The Legal 500

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

Clayton Utz is among ‘the leading independent Australian law firms’. Geoff Geha and Alexander Schlosser led advice to Bain Capital on the leveraged financing of its A$1.3bn acquisition of MYOB. Former head of private equity Philip Kapp left for Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

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

Clayton Utz’ s ‘strong’ capital markets team includes several ‘highly respected partners’; these include Stuart Byrne on the equity side, Louise McCoach (a ‘leader in her field’) on the debt side, and securities specialist Andrew Jinks. Recent advice includes Origin Energy on its A$900m hybrid notes offering. Other clients include Fortescue Metals, Goldman Sachs, and Macquarie Group.

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

Clayton Utz is ‘one of the best’ for merger clearance advice; Linda Evans advised Origin Energy on its successful bid for Country Energy and Integral Energy, and Michael Corrigan assisted HP on gaining clearance for the divestment of its plastic and packaging business to Visy. Elsewhere, Bruce Lloyd and the ‘hard working’ Kirsten Webb advised NBN Co on regulatory issues concerning its relationships with telecoms carriers.

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Within Construction, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

Clayton Utz is praised for its ‘technical skills’, and ‘excellent response times, industry knowledge and appropriate advice’. Arch Fletcher is leading advice to Australia Pacific LNG on the design and construction of its coal seam gas project, while Sergio Capelli led advice to Transport for NSW on the North West rail link. Doug Jones ‘consistently delivers a successful outcome for clients’. Anne Davis left for Holding Redlich in 2012.

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

John Elliott heads the team at Clayton Utz, which counts Arrium, Fortescue Metals, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley as clients. Rod Halstead and Jonathan Algar recently advised AMP on its merger with AXA APH. Karen Evans-Cullen ‘really knows her stuff and is unflappable in negotiations’; the ‘highly experienced’ Rod Halstead ‘instils great confidence’; and Jonathan Algar is ‘an excellent manager of complex matters’.

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

Clayton Utz’s Brigitte Markovic and Zac Chami are acting for the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) in high-profile litigation against former directors and officers of companies from the James Hardie Group and its offshore parent. Sid Wang and Paul Fitzpatrick are ‘very good litigators’, and Doug Jones is singled out for his international arbitration experience, particularly within construction.

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Within Employment, Clayton Utz is a third tier firm,

Clayton Utz bolstered its Melbourne office in 2011 by hiring Stuart Pill and Dan Trindade from defunct firm Trindade Farr & Pill. Joe Catanzariti oversees the team, which recently advised HRX Holdings on an executive-level restrictive covenant dispute. Graham Smith is an employment ‘doyen’, and Hedy Cray is an ‘exceptional’ IR adviser.

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

Clayton Utz’s 20-partner practice counts BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Vale as clients. It is currently advising on the APLNG project, a joint venture between Origin Energy, ConocoPhillips and Sinotec; the mandate includes advice on supply agreements. Practice leader Graeme Dennis is very well respected, and Mark Geritz ‘knows mining development law better than anyone else’.

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Within Insurance, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

Clayton Utz is ‘always to-the-point and within time limits’. The eight-partner group primarily acts for policyholders, and has been advising on a number of issues arising from the Queensland floods. Key figures include group head Fred Hawke and Peter Mann.

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

Headed by John Collins, Clayton Utz’ recent highlights include representing Spotless in a case against Qantas Airways for alleged trade mark infringement. Mary Still and Chris McLeod are very well regarded, and Richard Hoad made partner in January 2012.

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Within Projects and infrastructure, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz advises public sector bodies on major PPPs; for example, Doug Jones and the ‘proactive’ John Shirbin recently advised Transport for NSW on the North West Rail Link. Joanna Pugsley acted for South Australia’s Crown Solicitor’s Office on the new Royal Adelaide Hospital project. Marcus Davenport ‘resolves complex issues effectively’, while other recommended attorneys include Marko Misko and team head Steve O’Reilly. Anne Davis left for Holding Redlich in 2012.

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

Clayton Utz provides an ‘exceptional service’; the team has ‘very thorough knowledge’ and is ‘one of the leading practices’ in the market. It is currently advising the Barangaroo Delivery Authority on a A$6bn urban renewal project. Alfonso del Rio and associate Alastair Gregory are ‘both very knowledgeable and commercial’; Gary Best is a ‘very strong commercial lawyer’; and John McGuire has a ‘very practical approach’.

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

Clayton Utz attracts praise for ‘first rate response times’, ‘excellent industry knowledge’ and ‘strong depth’. David Cowling led advice to PPB Advisory on its role as administrator and liquidator of Lehman Brothers in Australia, and to Ferrier Hodgson on the collapse of REDGroup. Team head Karen O’Flynn has vast experience in mining and resources; she is ‘client focused’ with a ‘good grasp of the issues’.

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Within TMT, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz recently advised Seven Network on acquiring free-to-air television rights for programmes including the AFL. The group’s appointment to NBN Co’s panel provides a steady flow of instructions concerning migration agreements and relationships with contractors. Kate Jordan and e-commerce specialist Jim Fitzsimons head the team.

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Within Tax, Clayton Utz is a second tier firm,

Clayton Utz recently advised Australia Pacific LNG on the tax aspects of its A$35bn project in Queensland, and represented Macquarie Bank in income tax assessments before the Federal Court. Mark Friezer is singled out for his ‘practical approach’ and ‘attention to detail’, while Allan Blaikie is ‘excellent’ for international tax. Team head Andrew Sommer is also recommended.

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Within Transport, Clayton Utz is a first tier firm,

Clayton Utz is a ‘first-tier specialist’ in rail projects and aviation finance, with clients including Transport for NSW and Singapore Airlines. John Shirbin is praised for his ‘proactive approach’, and Murray West’s advice is ‘tailored to achieving the best commercial outcome’. Simon Brady heads the ‘very responsive’ team.

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