Banking & Finance: Property Finance - Australia
What the team is known for
Herbert Smith Freehills is renowned for its full-service practice with high-quality capabilities across the sector. The banking and finance team has notable experience on asset leasing matters combined with well-honed expertise acting on high-value real estate development and corporate financing and refinancing arrangements, acting for borrowers and lenders. The team has further expertise representing borrowers in relation to acquisition financings. The law firm also operates on complex cross-border financing, leveraging its broader global presence to assist multinational clients. Key clients include UBS, Deutsche Bank and Ampol.
Strengths
"The depth of the team has been excellent and they have shown true breadth of knowledge and experience."
"The team were always available and responded immediately. They drove the negotiations forward during periods of difficulty and did so with an excellent level of professionalism. The quality of the work was top-notch."
Work highlights
Herbert Smith Freehills negotiated QIC's new syndicated facility agreement, which links into a common terms deed with a syndicate of Australian and overseas lenders and bilateral lenders to refinance existing syndicated facilities and to recapitalise its core real estate fund.
Herbert Smith Freehills advised Export Finance Australia on its multi-jurisdiction USD1.33 billion financing of Telstra’s USD1.6 billion acquisition of Digicel Pacific.
Notable practitioners
John Angus is positioned at the forefront of the asset finance and leasing market and has considerable experience in aviation finance. "He's an exceptional lawyer who is great to work with." "John's many years of experience and deep knowledge of our business shines through in the service and expertise he provides."
Hayley Neilson enjoys a strong reputation for acquisition finance, especially in private equity financing transactions, and regularly acts on complex matters.
Melita Cottrell is recognised for her expertise in major property finance matters and regularly acts for large funds, REITs, major banks and other investors.
