Corporate/M&A | Asia-Pacific

Allens offers a richly resourced and versatile group, handling some of Australia's highest value and most significant cross-border and global public M&A transactions for a blue-chip, international clientele. The firm also acts for prominent private equity houses across the full spectrum of transactional issues and is able to draw on talent in capital markets, banking, funds and tax departments to provide a comprehensive offering, covering the full private equity life-cycle. It is active across a diverse range of industry sectors, including large-scale infrastructure and telecommunications, and is especially prominent on major takeovers and privatisations. Through its collaboration with its global alliance partner Linklaters, the firm offers fully integrated services across Asia and Australasia to advise on highly sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional transactions.

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.

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.

King & Wood Mallesons acts for a substantial proportion of Australia's leading ASX-listed companies and major international players on commercially significant transactions. Asia-headquartered and substantially focussed on the region, it offers a particularly powerful capability for China-related transactions as well as for broader global deals. The team regularly acts on complex sponsor-led private equity transactions and has a wealth of experience on the full investment life-cycle, including acquisition finance, securities, tax and funds. Its versatile range embraces strengths in the energy, resources and financial services spaces in addition to the agribusiness, healthcare and infrastructure sectors.

The Ashurst corporate and M&A team represents the Australian arm of a global corporate practice that is respected for its proven track record in the handling of large-scale transactions for household-name multinationals. The team regularly advises leading private equity houses and financial institutions across a range of issues from initial investments to exits. It is prized for its innovative transaction structures, in-depth knowledge of key industrial and business sectors, and a comprehensive international and regional service which includes a noted focus on China and Japan-related work.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth offers an independent practice with a high cross-border capability, frequently selected to represent multinational clients in significant transactions, especially inbound foreign investments, and particularly well-equipped to tackle China-related mandates. The team acts for domestic and international private equity firms and investee companies on complex transactions and exits. It is noted for its familiarity with such heavily regulated sectors as mining, life sciences and TMT and is prominently active in the hostile takeover sphere and in the representation of alternative capital providers.

Baker McKenzie fields an enviable cross-border capability, frequently attracting blue-chip multinationals in addition to leading Australian public and private sector entities. The team is proficient at providing strategic advice on both the buy and sell sides of cross-border M&A transactions. It provides an integrated multidisciplinary service with noted proficiency in the energy, technology and healthcare sectors, and is regularly praised for its attention to customer service. It frequently acts for state-based pension funds and traditional private equity firms on Asia-wide and US deals as well as on inbound investments.

Johnson Winter Slattery presents a versatile, independent offering, sought out both by leading Australian corporates and by foreign-based multinationals engaged in Australian transactions. It is notably active on public M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions and is especially prized for its commitment to hands-on partner involvement, high standards of service and long-term client relationships. The firm is highly active in the energy and resources, financial services, healthcare and infrastructure spheres, and is also a regular recipient of inbound referrals.

MinterEllison offers impressive Australasian coverage, bolstered by offices in China and London, facilitating the support of cross-jurisdictional transactions. It is active on both public takeovers and privatisations and is noted for its adept handling of energy and resources, financial services, and technology and telecommunications mandates. The team advises a significant number of domestic and regional private equity firms on substantial transactions. It is further noted for close attention to client objectives, including assistance in the identification of transactional risk and the development of negotiation strategies.

A&O Shearman maintains a well-established practice with a talent for handling complex cross-border transactions, integrating domestic expertise with both a substantial regional presence and the wider global network. The firm acts regularly for renowned multinationals and leading domestic players on multi-jurisdictional transactions and investments, as well as for inbound investors into Australasia, particularly from Asia. It maintains a particularly high profile in the energy and resources, financial services and infrastructure spheres.

The Clifford Chance team forms the Australian arm of a worldwide network, experienced in the management of high value, high profile mandates for market-leading multinationals. It possesses strong expertise in foreign investment regulations for inbound investors and those operating in the global energy and resources sector. The team is further noted for its ability to integrate competition and foreign investment regulatory-related advice into its transactional support service where required. It advises on both public M&A and private equity transactions, and counts prominent private equity firms among its clients.

DLA Piper maintains a respected practice that is well-placed to advise an international clientele on prominent, multi-jurisdictional matters. The team is valued for its depth of resources and for its venture capital expertise, particularly within the technology sector and disruptive industries. It acts for an impressive list of prominent private equity firms and other private investors, as well as major corporate clients.

Jones Day's well-regarded Australian arm of its global M&A practice is acknowledged for its profile in the domestic market and prized by clients for access to the firm's international resources. It is notably active on transactions in the energy and natural resources, financial services and technology sectors, and frequently recommended for deals involving US-based participants. It leverages the firm's substantial international footprint to offer cross-border M&A expertise.

As part of a global practice, the Norton Rose Fulbright team offers a correspondingly high capability for cross-jurisdictional mandates. The team assists clients on substantial transactions and is particularly noted for expertise in the energy and resources, health and pharmaceutical, technology and infrastructure sectors. It also demonstrates experience in private equity matters, with extensive expertise acting for foreign private equity funds on inbound investments and domestic funds on exits through IPOs.

Mills Oakley has a respected team focused on mid-market transactions and operating across a broad range of sectors, including the digital, health and technology spheres. It is frequently engaged by clients to advise on corporate acquisitions, mergers, investments and sales.

Thomson Geer provides pan-Australian coverage from offices in five cities and a high level of hands-on partner involvement in domestic and cross-border transactions, winning praise for its supportive engagement with clients and commitment to cost-competitive staffing. It acts for a wide range of clients from large multinational corporations to family-owned businesses and is particularly noted for its representation of startups in the new technology sphere, while also prominently acting for clients in the energy, resources and healthcare sectors.

Kain Lawyers has a well-reputed M&A offering, servicing clients from its Adelaide headquarters as well as its Sydney and Melbourne offices. The team regularly handles financing and a wide range of M&A transactions for corporates and investment firms. It is also well-equipped to tackle private equity transactions. The law firm is sought out by clients from a wide range of sectors, including the technology, energy and telecommunications industries.

McCullough Robertson commands widespread approval for its excellent handling of small to mid-cap transactions in the Queensland market, often assisted by its expertise in the energy and resources and agribusiness sectors. The team is noted for its well-established relationships with clients operating in the coal mining, oil and gas, TMT and life sciences spheres. It is a popular, independent choice for an international clientele and referrals from overseas firms.

White & Case's Australian offering is supported by its wider international network of offices, equipping it with strong cross-border capabilities. The team has notable experience working with natural resources and energy-sector clients, advising on corporate sales and negotiating and executing merger and acquisition agreements.