The Legal 500

Clayton Utz’s property practice ranges from leasing and contract documentation, through acquisitions and disposals, to planning, development and financing. Recent highlights include advising New Forests on acquiring the forestry assets of Great Southern Plantations in a A$415m deal and advising the Barangaroo Delivery Authority on its A$6bn urban renewal project. John McGuire, Peter McMahon, Gary Best and Julie Levis are recommended.

Freehills combines ‘very good response times, good partner access and strategic advice’. The team lost Jay Andrews to Corrs Chambers Westgarth but retains a strong team, most notably Michael Back and Kerry Heilbronn. Its clients include developers and property fund managers such as Leighton Properties, Centro and Investa. The group continues to act for Lend Lease on the A$6bn Stage 1 development of the Barangaroo site.

Mallesons Stephen Jaques’ excellent service ‘always exceeds expectations’. Recent highlights include advising Grocon on selling a A$581m portfolio of Melbourne office and retail properties to the Commonwealth Property Office Fund, and advising longstanding client Future Fund on acquiring a 50% interest in Brisbane’s Waterfront Place office tower. Sue Kench, Simone Menz and Andrew Erikson are recommended, as is William Whitaker, who is known for his ‘calm manner’.

Blake Dawson’s real estate and property group includes Richard Brooks, whose ‘advice is always well considered’, and the outstanding John Stawyskyj. Stawyskyj led advice to the Plenary Group on the sale of a 70% interest in the Hilton South Wharf Melbourne Hotel to Host Hotels and Resorts. Stockland Group, GE Real Estate and Australand are also clients.

Minter Ellison is renowned for its public sector work, but also acts for a number of leading property groups including Westfield, Mirvac and Goodman Group. Virginia Briggs advised Mirvac on the A$413m acquisition of Westpac Office Trust, and is recommended along with Cameron Charlton and Robin Lyons.

Allens Arthur Robinson’s property partners Alan Maxton, Mark Stubbings and Tony Sheehan led the group in acting for Frasers Property Australia on its joint venture with Japanese property developer Sekisui House to develop a 5.8-ha mixed-use site at Central Park.

Baker & McKenzie has a dedicated hotels, resorts and tourism group headed by the highly regarded Graeme Dickson. Key clients include Intercontinental Hotels Group and Mariott Hotels. The firm’s broader property practice represents real estate fund managers, private equity investors, developers and poperty trusts. Karen Ryder led advice to K-REIT Asia Management on the A$166m acquisition of a 50% interest in 275 George Street, Brisbane.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s property group fields several standout lawyers, most notably Andrew Flannery, who is recommended for his ‘business acumen, quality of advice and knowledge of the property industry’; and Randall Gerkens, recommended for ‘the depth of his experience’ and his negotiation skills. The team was strengthened by Jay Andrews’ arrival from Freehills. The team is advising Woolworths on a large shopping centre portfolio sale, and is acting for ING on all aspects of its A$1bn Waterfront City development of Melbourne Docklands.

In a matter led by Justin Lucas, Norton Rose Australia is advising Investa Property Group on the sale of two office buildings in Melbourne and on deals to acquire urban fringe farmland for residential development. Other clients include GE International, Stockland and Gladstone Ports. Peter Trevaskis and Michael French are recommended. Clients appreciate the ‘cradle to grave’ service.

DLA Piper Australia has recently represented Australian REITs and property groups such as Charter Hall, Valad and FKP on a number of transactions. Rod Besley and Tony Butler are advising FKP on its Brisbane Gasworks redevelopment project. Tom Cantwell heads the practice.

Gilbert + Tobin’s clients include developers, owners, investors as well as local government bodies. Recent highlights include advising GrainCorp on property issues relating to the company’s acquisition of the United Malt Holdings Group. Amanda Hempel and Diane Skapinker are recommended.

Henry Davis York primarily advises on property fund management matters (for clients such as CBA and Westpac) and public service issues (for clients such as the NSW government). It has a substantial listed REIT practice, acting for Dexus, GPT and Goodman, among others. Practice head Shane Martins is recommended.

Maddocks’ property team provides ‘overall a particularly high level of service’, although there have been significant changes to the staff. Lisa Chung and Bronwyn Badcock joined from Blake Dawson in early 2011, following the departure of Christopher Conolly and Martyn Tier to TressCox in 2010. Guy O’Connor is ‘committed; and provides clear and timely advice’. Notably the group acts for 72 of 79 Victorian local councils, incuding Melbourne City Council.

Arnold Bloch Leibler’s property group is highly regarded in the Melbourne market. The team represents clients such as Walker Corporation, Merrifield Corporation and R Corporation. Clients recommend Lily Tell, who is a ‘good problem solver and efficient’; Stephen Sharp, who is recommended for financing and deal structuring; Ken Gray and Kevin Frawley, who provide advice that is ‘to the point and market savvy’; and special counsel Simone Einfeld, who is ‘a true professional’.

David Sharpe and Matthew Rollason head DibbsBarker’s national property and projects practice, which has seen an increase in distressed asset work. Kylie Matthews’ arrival has added to the firm’s strength in the residential sector. Matthews has been leading a matter for Sunland Group regarding certain residential development projects. Property investors CB Global and Kordamentha are also clients.

Gadens Lawyers’ Jenny Andrews and practice head Steve Healy are recommended. Andrews led advice to Metcash Trading regarding a new distribution facility at Huntingwood in NSW. ING, Lend Lease and Mirvac are also clients.

McCullough Robertson’s property team acted on several notable transactions during 2010. For example, Ian Hazzard led advice to Devine on the acquisition of a 500-ha site earmarked for a $1.4bn community development project. Stockland, Australand and Mirvac are key clients of the team, which is headed by Kristan Butler.

Piper Alderman’s real estate practice head Tony Britten-Jones is recommended for his ‘confident, timely, professional and well-considered advice’. Centro Properties, Charter Hall, GPT and Bensons Property Group are clients.

Hopgood Ganim Lawyers provides ‘seamless service’, and is able to ‘draw on other specialists from the firm as necessary’. Tony Baldwin advised clients on the A$53m purchase of the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas hotel, golf course and country club. Tracey Rundle is recommended for her ‘practical advice’.

Highlights for specialist firm Ryan Lawyers included acting for Host Hotels & Resorts on the multimillion-dollar purchase of seven New Zealand hotels from Tourism Asset Holdings. Other clients include Marriott Vacation Club and Swiss-Belhotel International. Tony Ryan is ‘very experienced and has a great international reputation’.

TressCox enters the ranking this year following the recent arrival of Christopher Conolly and Martyn Tier from Maddocks. Recent clients include Centuria and Charter Hall Group.