Banking & Finance: Acquisition Finance - Australia
What the team is known for
Clayton Utz has a considerable reputation for acquisition financing arrangements and the refinancing of corporate facilities. The banking team advises a variety of borrowers and financiers on the financing of property acquisitions and developments with complex and cross-jurisdictional elements. The firm acts on large-scale domestic and cross-border financing for an impressive list of banking, investment and brokerage clients. It offers clients a full range of integrated services across the commercial and front-end banking practice areas to support clients on major LBO, MBO and IPO mandates. Its key clients include Blackstone, New Forests and Clean Energy Finance.
Strengths
"The team work very hard and are very responsive to emails and requests for phone meetings. The partner values the relationship and is not solely focused on billable hours."
"Clayton Utz has the necessary mix of technical skills and knowledge and extensive experience across the firm. Clayton Utz was able to provide timely advice and understand the commercial drivers of the deal."
Work highlights
Clayton Utz advised Goldman Sachs, as arranger and underwriter, and the lender syndicate on its AUD675 million multicurrency facilities to AUB, including for the acquisition of Tysers from Odyssey Investment Partners.
The firm also acted for National Australia Bank as agent and two bank syndicates in relation to the concurrent and linked refinancing of Spotlight's two existing retail and property syndicated facilities agreements.
Notable practitioners
Alex Schlosser offers expertise in both acquisition and corporate finance. His clientele includes private equity firms, major banks and corporate borrowers.
Kathy Santikos enjoys a strong reputation for property finance work, particularly for matters involving cross-border aspects. "Kathy has been able to drive negotiation results and pin down issues that lead to favourable outcomes. Kathy has always been responsive and considerate to the client's situation." "She offers great service and outstanding commercial knowledge on risk allocation between financiers and borrowers."
