Banking & Finance: Australia

Respected practitioner Chris Robertson has amassed over 20 years' experience advising on domestic and cross-border banking and finance transactions. He advised Standard Chartered Bank as the arranger and lender of a USD1 billion facility for the Adani Group's acquisition of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal in Queensland.

Jason Huinink acted for Leighton Holdings on a transaction which involved a syndicated revolving master lease purchase agreement arranged by ANZ in connection with the financing for new mining equipment in Indonesia. 

Managing partner Grant Fuzi earns solid praise from market observers for his standout, all-round finance expertise. His practice encompasses corporate, leveraged and project finance. 

Adam Stapledon is a name to watch, according to market feedback.

Andrew Thomas is qualified in both Australia and England and Wales, and focuses on advising banks and companies on cross-border restructurings, as well as representing borrowers and banks on international leveraged finance transactions.

The universally respected Diccon Loxton has recently assumed the mantle of senior counsel. With his vast experience, he provides guidance and advice on the most complex of corporate, leveraged and structured finance transactions. He was also involved with the Attorney General's Department in relation to the drafting of the Personal Properties Securities Act.

Alan Maxton is particularly noted for his acquisition and asset finance skills. He continues to consolidate his reputation in the market, with one source noting: “It was really down to his commercial awareness that he was able to see the deal through and understand what we wanted to achieve.” His clients include a range of financial institutions, both borrowers and lenders, including Macquarie Bank and Meridian International Capital.

Phillip Cornwell remains highly regarded amongst commentators, particularly for his project, acquisition and all-round corporate finance skills. His recent work includes advising UBS on the financing of Archer Capital's purchase of a controlling stake in the motorsport group V8 Supercars.

Andrew Boxall is especially well regarded in property finance, and more generally the financing around infrastructure projects, with one client enthusing: “He is excellent and owns the financing space." He counts Suncorp Metway and Westpac amongst his high-profile clients.

Richard Gordon is held in high esteem by his clients, who explained that “having worked for sponsors and banks, he can provide sensible advice which can bring about a good outcome for all parties.” Gordon has handled a number of high-value matters in the past year, including acting for the banks, such as UBS Investment Bank, on the provision of financing for Whitehaven's merger with Aston Resources and the acquisition of Boardwalk Resources.

Reflective of Ian Wallace's depth of knowledge in overseeing complicated and innovative asset finance transactions, he has attracted an impressive roster of domestic and international banks and major corporate borrowers who seek access to his wealth of expertise. 

New to the list, Jason Morris is singled out by one source, saying: “He is very capable, organised and thorough in the way he considers the legal implications for his clients.” He has been especially active in property and construction financing together with restructuring transactions.

Marcus Clark has a great deal of experience in working on deals involving Thailand, and recently represented MGPA in its acquisition of an interest in Evolution Capital, a property developer listed on the Thai stock exchange.

Stephen Sharp heads the banking and finance group and is noted by sources as “an exceptionally commercial and experienced banking and finance lawyer.” He is particularly sought after for his property finance skills and counts Telstra Super amongst his clients. He recently advised BOS International on its financing of the RCL Group and the transfer of debt from RCL Group to Torchlight Real Estate Fund.

Ben Mahoney's versatile skills include advising on debt and equity financings and restructuring transactions. He was lead adviser to an international consortium including Goldman Sachs on the AUD415 million takeover of the Redcape Property Fund by way of schemes of arrangement and recapitalisation.

Paul Rubenstein attracts praise from the market: "He has seen a lot of deals and has an intelligent and strong business sense. He definitely adds value.” He advised Syncora Guarantee and FGIC UK as financial guarantors to the creditors of Reliance Rail with regard to Reliance Rail's restructure.

Martin Coleman is considered one of the foremost lawyers in the market, particularly on the corporate and acquisition finance fronts. His notable work includes acting for Merlin Entertainments regarding the financing of its acquisition of Australia Leisure Group, a deal which also involved English law elements.

The greatly admired John Field continues to attract glowing praise from market observers. He heads the project, asset and structured finance division, areas in which he is considered pre-eminent.

Timothy Lipscombe is unanimously well respected amongst sources. Over the past year, he advised on a number of high-value property finance transactions.

Shawn Wytenburg has held a leading position on acquisition and leveraged finance transactions for over 20 years, and he remains a popular choice amongst leading banks and other financial institutions.

Whilst being based in Sydney, Robert Ritchie spends part of his year in Hong Kong and Macau. He is particularly valued for his track record in the corporate and project finance spaces.

Well respected amongst his clients and peers, Steve Smith continues to impress, taking the lead on domestic and cross-border acquisition, project and corporate finance transactions. He advised a syndicate of lenders on the debt-for-equity swap undertaken for the Godfreys Group, thereby avoiding receivers being appointed.

Tim O'Doherty is valued by clients for his ability to provide comprehensive solutions on complex transactions. He is particularly adept on property and project financing and his notable work includes representing Host Hotels & Resorts (a US real estate investment group) in the refinancing of the debt of HHR Conventions by way of an AUD82 million term loan facility.

Sean Rush recently joined the group, bringing considerable international project and acquisition finance expertise. Lately he acted for the Singapore branch of ICICI Bank, as part of a syndicate, on the provision of a facility to Lanco Resources International and Lanco Resources Australia, which would be used, in part, for the acquisition of Griffin Coal and Carpenter Mine Management.

Graeme Gurney, who heads the Sydney practice group, is a prominent name in the profession, particularly in property financing. He has handled a number of complex property financing and refinancing matters in the past year and counts Macquarie Bank and Deutsche Bank amongst his clients.

Geoff Geha has taken the lead on a number of the year's notable corporate and leveraged finance transactions, one example being advising CHAMP on the leveraged financing of its acquisition of oOh!media by way of a scheme of arrangement.

Paul Gatward's versatile practice encompasses corporate, acquisition and property finance. He acted on the Collins Foods matter alongside Alex Schlosser and also counts ANZ and a number of property funds amongst his clients. 

Bruce Cooper heads the project finance team and has a particular focus on acquisitions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. His notable work includes advising the project company, Australia Pacific LNG, on the USD8.5 billion funding of its LNG project at Curtis Island, in Queensland. He has spent 12 years based in Hong Kong and Singapore and is admitted in Hong Kong, with extensive cross-border expertise, including handling China-related deals.

Sydney-based Alex Schlosser continues to play a leading role within the team. He has an especially keen focus on acquisition and leveraged finance; he assisted Collins Foods on a AUD145 million syndicated facility amid the group's IPO.

This well-regarded and growing practice had an excellent year, particularly in the fields of acquisition, corporate and project finance. Brad Robinson is a key contact for the firm. Based in Melbourne, he was recently lead partner advising five global financial institutions on the provision of a AUD600 million revolving facility for Fortescue Metals.

The talented and highly regarded John Schembri is singled out by sources, who note: “He is knowledgeable, hard-working and the best banking lawyer we have worked with by a considerable distance.” According to another interviewee, “he has a strong work ethic and is great at meeting deadlines.” He has a broad banking and finance practice and led the team advising Reliance Rail on a AUD3.6 billion project refinancing between the NSW government and Downer EDI.

At the time of going to press, it was announced that Simon Lynch will be joining the firm. He is one of the most respected practitioners in the Australian market, appreciated for his "huge depth of experience across all of the banking sector." According to another source “he is very much in demand: if there is one lawyer you really want to battle for your life then it is him.” 

Continuing to build on its strong relationships with some of the country's leading financial institutions, this seasoned group is appreciated for providing high-quality technical and commercially pertinent advice on a range of corporate, project, acquisition and structured finance matters. Alex Mufford heads the team, and recently acted for the Morgan Stanley Real Estate Global Fund regarding its acquisition of a substantial portfolio of real estate loans from Lloyds TSB, a cross-border deal involving the Netherlands. 

John Angus heads the national asset and structured finance practice and is regarded by interviewees as a go-to lawyer for asset finance matters. Reflective of the quality of his banking experience, he recently advised APA Group on its AUD1.45 billion unsecured syndicated loan facility. He also represented AGL in its AUD200 million export credit facility.

Well-respected practitioner Mark Breheny is singled out by one source for his “excellent knowledge of market precedents." According to another interviewee he “has the ability to oversee complex deals with a level-headed approach and understands risk allocation in a transaction.” His work has included advising ANZ, NAB and Bank of America Merrill Lynch on the USD900 million leasing finance for Fortescue Metals Group in respect of mining equipment.

Wendy Gwyn's much-admired property finance capabilities were aptly demonstrated when she represented Toga and LaSalle Investment Management in its AUD135 million secured debt facility in respect of the costs for the first two stages of a residential development project at Macquarie Park.

Justin Pelly is widely praised for his extensive practice, particularly in the corporate, property and acquisition finance spheres. His busy year included advising Lend Lease on the debt financing for the Barangaroo development. He also acted for Australian Prime Property Fund on the refinancing of its AUD600 million secured syndicated facilities. 

Emma de Carle's reputation, particularly in acquisition finance, continues to grow. One of her many transactions of the past year involved acting for the financiers of CHAMP’s acquisition of oOh!media. One source commented: “She is always able to find a creative solution in order to get things done.” 

John Nestel's practice incorporates an impressive blend of expertise on project, corporate and structured finance and restructuring. He advised the senior lending syndicate, consisting of approximately 29 alternative asset management firms and financial institutions, on the restructuring and recapitalisation of the I-MED group. 

Amanda Wales is continuing to build an excellent reputation, especially in asset finance where she has handled some of the year's most notable deals, particularly in the aviation sector. 

Lucy McCullagh is able to manage large-scale corporate finance projects, as evidenced by her handling of syndicated facilities for corporates such as Epic Energy and TRUenergy. She also advised BHP Billiton on the refinancing of its USD3.2 billion debt and equity investments in the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group. Clients express appreciation that "she approaches things in a commercial manner, across the whole deal, and she deals with complexity very well."

Jim Hunwick earns high praise from interviewees: “He is practical, knowledgeable and efficient, so that means we get smart and value-for-money advice." "He offers unbiased, commercially focused and straightforward advice.” He has wide-ranging fund-raising experience and his busy year included acting for CP2 on the financing of its AUD2.2 billion acquisition of ConnectEast.

A new addition to the team, Matthew Allchurch has amassed over 20 years of banking experience from which he understands both the borrower and lender sides of deals. Sources appreciate that he is "practical and pragmatic and in tune with the commercial drivers in the market.”

Multi-talented Yuen-Yee Cho is highly regarded amongst market experts as a leading corporate and acquisition finance practitioner, with sources simply commenting: "We trust her experience" and "she is one of the strongest in banking and finance."

Ken Astridge has a superb reputation, especially in property finance. His work has included acting for a syndicate of nine banks on the refinancing of the Mirvac Group’s corporate facilities. A highly impressed market source commented: “He is fantastic; I can't rate him highly enough. He acts for financiers and borrowers so he knows the market really well at any given time. He is an excellent technical lawyer who offers real commercial insights to his advice.”

Noted by interviewees for his ability to drive deals home, John Canning is particularly well regarded in the asset finance space. In the past year, his busy workload has included advising on the financing of assets in sectors such as aviation and resources, and he counts Qantas and Virgin Australia amongst his clientele.

Richard Hayes is endorsed by commentators for his excellent offering in acquisition finance. He includes Deutsche Bank, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs amongst his impressive clientele and is praised by one source as “approachable, knowledgeable and thorough."

Melbourne-based Ian Solomon stands out for his expertise in the property, corporate and structured finance space, acting for a strong roster of domestic and international financial institutions.

New to the rankings this year, Jonathan Oldham is rated highly amongst sources who point to the tremendous commerciality he brings to transactions, with one source commenting "he does a great job and his commerciality is very important." His recent work includes handling refinancings for Epic Energy, including AUD850 million in connection with the expansion of its South West Queensland pipeline.

Daniel Marks attracts glowing praise for his collaborative approach and great negotiating skills. He is especially admired for his property and corporate finance skills; most recently, he represented a prominent syndicate of banks in a AUD1 billion secured debt facility to fund the takeover of Charter Hall Office REIT by an international consortium.

With over 20 years of experience playing a central role on property and corporate finance deals, Tony Berriman continues to be in demand. Of late he acted for a group of lenders, including major domestic banks, in respect of unsecured facilities of AUD2.58 billion for General Property Trust, an Australian-listed REIT.

John Mosley acted for a syndicate of eight lenders on refinancings for Primary Health Care which totalled AUD1 billion.

David Eterovic draws praise from both peers and clients, particularly for his skills in acquisition and project finance, which he combines with debt restructuring expertise. Most recently, he acted for Affinity Equity Partners on its acquisition of Tegel Foods (New Zealand) and Primo Smallgoods.

John Elias is highly regarded for both his capital markets and asset finance skills. In relation to the latter, his workload has included advising Qantas on funding for the acquisition of additional Boeing aircraft, a deal that took place over Australia and New Zealand.

Well respected amongst both his clients and peers, Stewart Robertson handles a range of acquisition, leveraged and corporate finance work. Most recently he acted for a syndicate of foreign and domestic banks on a highly complex restructuring of Hastie Group's financing arrangements.

James Mok joined the team from King & Wood Mallesons in November 2012. He has broad banking experience with specialisms in asset and acquisition finance. 

Nuncio D'Angelo, who recently joined the firm, continues to win plaudits in the corporate finance arena for being "a really good operator" and as someone who is "technically strong, good to work with and available at all times.” 

Herman Yip has spent over a decade living and working in Singapore for leading law firms, including the Norton Rose Singapore office. He has a great deal of projects and energy transactional experience across the region.