Best Lawyers in Australia for Corporate Law

James is the leader of our Public M&A and Equity Capital Markets practice. He is a current member of the Australian Takeovers Panel and has extensive experience working in top-tier corporate law firms in Australia and London. James’ experience includes leading the Kain teams advising: SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on its proposed acquisition by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) (a subsidiary of Wesfarmers (ASX:WES)) by way of scheme of arrangement for approximately $180m; Ke...

Gerry is the leader of our M&A (Private) and Equity Capital Markets (Private) practices. He has been advising on capital raising transactions, mergers and acquisitions and capital structuring for over 30 years in key financial markets including Sydney, Hong Kong and London. He is a trusted advisor to our clients. Gerry’s experience includes leading the Kain teams advising: sportsmed on the sale of their hospital to Burnside War Memorial Hospital; SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on its ...

Sarah is an experienced Transactions lawyer who is valued by clients for her attention to detail, commercial acumen and dedication to achieving the best commercial outcome for them. Sarah’s transactional experience includes; Advising Best Doors and Reliance Doors on their business sale to Swiss listed company Dormakaba; Advising sportsmed on the sale of their hospital to Burnside War Memorial Hospital; Leading the due diligence team in relation to Kelsian Group’s (ASX:KLS) $698m (...

Brett Cowell is a founding partner and the Chairman of Cowell Clarke and is a Director of the firm’s Corporate and Commercial team. Brett’s passion for science, technology, and innovation has enabled him to support corporate and business clients in growing and protecting their tangible and intellectual property assets. Brett has very broad-based experience, with a particular interest in advanced manufacturing, defence, ICT, life sciences and technology businesses on a national and...

Glenn is a principal in the firm’s corporate practice. Glenn provides advice to public and private entities throughout Australia on a full range of corporate and business law issues. This includes capital raisings, listings, mergers by acquisition and schemes of arrangement, ASIC, ASX and legislative compliance, capital reductions and other securities issues and transactions. He acts for large and medium sized corporates, both listed and unlisted, providing advice on a full range of bus...

James is a corporate practitioner with significant experience in corporate transactions, corporate governance, directors’ duties and compliance with the Corporations Act, ASIC requirements and ASX Listing Rules. His practice has a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions, takeovers (both for bidders and targets), IPOs, other capital raisings and corporate structuring and reconstructions. James also focuses on financial services, including financial services licensing, registered and unr...

Tim is a corporate and commercial lawyer with particular expertise in mergers and acquisitions and equity raising, and with technical knowledge and experience in tax and accounting. He acts for numerous public companies and regularly advises on initial public offerings, rights issues and formal takeovers. In addition to transactional work, Tim has a keen interest and understanding of the regulatory environment and advises extensively on all aspects of the Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rule...

Eugene has over 28 years’ experience practising corporate and commercial law. Eugene’s range of industry experience includes energy (particularly renewable energy) and resources projects, mining services, agribusiness, manufacturing, private equity, financial services, technology commercialisation, property development, and franchising. Eugene’s areas of expertise are: Corporate finance – equity capital markets, public market floats, securities and financial services l...

Michael leads our growth activity, combining his product, market and client experience. He is an experienced corporate lawyer who has advised some of Australia’s biggest corporates and funds on their most complex and strategically critical transactions. Michael’s practice includes advising on corporate mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, alternative asset fund establishment and deployment as well as foreign investment and financial services advice. Michael has a particular f...

Scott Gibson practises in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, corporate, reconstructions and commercial law. He has a wide range of experience in all forms of mergers and acquisitions (both public and private) as well as initial public offerings, secondary raisings and general corporate and ASX Listing Rule matters. Scott also has significant private equity and joint venture experience. Scott advises on all forms of change of control transactions, general corporate ...

Jeremy is briefed to advise and appear across a wide range of matters. He appears at trial and on appeal, frequently in complex commercial causes. In addition to commercial causes, Jeremy often appears in regulatory proceedings arising under the Corporations Act 2001 and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Jeremy regularly appears in the Supreme Court of NSW, particularly in the Commercial List, other State Supreme Courts, the Federal Court, the NSW Land & Environment Court, and appeal...

Mark is a specialist banking and finance lawyer with over 30 years’ experience. He advises and acts primarily in matters involving corporate lending, loan syndication, Corporations Act compliance and commercial contracts. Mark also advises on privacy issues relating to the Privacy Amendment (Privacy Sector) Act 2000. Mark has extensive experience in public listed company transactions and has provided advice on a wide range of matters to a number of high profile companies and government ...

John is a senior corporate and commercial lawyer who has specialised in technology and intellectual property law for over 25 years. He is a partner in the Corporate and Commercial team at Hall & Wilcox. John advises clients on commercial transactions and legal disputes in the fields of IT, telecommunications and media. His expertise covers all the legal issues associated with the use of technology in business and government, including licensing, privacy and data protection, copyright, bra...

Paul specialises in contract, property, infrastructure, maritime and commercial transaction law with particular emphasis on ports and harbours, maritime and sea trade ventures, shipping, port and waterfront asset sales and acquisitions, transport industry due diligence, port operational risk management, major port development and infrastructure projects, complex terminal management, operating and leasing transactions, contract drafting, negotiations and statutory interpretation. Paul also has...

As a highly skilled commercial lawyer Tim advises clients on efficient and effective business structures that facilitate access to the capital necessary for growth or acquisition. Capital Structuring extends to business restructuring whether solvent or insolvent and to enable generational business succession or exit. Tim provides pragmatic advice that has seen him develop key client relationships across a range of industries including manufacturing, construction, agri-business, technology, to...

Michael is a Partner in HopgoodGanim Lawyers' Corporate practice with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings, due diligence, takeovers, joint ventures, corporate restructuring and private equity transactions. Michael is also the co-lead of our Asia Business Unit and in this role he predominantly works with Asia-based clients investing in Australian corporations. Michael has a specific interest in working with clients to achieve great deal outcomes in the resources, technology...

John has more than 25 years’ experience as a corporate and commercial lawyer. Having worked on deals in Australasia, Europe and the United States, John has extensive corporate and funds transactional experience. Primarily, his work has focused on property fund mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings and secondary capital raisings, fund restructurings, and the launch of wholesale and retail syndicates and joint ventures. He has substantial experience in structuring, managing a...

Daniel is a principal in the firm’s transactions practice. He acts on mergers & acquisitions, corporate and commercial matters for a broad range of business clients, ranging from SMEs to some of the largest businesses in South Australia. He works across a variety of industry sectors, including financial services, property, energy and resources and manufacturing. Daniel regularly leads projects involving: share, asset, business and property sales and purchases; corporate structuring ...

Bianca specialises in mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment and corporate governance. In addition, her practice involves providing general corporate and commercial advice to clients throughout the lifecycle of their businesses. She has positioned herself as a trusted advisor to a variety of Australian and international clients ranging from private family businesses and not for profits to large corporates and fund managers. Her clients appreciate her pragmatic strategic approach and abi...

Consistently ranked by clients and peers as a leading corporate lawyer, Kain Lawyers’ founder and Managing Director has over 25 years’ experience in M&A and equity capital markets law. John’s experience ranges across private equity, capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. His experience in advising public and private companies and investment funds has seen him consistently ranked by the AFR’s ‘Best Lawyers in Australia’ and Doyles Guide as a leadi...

Peter is a principal in the firm’s corporate practice. He provides advice on the full range of corporate transactions including capital raisings, contested and friendly takeover bids and schemes of arrangement. Peter has held numerous company secretarial roles for ASX companies and is experienced in managing the daily head office needs of small, medium and large businesses. Peter regularly leads projects involving: gas transport and marketing; acquisitions and divestments; capital marke...

Martin is a leading projects, infrastructure and finance lawyer and national head of the firm’s Projects, Infrastructure & Construction practice team and Energy team. Martin regularly advises developers, government and contractors in relation to major infrastructure, defence and energy projects, joint ventures and business structuring. He also works closely with sponsors and financial institutions on project finance and development transactions. Recently, Martin has acted on the dev...

Mark has practised the full spectrum of business and corporate law for more than 34 years. He is one of the firm’s founding name Directors and is a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business Law. His practice concentrates on the areas of contract and commercial law, contract negotiation and drafting, as well as enforcement and compliance strategies. His practice has involved all manner of business-related matters, ranging from advising on the placement of high-end Cray computers ...

Tony has been the Hall & Wilcox Managing Partner since 2007. He is well recognised in the legal sector and has led the firm through a period of substantial growth and success. Tony won Managing Partner of the Year at the Australian Law Awards in 2017 and 2015 (and was a finalist in 2014 and 2016). He was also a finalist for Law Firm Leader at the Australasian Law Awards in 2017. Tony won the Law Institute of Victoria Managing Partner of the Year Award in 2009. Tony, as Managing Partner of...

Malcolm is a corporate and commercial lawyer with over 20 years experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and commercial contracts. He has a particular specialisation in technology and intellectual property and has extensive cross-border experience. Malcolm has experience in a range of industries including manufacturing, FMCG, information technology, food and agribusiness and life sciences. Malcolm has been ranked by Chambers Global, Chambers Asia Pacific, Asia Pacific Legal 500...

Wally is recognised as one of Australia’s leading practitioners with many years’ experience in advising major corporate and Government clients. He joined Piper Alderman from a large Australian law firm where he had previously held a number of senior positions including the national positions of Departmental Managing Partner, Corporate and Chairman, Energy and Resources Group. Throughout his career, Wally has acted on matters involving complex multinational mergers and acquisitions...

Melanie currently works in the Corporate and Commercial team at Thomson Geer, with a particular focus on Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Finance. Melanie has practices in international law firms in Australia and Hong Kong, specialising in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate finance, financial regulation and company commercial law.

A Partner with HopgoodGanim for more than 25 years, Brian leads our Corporate practice. Brian specialises in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring, and has acted on numerous transactions and capital raisings in both the industrial and resources and energy sectors. Brian is Non-Executive Chairman of Aus Tin Mining Ltd (ASX:ANW), Lithium Consolidated Mineral Exploration (ASX:LI3) and Platina Resources Limited (ASX:PGM), and Non-Executive Director of DGR Global Lt...

Luke Mountford leads HopgoodGanim Lawyers as Managing Partner and also leads our Private Enterprise practice, working predominantly with HG Private clients advising on their corporate and commercial legal matters. Luke has a significant experience base advising on business succession, structuring, and mergers and acquisitions. His clients include private and family owned businesses, agribusiness clients, indigenous businesses and high wealth individuals. He has a particular interest in family...

Matthew has over 25 years of China and Asia-Pacific legal and business experience, focusing on Intellectual Property (prosecution, litigation and transactions), Corporate (M&A) and International Trade. Matthew has been listed as a leading corporate/IP lawyer by various publishers and directories, and is an arbitrator (MCIArb) with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, the Beijing Arbitration Commission, Asian International Arbitration Centre, CIETAC, the Maldives International A...

Michele is a Partner in our Corporate practice and he has practised exclusively in corporate law for the duration of his legal career. Michele has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions, including the negotiation of significant commercial contracts and agreements. While Michele has led a large number of transactions in the resources and energy sector, Michele also advises heavily in the technology and media sector to national and international client...

Harry is the lead partner of the Hall & Wilcox financial services practice .Harry's practice focuses extensively on financial services, corporate advisory and general corporate and commercial work. Harry has represented a number of listed public companies, large private companies and government organisations. His clients include all types of financial services businesses, including responsible entities, financial planners, superannuation funds, investment advisers, insurance brokers, corp...

Ed’s practice covers private mergers & acquisitions (both local and international), with particular specialism in mid-market deals in Australia, distressed M&A and inbound international transactions. Ed has significant experience running large projects including company establishment, corporate restructures and succession for large family groups. Ed has advised on over 200 M&A transactions including acting for buyers and sellers across a range of sectors in share sales, busi...

Darren is a corporate partner with more than 20 years’ experience (including five years in London) in all aspects of a range of corporate transactions, including: mergers and acquisitions – private acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, partnerships, off-market takeovers, schemes of arrangements, capital reductions, restructures and share buy-backs equity capital markets – IPOs, delistings, capital raisings and rights issues funds management – advising on and esta...

Nicole is a Partner in our Corporate practice with a focus on corporate structuring, due diligence and corporate governance, capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions and takeover defences. Nicole acts for public and private companies and private equity investors across a range of industries including resources, property, agribusiness, retail and the services sector. She also acts for some of Queensland’s most prominent sporting enterprises. Nicole is recommended by Doyle’s Guide...

Andrew is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience. He regularly works with domestic and international clients on mergers & acquisitions, capital raisings, competition law and Australian regulatory compliance matters. Andrew advises both private companies and publicly listed companies and has particularly strong experience in acting for those in the financial services, healthcare, aged care and agribusiness sectors. Prior to joining Piper Al...

Loretta Reynolds has been a Partner of the firm since 1998 and was elected Chair in 2007. While her main focus is on her funds management/mergers & acquisitions practice, she also has executive responsibility for client development and relationships in all markets. Loretta is individually recognised in Chambers Asia Pacific (2013, 2014 – 2016) in the Private Equity category for her “ extensive experience in fund formation, handling of buyouts, and work for superannuation funds...

Matthew Reynolds is a Partner in Thomson Geer’s Corporate & M&A team. Matthew’s key areas of focus are mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets, private equity and corporate advisory. He has particular expertise advising clients in the energy and resources, technology, health, agriculture, construction, infrastructure, retail and manufacturing sectors. Recent Experience Includes: Advising eCargo Holdings Limited (ASX:ECG) ( ECG ) on its acquisition of 85% ...

Ian is a corporate, commercial, media and regulatory lawyer who advises a wide range of Australian and overseas clients with particular emphasis on the media, advertising, automotive and renewable energy industries, as well as government departments and agencies. His recent experience includes: public policy, public sector governance, and regulatory issues including as the Chair and Deputy Chair of State and Commonwealth statutory agencies advising global car manufacturers on Australian regul...

Tony has more than 25 years' significant experience in commercial transactions, including public and private infrastructure. Tony acts for clients in a range of sectors, including government services, property development, construction and defence. Tony has a particular interest and depth of experience in major projects, joint ventures, and infrastructure and development projects. He has advised clients on many of the major residential and commercial developments in South Australia. Tony is a...

Hugh has extensive experience in corporate and commercial law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, capital raisings, managed investment schemes and financial services. His practice includes working on takeovers, schemes of arrangement, venture capital and private equity deals, infrastructure investments, privatisations, prospectuses, underwritings and managed funds, and advising clients with a mutual structure.

David is a specialist mergers & acquisitions and equity capital markets lawyer, who prides himself on delivering successful outcomes for his clients. He is highly sought after for his commitment to, and passion for, providing service of the highest quality. In addition to public and private M&A and capital markets, he is also experienced in joint ventures, corporate and commercial advisory and corporate governance across a number of sectors, including technology, retail, professional ...

John is a practical and outcome focussed transactional lawyer known for his approachability, can-do attitude and commercial nous combined with a profound understanding of the law. With more than 30 years’ experience, his work spans capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions (regulated and unregulated), companies and securities regulation, major commercial transactions, joint ventures and resources projects. John is independently ranked on a consistent basis as one of the top corporate a...

Simon is a respected corporate and commercial lawyer with extensive expertise on a broad range of transactional and advisory matters. He acts for Australian and international corporations, fund managers, high net worth family offices and private clients. He has been involved in many corporate projects including asset and share sales and acquisitions, equity capital raisings and diligence investigations. He has drafted and negotiated a broad range of commercial documentation including Governme...

Brian is an experienced Corporate and Transactions lawyer who has advised high profile clients on public and private M&A transactions, corporate restructures, debt financing, major projects and complex and strategically critical transactions. Brian specialises in private and public M&A, capital raisings, debt financing, major infrastructure projects, social and affordable housing and strategic commercial transactions. Brian’s experience includes advising: Kelsian Group (ASX:KLS)...

Annabel West is a Special Counsel in the corporate team in Adelaide. She specialises in corporations and securities law, with a principal focus on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, capital raisings and corporate advisory work. Annabel has extensive experience in managing corporate transactions for a wide range of local and international clients in diverse industries, from listed companies, private equity funds and government owned corporations, to SMEs and not for profits. Her experie...

Stephen is the practice leader of the intellectual property and technology practice at WRP Legal and Advisory. Stephen advises on a broad range of intellectual property and technology matters, including intellectual property commercialisation, brand protection, technology transactions and other related matters, such as trade marks, copyright, confidential information, financial services, privacy, and competition and consumer law. Stephen’s practice includes working with ASX-listed compa...