Competition/Antitrust

King & Wood Mallesons fields a well-staffed, comprehensive competition/antitrust offering with global reach and a particularly impressive, fully integrated regional network, noted for its engagement with large, complex mandates. The firm's merger clearance experience extends to the representation of major multinational clients on the acquisition of Australian targets, and the litigation practice frequently acts on high-profile prosecutions, including cartel cases. The team is notably active on behalf of blue-chip clients from the financial services, pharmaceutical, resources and telecommunications sectors and adept in the handling of access issues and other matters in the energy and infrastructure spaces. A conspicuously loyal clientele benefits from the firm's in-depth knowledge of the ACCC, state and Commonwealth regulatory bodies and industry associations. Members of that clientele include Royal Bank of Scotland, Department of Defence and Bristol Myers Squibb.

"The team provides strategic advice on some of our most important M&A transactions. Cost management is also great, clearly scoping their engagement with no surprises on fees. They are a very highly regarded team; one of the best (if not the best) in the market."

"They have a lot of experience with dealing with the ACCC. The quality of the strategic advice is always solid. They understand the business the most."

King & Wood Mallesons advised Alliance Aviation Services in relation to competition clearance of Qantas' proposed AUD614 million acquisition of the shares in Alliance it did not already own.

Caroline Coops, based in Melbourne, advises across the competition and consumer law spectrum, being particularly well known for her handling of challenging mandates involving ACCC investigation or prosecution. "Caroline Coops is very good; she's exceptional." "Caroline is the intellectual leader of the practice."

Luke Woodward is active across the contentious, regulatory and transactional spaces, advising global clients on major criminal cartel prosecutions, ACCC investigations and merger control. He is based in Sydney and leads the King & Wood Mallesons competition team. "Luke provides insights and a level of sophistication that others can't."

Peta Stevenson is based in Sydney and frequently assists clients with complex, high-profile regulatory disputes and enforcement proceedings. "Peta particularly has stood out with regard to responsiveness and enthusiasm dealing with issues quickly and effectively. She's in the top echelon of strategic thinking and expertise." "She's approachable and good at understanding the issue and good at connecting people."

Wayne Leach is based in the Sydney office and advises a diverse, frequently blue-chip client base on major regulatory inquiries and merger clearance mandates. "I was very impressed by his client service and ability." "Wayne is very helpful, thorough, and pragmatic. A lot of competition lawyers are quite academic, but he is able to explain things in the client's terms." "He has been lead partner on our work for an extended period and is trusted and valued." "Key strengths of Wayne in particular are just how open and receptive he is to what we need and what the ask is and making sure he is able to give exactly what we need. That level of openness of feedback is pretty unique."

Lisa Huett combines a busy ACCC investigatory and consumer protection practice with well-honed global merger control capabilities.