The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson advised on all financing elements of the Goodman Group’s acquisition of the ING Industrial Fund, which included obtaining a A$1.6bn syndicated facility agreement. The team acts for Australia’s “Big Four” banks, as well as other key lender and corporate borrower clients such as Citigroup, Credit Suisse, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. Simon Lynch, Richard Gordon, Tom Highnam and Nicky Andrews, one of the practice heads, are recommended.

Within Capital markets, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

In 2010, Allens Arthur Robinson’s capital markets group advised Leighton Holdings on its A$750m-plus equity capital raising. Alex Ding led advice to developer Peet on a number of capital management initiatives to assist its land acquisition funding to buy the Flagstone Estate in South East Queensland. Robert Pick is recommended along with Stuart McCulloch and Tom Story, whose practice concentrates on equity capital raisings, private equity transactions in particular.

Within Competition and trade, Allens Arthur Robinson is a second tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson is well versed in handling class actions and continues to act in ACCC investigations concerning anti-competitive conduct. The team mainly represents clients in the telecoms, energy and resources sectors. Jacqueline Downes is highly sought for her expertise in consumer protection. Antitrust litigation expert Wendy Peter left the team in August 2011 to join the ACCC.

Within Construction, Allens Arthur Robinson is a second tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson’s ‘impressive’ team is particularly potent advising in construction litigation and complex contractual matters. It recently advised Westpac on the construction of data centres, and Leighton O’Brien led advice to the Transport Construction Authority on the second phase of the $2bn South West Rail Link project.

Within Corporate and M&A, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson’s ‘brilliant’ corporate and M&A practice spans a number of sectors including financial services, health, resources, and media. The team advised a consortium led by the Goodman Group on its successful A$1.4bn acquisition of the ING Industrial Fund. M&A practice co-heads Guy Alexander and Jon Webster are recommended. Recent partner appointments include Julian Donnan, Mark Malinas and Penny Nikoloudis.

Within Dispute resolution, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson is a ‘go-to’ firm for contentious matters. Paul Nicols and Peter O’Donahoo head the practice, which also houses the ‘very capable’ Jim Dwyer. This ‘extremely high-quality’ team has broad experience and capability including class actions, competition cases, takeover disputes, and public inquiries.

Within Employment, tier 4

Allens Arthur Robinson’s employment capabilities were dented when Adam Lunn left for Mills Oakley Lawyers Pty. Ltd. in early 2011. Tim Frost stepped in to fill the void, and recently acted for Amcor in a claim brought by The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.

Within Energy and resources, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson fields one of the leading energy and resources practices in the country. Wendy Rae and Robert Pick recently advised TSX-listed Endeavour Mining on its merger implementation agreement with ASX-listed Adamus Resources. It also advised ACCIONA on the A$147m development of the Gunning wind farm. Oil and gas specialist Anthony Patten joined the firm from Ashurst LLP in London, and former Clifford Chance lawyer Debra Counsell was appointed special counsel.

Within Insurance, Allens Arthur Robinson is a second tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson handles corporate, regulatory and contentious matters relating to insurance. The group recently advised Western Australia-based health fund HBF on the sale of its general insurance business to CGU. Other clients include general insurers ACE, Allianz and Chubb, as well as certain life insurers, governments, brokers and intermediaries. John Edmond heads the practice.

Within Intellectual property, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Recognised as a leader in intellectual property matters, Allens Arthur Robinson couples the expertise of its IP litigation lawyers with that of its patent and trade marks attorneys. The firm acts for Sony Music Entertainment on copyright issues. Clients for trade mark and patent work include Tiffany, MySpace, Schweppes and Pfizer. Practice head Philip Kerr and Jim Dwyer are highly recommended.

Within Legal market overview,

The major players nationally - Allens Arthur Robinson, Freehills, Clayton Utz, Blake Dawson, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Minter Ellison - continue to attract top-end corporate deals, such as AXA SA and AMP’s joint bid to acquire AXA Asia Pacific Holdings, or the Singapore Exchange’s proposed takeover of the ASX.

Within Projects and infrastructure, Allens Arthur Robinson is a second tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson has substantial experience advising financiers, utility companies and large contractors. Recent highlights include advising Thiess and Degrémont on the $3.5bn Victorian Desalination Plant project and advising the New South Wales Transport Construction Authority on the South-West Rail Link. Leighton O’Brien is recommended.

Within Real estate, Allens Arthur Robinson is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson is frequently involved in ‘big-ticket deals’. Fostering a ‘very strong reputation’ in bank-side work, specialising in corporate restructuring, securities enforcement and receiverships. Notable recent work includes acting for the lender consortium on the Centro restructuring, and advising ANZ’s Bendigo branch and Adelaide Bank on their exposure to the collapse of Timbercorp and Great Southern Plantations, respectively. John Water and Simon Lynch are highly regarded, and Michael Quinlan and Ian Wallace are also key figures. Geoff Rankin heads the group.

Within TMT, Allens Arthur Robinson is a second tier firm,

Allens Arthur Robinson’s highly regarded practice is ‘regularly involved in the key TMT transactions’. It has a close relationship with Vodafone Hutchinson, which a team led by Michael Pattison recently advised on a major technology managed-services project. Niranjan Arasaratnam advised NBNco on a $1.1bn wireless network contract with Ericsson.

Within Tax, Allens Arthur Robinson is a first tier firm,

Capital gains tax, GST and stamp duty are core areas of expertise for Allens Arthur Robinson, and the team advises large banks and major resource companies on IPOs, mergers, audits, company restructuring and tax disputes. Charles Armitage recently handled the sale of Westpac Office Trust to Mirvac, and Larry Magid provided key tax advice to Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. Cameron Rider and Grant Cathro are highly regarded.