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. Notable clients include Sydney Airport, Morrison & Co and Blackstone.

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.

Clayton Utz maintains an exceptional offering of skills across Australia and is well equipped due to its close relationships with international firms to represent offshore clients on inbound mandates. The firm is prominent in the energy and resources and financial services sectors and widely acknowledged for its excellent handling of interactions with state and Commonwealth government agencies. It is also strong on private equity matters and able to draw on capabilities in related areas such as capital markets, investment funds and tax to provide a comprehensive offering for private equity firms. The firm is additionally noted for its ability to provide the fullest suite of supporting disciplines, particularly where assistance with the navigation of the regulatory environment is concerned. It is proficient on both the bidder and target sides of public M&A transactions as well as global joint ventures. Prominent clients include Brookfield Corporation, Olympus Corporation and Senex Energy.

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.

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.

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.

MinterEllison offers impressive Australasian coverage, bolstered by offices in China, Mongolia and London, facilitating the support of cross-jurisdictional transactions. It is active on both public takeovers and privatisations and 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. Notable clients include Dai-ichi Life, Slater & Gordon and Liberty Hall Capital Partners.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Key clients include Oscars Group, Australian Pacific Coal and Auctus Investment Group.

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.

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.

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. Noted clients include Genesis Minerals, DHL Supply Chain and Incannex Healthcare.