The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz has made a number of internal promotions and additions to the team recently, continuing to regenerate the team following past defections predominantly to Allen & Overy LLP. The arrivals of Bruce Cooper (from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) and Angus Foley (from Crédit Agricole) particularly bolstered the team’s project finance capability. In 2010 the team advised Asciano on the restructuring of its $1bn syndicated bank debt. It was also reappointed to all areas of CBA’s banking panel. Graeme Gurney, Andrew Jinks, Paul Gatward and Geoff Geha are recommended.

Within Capital markets, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz has a well-established reputation in debt and equity capital market work. The team advised Asciano Finance on its $1bn senior guaranteed notes issuance; Andrew Jinks, who joined recently from Allens Arthur Robinson, was lead partner on the matter. On the equity side, Stuart Byrne and Tim Reid led the advice to the five joint lead managers (including Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch) on QR National’s IPO.

Within Competition and trade, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz advised AMP on its successful acquisition of AXA APH, helping to knock NAB out of the initial bidding process. A busy year also saw the team acting for NBNco and Woolworth’s on ACCC clearance issues. Another field of focus for the team is inbound investment; it recently advised Agrium, a Canadian agricultural products company, on its proposed acquisition of AWB limited. Michael Corrigan is ‘outstanding’, and recommended along with Linda Evans.

Within Construction, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

Clayton Utz ‘stands out at a national level’ with ‘strength and depth in all cities’. It remains ‘indisputably a leader’ in the field, advising contractors, developers, and energy and resources companies on high-value construction projects. Brisbane-based Arch Fletcher and Stephen Fall recently acted for a consortium on the design and construction (D&C) matters concerning the $35bn Australia Pacific LNG project. Peter Wiese, who gave operational advice to Fortescue Metals Group, and Doug Jones are also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

Clayton Utz acted for AMP on its A$14bn acquisition of AXA Pacific Holdings and represented the Singapore Exchange on its proposed merger with ASX. The group has also played to its traditional strength in the resources sector, having acted for a number of clients including Noble Group, Barrick Gold and Fortescue Metals. Rod Halstead, Andrew Hay and John Elliot are recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

Brigitte Markovic heads Clayton Utz’s dispute resolution team, which is ‘number-one choice for major litigation’. Although ‘fees are expensive, they are justified for the fast response times, professional advice, and outcomes’. John Rowland QC, formerly of London’s 4 Pump Court, was appointed partner. ‘Incredibly intelligent and trusted adviser’ Ian Bloemendal is leading representation of Vale Australia in a series of disputes between the latter’s wholly owned subsidiary Bowen Central Coal and its joint venture partner Aquila Coal over the A$2.3bn Eagle Downs hard coking coal project. The team is also acting for CBA in disputes regarding CBA’s alleged liabilities arising from The Storm Financial Group’s collapse in 2009. Robert Cutler, Fred Prickett, John Collins, the ‘very well experienced’ Sid Wang and ‘strategic thinker’ Mary Still are recommended.

Within Employment, Clayton Utz is a third tier firm,

Clayton Utz provides ‘thorough advice’ to large corporates and government agencies on enterprise bargaining, discrimination and termination cases. IR specialist Joe Catanzariti recently acted for multinational clients in proceedings brought by former executive employees, and Graham Smith advised the Fair Work Ombudsman. Hedy Cray is ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’, and has previously advised Gold Coast City Council and Allconnex Water on industrial relations strategy.

Within Energy and resources, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

With offices in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Darwin, Clayton Utz’s energy and resources practice has a truly national presence and is adept at both operational and transactional work. The team acted as project counsel on the A$35bn Australia Pacific LNG project and is advising Barrick Gold on its A$7.1bn bid to acquire Equinox Minerals. Adani Group is a new client for the team, which is headed by Darren Fooks, Peter Wiese and Graeme Dennis.

Within Insurance, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz’s insurance and risk group acts exclusively for policyholders. The team is acting in a series of disputes concerning liability insurance recovery matters arising from the Storm Financial Group collapse. It also has an ongoing retainer to advise voluntary administrator PPB on recoveries under US and Australian liability insurance covering Lehman Brothers Australia. John Rowland QC, formerly of London’s 4 Pump Court, is a significant new addition to the team. Fred Hawke and Peter Mann are also key names.

Within Intellectual property, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz’s broad IP practice includes copyright protection, licensing, enforcement, and brand portfolio management. The group acted for Eli Lilly in a patent case involving infringement and revocation claims. John Fairbairn’s departure to Minter Ellison was a blow, but this strong team features John Collins, Chris McLeod and Mark Krenzer, each of whom is 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, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

Clayton Utz is at the forefront of project advice to the public sector. Owen Hayford and the ‘irreplaceable’ John Shirbin recently advised AustralAsia Railway Corporation on the $334m sale of the Adelaide to Darwin railway project. Alan Maguire acted for Brisbane City Council on all aspects of the Legacy Way toll road project, and Joanna Pugsley advised the South Australian government on interests in the New Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Within Real estate, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

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.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz’s well resourced team gives ‘uncompromising and precise legal guidance in frontline transactions’. The ‘supportive and collaborative’ David Cowling recently advised Ferrier Hodgson on Redgroup’s collapse, assisting the voluntary administrator in extending the convening period by six months. The ‘technically astute’ and ‘reassuring’ Karen O’Flynn advised ACT Super on the collapse of Trio and a number of superannuation funds it had managed.

Within TMT, Clayton Utz is a third tier firm,

Despite a number of partner departures, Clayton Utz maintains a solid media practice and advised Seven Network on its acquisition of Australian Football League broadcasting rights. Jim FitzSimons recently advised the Australian Paralympics Committee on broadcasting matters relating to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Kate Jordan is highly esteemed.

Within Tax, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz’s ‘impressive’ tax group works closely alongside its corporate team to advise private equity funds, ASX-listed companies and multinationals on complex tax matters arising from investments and M&A. Mark Friezer recently acted as Australian counsel for mining giant Barrick Gold on its $7.1bn takeover bid for Equinox Minerals. Allan Blaikie and Sue Williamson have ‘excellent technical skills’.

Within Transport, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

Clayton Utz advises international banks, public bodies and listed companies on transport-sector corporate and commercial matters. The team - headed by Simon Brady - is sole legal counsel to Asciano and recently advised five joint lead managers (including Merrill Lynch, and Goldman Sachs) on the IPO of QR National. New clients include Air Pacific and Singapore Airlines.