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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Maddocks stands out for its mid-market focus, ready access to partners and close attention to client service, and adept handling of technically complex matters. Its comprehensive sector coverage includes prominent activity in the agriculture, healthcare and retail sectors and is backed by the ability to advise on related commercial and taxation issues. The team offers niche expertise in the representation of the founders of companies looking to sell off all or a majority stake to private equity sponsors. It is active advising listed companies on multi-jurisdictional acquisitions and also represents notable private equity outfits in acquisitions and disposals.

Mills Oakley has a respected team in Melbourne, bolstered by its merger with Clarendon Lawyers. The team is 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.

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.