Competition/Antitrust - Australia
What the Team is Known For
The Clayton Utz team is noted for its ready engagement with especially complex issues, particularly large cross-border mergers and alleged cartels. The firm is also prominent in the energy and resources, financial services, media, technology and telecommunications sectors, and increasingly active on the competition aspects of major infrastructure projects. The practice is a favoured Australian choice for referrals from international law firms thanks to its independence from formal alliances, and because much of its work focuses on the representation of global market leaders in their dealings with the Australian competition law authorities. Primarily Sydney-based, but with additional resources in offices in Brisbane and Perth, and highly valued as part of a well-integrated, national full-service firm, the team is equipped to provide back-up on corporate or commercial issues.
Strengths
"The Clayton Utz team is led by a recognised industry specialist, technically very good, responsive and provides pragmatic commercial legal advice."
"Clayton Utz has excelled in providing quality advice in a timely manner that is tailored to our business."
Work Highlights
Clayton Utz advised Saputo on the sale of two white milk plants to Coles which was the subject of a lengthy ACCC public review.
Notable Practitioners
Kirsten Webb heads the Clayton Utz competition team from the Sydney office, maintaining a diverse practice which covers merger clearance, litigation and regulatory mandates. "Kirsten is a very strong competition lawyer and always a pleasure to deal with." "She is one of the very best competition lawyers in Australia."
Michael Corrigan is Sydney-based and regularly advises prominent international clients on securing ACCC approval for major acquisitions. "Michael is a longstanding and trusted competition law advisor to the group with extensive competition law experience and a deep knowledge of the industry and markets in which we operate." "He is a very experienced competition lawyer, calm and measured."
Bruce Lloyd is based in Sydney and counsels both public and private sector clients on transactional matters as well as disputes relating to such issues as cartel conduct and misuse of market power. "He is extremely senior, experienced and tactically astute."
Mihkel Wilding is Sydney-based and advises on major corporate acquisitions and disposals, as well as tribunal proceedings and litigation. "He is very strong, with high levels of commercial awareness." "Mihkel is a fantastic resource for us. He is always very approachable, knowledgeable and reliable."
Adrian Kuti is active on both competition and consumer law mandates. He is particularly experienced in the handling of matters relating to the automotive sector. "Adrian Kuti is a very good litigator with impressive knowledge of competition law in particular."