Ranking tables

Corporate/M&A | Global

Australia

The Corporate/M&A rankings table below has been designed to provide the most in-depth insights and reviews of the top ranked lawyers and law firms. The firms included in our rankings have been recommended by in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers. Our comprehensive research ensures you have all the information needed when looking to purchase legal services across Australia.

Rankings overview for Departments

1

Band 1

  1. Gilbert + Tobin
    Gilbert + Tobin 21 Years Ranked
  2. Allens
  3. Herbert Smith Freehills
  4. King & Wood Mallesons
3

Band 3

  1. A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman 14 Years Ranked
  2. Baker McKenzie
    Baker McKenzie 28 Years Ranked
  3. Arnold Bloch Leibler
  4. Johnson Winter Slattery
  5. MinterEllison
5

Band 5

  1. Clifford Chance
    Clifford Chance 17 Years Ranked
  2. Maddocks
  3. Mills Oakley
6

Band 6

  1. Dentons 9 Years Ranked
  2. Squire Patton Boggs 1 Years Ranked
  3. Hamilton Locke
  4. Lander & Rogers
  5. McCullough Robertson
  6. Talbot Sayer
  7. Thomson Geer

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Gilbert + Tobin
    1
    Gilbert + Tobin
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 1 | 21 Years Ranked
    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. Key clients include Afterpay, Atlas Arteria and TPG Capital.
  2. Allens
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 1
  3. Herbert Smith Freehills
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 1
  4. King & Wood Mallesons
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Corrs Chambers Westgarth
    2
    Corrs Chambers Westgarth
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 2 | 26 Years Ranked
    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. Key clients include Mercury Capital, Hancock Energy and One Rail Australia.
  2. Ashurst
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 2
  3. Clayton Utz
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. A&O Shearman
    3
    A&O Shearman
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 3 | 14 Years Ranked
    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. Key clients include Citigroup Global Markets, Peninsula Energy and Dexus. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.
  2. Baker McKenzie
    3
    Baker McKenzie
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 3 | 28 Years Ranked
    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. Notable clients include Norwest Venture Partners, Sev.en Global Investments and Emerson Electric.
  3. Arnold Bloch Leibler
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 3
  4. Johnson Winter Slattery
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 3
  5. MinterEllison
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. DLA Piper Australia
    4
    DLA Piper Australia
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 4 | 17 Years Ranked
    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. Notable clients include BlackRock Financial Management, Leidos and Aspen Technology.
  2. Jones Day
    4
    Jones Day
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    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. Key clients include Mirae Asset Global Investments, UPL and Westpac Banking Corporation.
  3. Norton Rose Fulbright
    4
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 4 | 19 Years Ranked
    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. Notable clients include Sandvik, GPT Group and Tokyo Gas.
5

Band 5

  1. Clifford Chance
    5
    Clifford Chance
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 5 | 17 Years Ranked
    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. Recent clients include AC Newco, MotorOne and Partners Group.
  2. Maddocks
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 5
  3. Mills Oakley
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 5
6

Band 6

  1. 6
    Dentons
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 6 | 9 Years Ranked
    This team is the Australian arm of Dentons' worldwide corporate practice, combining a significant national and regional presence with an ability to coordinate transactions across multiple jurisdictions. The team is highly experienced in the handling of deals in the health, life sciences, and energy and resources sectors, and is particularly well placed to advise on matters involving Papua New Guinea. Key clients include Ardonagh Group, PerkinElmer and Montem Resources.
  2. 6
    Squire Patton Boggs
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 6 | 1 Years Ranked
    The Australian arm of Squire Patton Boggs' global practice offers expertise in acquisitions, takeovers and sales for companies and high net worth individuals, catering to Australian and US clients, as well as international clients from the UK, Japan and other jurisdictions. Their client base spans sectors including technology, energy and natural resources and manufacturing, notable clients including Theiss, Sezzle and Live Nation.
  3. Hamilton Locke
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 6
  4. Lander & Rogers
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 6
  5. McCullough Robertson
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 6
  6. Talbot Sayer
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 6
  7. Thomson Geer
    Corporate/M&A
    2024 | Band 6