Department profile
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Corporate/M&A

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Australia

Share profile

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills is the pre-eminent Australian law firm for M&A, advising on the most innovative, high profile deals and market defining transactions in the market across a variety of sectors. We take pride in consistently achieving top rankings in Corporate M&A work, recognised by leading industry intelligence platforms.  

Our team provide market-leading advice on public and private M&A transactions, including significant cross-border transactions, and is focused on ensuring strong commercial outcomes at each stage of a transaction and for each transaction type, from implementing corporate restructures in preparation for potential acquisitions, negotiating acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures and advising mergers and takeovers. 

Advising on the most significant and complex transactions in the market, our team is at the forefront deals that are transformative for the nation, the economy and major sectors and the large volume of M&A transactions we advise on ensures there is rarely an M&A issue our team have not dealt with before. 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Australia

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

The standout Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer practice is renowned for its consistent involvement in many of the most prominent and challenging transactions. The team frequently acts on both major public M&A and private equity transactions and is able to apply debt and capital markets expertise when required. It is noted for its immense depth of resources and longstanding relationships with a variety of top-flight multinationals, and is especially valued for its ability to provide substantial, multi-jurisdictional support at both the regional and global levels. The firm is trusted to coordinate multibillion-dollar divestment and demerger deals for a varied roster of financial, mining, IT and healthcare services clients.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advised Chemist Warehouse on its reverse takeover by Sigma Healthcare to create a listed healthcare wholesaler, distributor and retail pharmacy franchisor.

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer acted for Quadrant Private Equity in its acquisition of approximately 80% of Birch & Waite.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is exceptional. The team is really good and has a lot of depth. They attract good talent. We received excellent partner and below-partner-level support.

    Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific

  • The lawyers were able to help distil the key issues we were working through. They are very solid, good operators and the firm offers lots of direct partner involvement.

    Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Baden Furphy
    Baden Furphy

    Baden Furphy

    Baden Furphy handles public M&A and private equity mandates with equal readiness from the Melbourne office and is frequently engaged to assist clients on matters relating to demergers, buy-backs and hostile takeovers.
    View profile
  • Philippa Stone
    Philippa Stone

    Philippa Stone

    Philippa Stone commands the highest respect among both clients and other sources in this space, not only for handling public M&A deals as effectively as the equity capital markets transactions for which she is especially renowned, but also in the spheres of negotiated deals, privatisations and corporate reconstructions.

    • Philippa is extremely experienced and knowledgeable. We feel very comfortable with Philippa's support when we discuss M&A strategy and tactics.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Philippa Stone is always outstanding. She is my go-to lawyer for complex deals in Australia.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Our view is, Philippa Stone is one of the preeminent practitioners in Australia. We have lots of trust in her when it comes to dealing with complex matters.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific
    View profile
  • Rebecca Maslen-Stannage
    Rebecca Maslen-Stannage

    Rebecca Maslen-Stannage

    Rebecca Maslen-Stannage is the firm's chair and senior partner, and she offers an impressive track record in the representation of prominent domestic and multinational clients in some of Australia's highest profile mergers and takeovers.

    • Rebecca Maslen is very good. To me, she is the best lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Rebecca is excellent. She foresaw issues, is easy to deal with and available.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Rebecca is commercially realistic and has the capacity to keep us out of trouble. She's a voice of reason. She is held in incredibly high regard. She never disappoints and always delivers.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific
    View profile
  • Rodd Levy
    Rodd Levy

    Rodd Levy

    Rodd Levy advises on substantial M&A transactions, takeover defence and corporate governance issues from the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Melbourne office.

    • Rodd Levy is first class on every metric.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific
    View profile
  • Andrew Rich
    Andrew Rich

    Andrew Rich

    Andrew Rich handles both public and private M&A mandates in, among other spheres, the consumer products, energy and TMT sectors, and offers noted experience of cross-border transactions. He is based in Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's Sydney office.

    View profile
  • Raji Azzam
    Raji Azzam

    Raji Azzam

    Raji Azzam, who operates from the Melbourne office, is widely acknowledged as a prominent and effective practitioner in the space, attracting particular acclaim for his relationships with major private equity firms.

    • Raji Azzam is a very experienced corporate/M&A lawyer and is good at bringing people together at the early stage of deals.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific
    View profile
  • Kam Jamshidi
    Kam Jamshidi

    Kam Jamshidi

    Kam Jamshidi is skilled in private equity transactions and public M&A, including schemes of arrangement. He is based in Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's Melbourne location.

    • Kam is a very strong operator and a trusted adviser to us. He has a sharp intellect, is super commercial and highly effective.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Kam Jamshidi is a very strong and user-friendly M&A partner. He provides a great service.

      Corporate/M&A respondentAsia-Pacific
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP (8)

Australia

Members

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP has rankings in the following guides

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership