Capital Markets: Equity | Asia-Pacific

Gilbert + Tobin maintains a leading practice in the ECM space, known especially for its strength in handling high-value and complex IPOs, secondary offerings and block trades for issuers, investors and underwriters. The firm also has considerable expertise in DCM, where it is frequently engaged on complex restructures and refinancing of high-yield bonds.

Herbert Smith Freehills is recognised for its highly respected team handling an array of DCM, ECM and securitisation work. The equity capital markets team maintains a strong reputation for acting for issuers on highly complex and innovative matters, including high-profile IPOs, dual listings and hybrid issuances. The firm boasts significant experience in the Eurobond and US private placement spheres. Herbert Smith Freehills is also noted for its depth of experience interacting with key regulators in the market.

A&O Shearman has a prominent team offering expertise across the full spectrum of DCM and ECM including high-value IPOs. The team has notable experience handling cross-border listings and funding for M&A transactions, particularly within the energy and resources sector. The firm is known for its strength in the securitisation arena and is experienced in working with an extensive range of asset classes including auto loans, residential mortgages and credit cards. The team has access to the firm's global network and is noted for its expertise in the US and European bond markets. The firm has long-established relationships with a number of international investment banks and top ASX-listed companies.

Allens maintains a strong reputation for its broad-ranging capital markets capabilities and works with a number of blue-chip clients, investment banks and other major financial institutions on significant ECM transactions including high-value block trades, IPOs and secondary offerings. The firm also possesses an impressive DCM practice working on a number of hybrid note issuances and US private placements. Allens handles matters involving offshore markets utilising the firm's cross-border expertise and its alliance with Linklaters. The team can draw on its significant regulatory expertise to advise arrangers and issuers, including institutional banks, on APRA guidelines.

Baker McKenzie demonstrates expertise in a range of ECM matters, including novel capital raisings and IPOs. The legal team routinely acts for underwriters, and handles cross-border capital raisings and listings throughout the Asia-Pacific region, with additional experience in the UK and US markets. Baker McKenzie is also noted for DCM expertise, including advice on note programmes and high-yield bonds.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth offers expertise in a wide range of domestic and global capital market matters. The team regularly acts for an impressive list of energy, natural resources and infrastructure clients, assisting with secondary offerings and capital raisings. The law firm is active advising on IPOs across a range of industries.

DLA Piper is a well-respected full-service practice offering expertise in a range of equity transactions. The team continues to be highly active on cross-border matters, including acting for US and China-based entities. DLA Piper is known for its experience advising technology companies, particularly on raising development capital within domestic markets through non-listing funding transactions. The firm is also noted for its expertise within the natural resources sector, advising a number of mining companies on capital raises, placements and secondary listings.

MinterEllison is highly regarded for its deft handling of debt and equity transactions. The legal team acts for an impressive range of issuers, underwriters and lead managers on ASX listings, secondary raisings and bond matters. In addition, the team also represents trustees, offshore investors, REITs, and senior and mezzanine financiers in securitisation and initial raisings. MinterEllison advises on mezzanine and warehouse facilities as well as debt issuance programmes. The firm principally handles high-profile domestic work, but is also active on cross-border matters as a result of affiliations with international firms.

McCullough Robertson is well regarded for its strong presence in the Brisbane market and known for catering to clients from the life sciences, natural resources, logistics, and technology and telecommunications industries. The law firm is noted for its established relationships with both issuers and underwriters. The team maintains a solid reputation for advising mid-market clients on a range of equity transactions, including IPOs, secondary raisings and private placements.

Norton Rose Fulbright is a highly commended firm offering in-depth knowledge across the full gamut of capital market transactions. The capital markets team possesses particular experience in the corporate bond market and trustee advisory work. The team demonstrates strength in securitisation and structured finance transactions, as well as equity capital raises such as IPOs and secondary offerings. Norton Rose Fulbright boasts an impressive cross-border offering, strengthened by its international network of offices with locations in Europe, in the USA and across Asia. The firm acts for clients from a diverse range of industries, including energy, infrastructure and technology.