trusted.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Anton Harris
    Anton Harris

    Anton Harris

    Anton Harris maintains a busy M&A practice across an impressive range of business sectors, acting for players from sectors as diverse as those of finance, healthcare, integrated services and retail.

    • Anton is extremely commercial and always works well with other advisers.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Anton is a charismatic deal-doer and a very commercially sound lawyer. He has an executive presence.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Anton Harris is extremely commercially minded and cuts through on commercial issues while remaining across the detail. He's extremely responsive, dedicated to his client and a pleasure to work with.

      Private Equity respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Stuart Dullard
    Stuart Dullard

    Stuart Dullard

    Stuart Dullard demonstrates a strong track record of advising private equity clients on venture capital investments, evidenced by his role as head of the Ashurst venture capital practice from his base in Sydney.
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Ranked Individuals at Ashurst (6)

Australia

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