Private Equity | 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.