Gilbert + Tobin provides a greatly respected national offering that is noted for combining a breadth of capability with lean, efficient staffing and the ready provision of expertise precisely suited to the matter in hand. The firm handles many of the most complex and significant M&A and takeover deals and is acclaimed for combining pragmatism with a flair for novel solutions and providing a consistent and dedicated service. It is also in high demand by some of the most prominent domestic and international private equity players across the full investment fund life cycle. Key clients include Telstra, KKR and Macquarie Asset Management.

"The lead partners are very strong commercially and always available; the teams are very skilled and inter-team collaboration is excellent."

"Gilbert + Tobin offers very seasoned advisers with very good and practical commercial knowledge."

"They stood out as being real M&A specialists; in large bet-the-company M&A transactions they are incredibly friendly, approachable and easy to get along with, which is important when you are going to spend 15 hours a day with each other."

Gilbert + Tobin advised Afterpay on its AUD39 billion acquisition by Block by way of an all-scrip scheme of arrangement.

Peter Cook is a highly regarded adviser on the most sophisticated transactions in both the public M&A and private equity spheres. Interviewees regularly testify to his commercial vision and strategic insight. He is based in Sydney.

Neil Pathak co-heads the Gilbert + Tobin corporate and M&A team from the Melbourne office and is an experienced handler of multibillion-dollar takeovers and other acquisitions. "Neil is a takeover specialist and is recognised as such, as he is on the takeovers panel."

Rachael Bassil commands a high level of recognition for her busy, Sydney-based private equity practice. She counts leading private equity firms, banks and listed companies among her clientele. "I couldn't speak highly enough of her; I've been in large-scale M&A for decades and she's probably the best I've come across; she made an incredibly complex and stressful transaction much easier. She's a problem solver who thinks outside the box and she comes up with commercial solutions that have never been done before." "She's got very deep domain knowledge and is a highly competent lawyer who is incredibly commercial. You can be confident that she has the backing of lots of experience and is a strong team leader." "She's very experienced and commercial and cuts through issues very well; she knows what's important and what isn't."

Costas Condoleon co-heads the Gilbert + Tobin corporate and M&A team and, much admired for his specialised expertise in M&A, also advises on securities law and corporate governance issues from the Sydney office. "Costas is very easy to work with, doesn't display ego and works very well with the other parties. No question was too difficult or too trivial." "It has been a privilege working with Costas. He demonstrated a calm demeanour and we benefited enormously from his incredible experience, sound judgement, responsiveness, commercial awareness, and ability to communicate and explain complex issues to the board and management." "He's an excellent practitioner and a good person, and he's very strong on understanding the commercial objectives."

Craig Semple is based in Melbourne and advises across a wide range of corporate issues, including not only large-scale acquisitions, mergers and takeovers, but also securities law and governance issues. "Craig Semple is absolutely fantastic."

Tim Gordon is a partner in the Gilbert + Tobin Sydney office whose clientele includes ASX-listed companies and offshore private equity fund managers. He is noted for handling transactions with an ESG element. "Tim was really good to deal with and was technical and commercial on a complicated deal." "Tim Gordon is an extremely strong and commercial lawyer."