The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Property finance is an area of strength for Arnold Bloch Leibler, which advised Rabinov Property Trust on renegotiating its A$140m term loan facilities from ANZ. It also advised Nufarm on a A$900m syndicated bank facility across multiple jurisdictions. Paul Rubenstein has ‘excellent commercial sense’, and practice head Stephen Sharp is also recommended.

Within Capital markets, tier 4

Practice head Jonathan Wenig at the premium boutique Arnold Bloch Leibler, led the capital markets team in advising key client, Nufarm, in relation to a A$250m equity raising. It also acted for VISY Property Group in a successful bid to secure long-term financing of A$150m through a private placement of notes in the US.

Within Competition and trade, Arnold Bloch Leibler is a third tier firm,

Consumer protection and litigation is Arnold Bloch Leibler’s key focus. It recently defended Visy in a class action relating to an alleged market-sharing cartel. Zaven Mardirossian’s team also acted for a number of international hedge funds on competition issues arising from Australian mergers. Clients include Mason Capital and Leighton Holdings, which the team has been advising on trade practice issues.

Within Corporate and M&A, Arnold Bloch Leibler is a third tier firm,

Arnold Bloch Leibler’s practice head Jonathan Wenig advised Carsales.com on ACP Magazine’s sale of a 49% equity stake in the automotive classifieds company, and advised Nufarm on the A$600m investment transaction with Sumitomo Chemical. Steven Klein left the team in 2011.

Within Dispute resolution, Arnold Bloch Leibler is a third tier firm,

Arnold Bloch Leibler’s ‘outstanding’ team provides ‘thorough, considered, informed and timely’ advice, delivering ‘a much more bespoke service than some of the other firms’. ‘Standout’ Jonathan Milner and ‘intuitive and persuasive’ practice head Leon Zwier led representation of the former non-executive director of James Hardie in proceedings brought by ASIC in the Supreme Court of NSW. Alex King, John Mitchell and senior associate Susanna Ford are also recommended.

Within Employment, tier 4

Arnold Bloch Leibler’s sole employment partner Henry Skene handles CEO departures and IR reform. Recent highlights include advising Australian Mines & Metals Association on policy, and advising on an enterprise agreement between National Electrical Communications Association and the Electrical Trades Union.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

Arnold Bloch Leibler’s Jane Sheridan led advice to Acrux regarding an exclusive worlwide patent licensing agreement with US-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Other clients include Bensons Property Group, SEEK and Lonsdale. Michael Dodge and Zaven Mardirossian head the practice.

Within Real estate, tier 5

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’.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Arnold Bloch Leibler is a second tier firm,

Arnold Bloch Leibler has carved out a particular niche in the insolvency space, devising contingency reconstruction plans for private equity firms and major lenders. During 2010 and 2011, the team was heavily involved in advising unsecured lenders on Centro’s difficulties, and global hedge fund TPG on Alinta Energy’s insolvency. Leon Zwier is a ‘forceful advocate’ and ‘lateral thinker’, and Ben Mahoney is ‘one of the most effective restructuring lawyers in Australia’.

Within Tax, Arnold Bloch Leibler is a second tier firm,

‘Excellent all round’, Arnold Bloch Leibler’s forte is advising high-net-worth individuals on their tax needs such as audits, GST and Division 7a tax disputes. Paul Sokolowski is highly regarded for his ‘technical strength’ and ‘commercial approach’, and practice head Mark Leibler is another leading tax lawyer.