Banking & Finance: Acquisition Finance

King & Wood Mallesons stands out for its leading banking group which is active on sophisticated financing arrangements for borrowers, lenders and sponsors. The firm boasts an enviable client list, including major domestic and multinational financial institutions, property and infrastructure developers and investment funds. The team has a sterling reputation in all banking and finance disciplines, including asset, property, acquisition and corporate finance. It also deals with major cross-border aviation and shipping transactions and advises on innovative corporate finance products. The banking team is supported by King & Wood Mallesons' strong practice in financial services regulation to provide clients with a comprehensive service, as well as top-tier corporate and restructuring service offerings. Its key clients include Reliance Rail, HSBC and Australian Unity Investment Real Estate.

"They are very high-quality. All of the partners I've dealt with have been excellent. They are very commercial, attentive and across our needs."

"The team have a great balance of being very sound and technical while taking a pragmatic and commercial approach that helps drive great outcomes. They are absolutely top-rate."

King & Wood Mallesons advised BGH Capital on a AUD370 million holdco financing for the takeover of Virtus Health and consequently documented and closed AUD495 million first and second-lien term loan B facilities to finance the takeover.

The firm acted for Kestrel Coal, and sponsors EMR Capital and Adaro, on an USD860 million syndicated facility agreement.

Ken Astridge is one of the leading figures in the property finance sphere, where he has an impressive track record advising on funding major residential and infrastructure developments. "Ken is very specialised and has been around for a long time. He's very smart and stands out."

Yuen-Yee Cho is a leading acquisition and corporate finance lawyer and regularly advises major corporates, banks and private equity funds on complex debt structures. "Yuen-Yee, in our opinion, is the best debt lawyer in the market. She is commercial but also deeply in touch with market and individual lender dynamics, which enables her to tailor advice to each specific situation flexibly and ensure that she delivers the absolute finest possible negotiation position, whatever the situation." "She's the best financing lawyer in the market."

Aaron Bourke has an established reputation for corporate finance matters and frequently acts on the arrangement of cross-border facilities. "He's a really great practitioner and a good human being with a loyal client base."

Andrew Maynes heads King & Wood Mallesons' Sydney office and is regularly called on by both banks and borrowers to advise on a range of corporate financings, from sizeable syndicated borrowing arrangements to green sustainability-linked loans to acquisition financing. "He is very productive in terms of getting things done, which is important to me."

Dale Rayner is frequently engaged by major domestic and international banks. He has considerable experience in the asset finance sphere, advising on leasing platforms and structured financing arrangements. "Put senior management in front of him, and he can articulate complex regulatory environments in simple language. The way he communicates is flawless."

Ian Solomon is a distinguished practitioner in the property finance space and is particularly relied upon for complex transactions. "He's a fantastic lawyer and relationship partner."

Jonathan Oldham is based in Melbourne and is co-head of the firm's banking and finance department. He is mandated by both lenders and borrowers to advise on a range of corporate financings, as well as the refinancing of existing debt. "Jonathan has a strong standing in the market."

Will Stawell is a specialist in acquisition finance and is based in the firm's Sydney office. His work spans the full gamut of acquisition financing, of late including holdco financings and the refinancing of acquisition facilities. "Will is excellent and a lovely bloke." "He brings a calm assuredness to negotiations and gets on with it. His strategic calls are quality, and he's such a fun, engaging person to work with."