The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Offshore investment has been an increasing source of instructions for Norton Rose Australia’s banking and finance group, having advised clients such as Bank of China, China Development Bank and ICBC. In addition it is on the panel of several domestic banks including ANZ, CBA, NAB and Suncorp. Practice head David Lyons, Alen Pazin and Dan Marjanovic are recommended.

Within Capital markets, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia strengthened its debt-side capabilities when it recruited Petar Kuessner from Mallesons Stephen Jaques in March 2010. The team has particular strength in cross-border Southeast Asian transactions, and acted for CST Mining Group on its oversubscribed $600m placement on the HKEx to develop its Lady Annie mine in Queensland. Another highlight saw it advise Brisbane Airport on a A$1.5bn medium-term note programme. James Stewart and Tim Flahvin are recommended.

Within Competition and trade, tier 4

Norton Rose Australia suffered a major loss when Calum Henderson left for Johnson Winter & Slattery. Nick McHugh now heads the team, and played a key role in assisting McKesson Asia Pacific in gaining timely approval of its sale to Medibank Private.

Within Construction, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia continues to act on a large number of PPP, mining and LNG projects. It has a solid grounding in government-side work and an equally impressive track record in the private sector for contractors such as Leighton, McConnell Dowell and Clough. Grant Ahearn heads the team, which has ‘excellent depth’, most notably Jeffrey Wilson, Rob Buchanan, and Mark Waddell, who recently advised ITOCHU on the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project.

Within Corporate and M&A, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Elizabeth Hallett and Shaun Clyne (recommended for his ‘knowledge, availability and style’) head the corporate and M&A team at Norton Rose Australia. The group advised Banpu on its A$2.5bn acquisition of Centennial Coal, and AXA SA regarding the merger of AMP and AXA APH. Anthony Latimer is highly regarded.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Norton Rose Australia’s 50-partner dispute resolution team acted for Australian retailer David Jones in its A$37m dispute with former employee Kristy Fraser-Kirk. The group was also instructed by the State of Victoria and its insurer to act on claims arising from the Victoria bush fires. Tom Jarvis and Wayne Spanner are the main contacts.

Within Employment, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

‘Strong in occupational health and safety law’ and employee disputes, Norton Rose Australia’s hardworking team primarily represents construction companies, engineering firms and government bodies. Sally Woodward defended David Jones and its directors in a sexual harassment case, and Martin Osborne advised Bechtel on IR matters.

Within Energy and resources, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia’s expertise spans the energy, oil and gas, and mining and minerals spaces. It advised Nippon Oil on LNG off-take contracts from the Gorgon LNG project in Western Australia, and acted for AGL Energy on the 420MW A$1bn Macarthur wind farm. Robert Milbourne, Alex Cull and Ernest van Buuren are recommended.

Within Foreign firms,

Allen & Overy LLP and Norton Rose Australia continue to gain traction in the market, particularly in the banking and finance space, although each with a slightly different focus; the former concentrating on high-end financial work and the latter seeking to access the wider Asian market. In 2011, DLA Phillips Fox formally integrated with the global DLA Piper LLP network to create DLA Piper Australia.

Within Insurance, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia has a strong reputation in financial lines insurance and capabilities in other areas including construction and medical liability. Highlights included advising AIG on regulatory approvals relating to the proposed $35.5bn sale of AIA to Prudential. It is also acting for the Australian Capital Territory government (ACT) in proceedings brought by over 2,500 plaintiffs regarding personal injury and property damage claims arising from the Australian bushfires. Tricia Hobson, Marnie Mcconnell and Nicole Wearne are recommended.

Within Intellectual property, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia’s IP group was recently bolstered by the addition of Jackie O’Brien from Allens Arthur Robinson. The practice acts for entities including start-ups, public and private companies as well as multinationals. It recently represented Foo Fighters in finalising settlement of a Federal Court proceeding brought by the band relating to copyright issues. Practice head Cameron Harvey advised IBML on copyright and trade mark matters including parallel importation. Michelin, Phillips and Remington are also clients.

Within Projects and infrastructure, Norton Rose LLP is a second tier firm,

Having already established its reputation in cross-border projects, Norton Rose Australia now operates with an increasing focus on inbound project finance. The team recently advised China Development Bank and Export Import Bank of China on two resources projects, and Vincent Dwyer acted for AGL Energy on delivery of the $1bn Macarthur wind farm. Adrian Ahern and Grant Ahearn are also recommended.

Within Real estate, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia has a ‘small but strong’ insolvency team in Melbourne, led by Steven Palmer. David Goldman recently assisted Japan Airlines in gaining recognition to restructure its Australian operations. The team was subsequently appointed to CBA’s panel.

Within TMT, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia remains a key adviser for the NSW government on TMT matters, and recently advised on the redrafting of technology procurement contracts. Other highlights included handling outsourcing issues for ANZ Bank, and advising Australia-Singapore (International) on its plan to develop a submarine cable system. Network deployment expert Nick Abrahams heads the team.

Within Tax, Norton Rose LLP is a third tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia represents international banks and ASX-listed companies on tax matters arising from cross-border M&A and other corporate transactions. David Coombes is the key adviser on restructuring. He and Andrew Spalding are recommended. Paul Humphreys joined the firm from Clayton Utz in August 2011.

Within Transport, Norton Rose LLP is a first tier firm,

Norton Rose Australia acts for Asian clients across the aviation, rail and shipping industries, including ORIX Aviation, Pacific National Group and Chevron Australia. Aircraft finance, vessel collisions and transport-related corporate matters are the core areas of focus. Ernest van Buuren recently joined the group from Blake Dawson. Adrian Ahern heads the transport team.