The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

Already well established in Melbourne, Maddocks has made a conscious push to grow its Sydney presence and recently recruited consultant Jeff Goss from KPMG. The team advised ICICI Bank (Singapore branch) in its capacity as arranger and agent on the syndicated financing of the $750m acquisition of Griffin Coal and Carpenter Mine Management by an Australian subsidiary of the Lanco Group. Joint practice heads Ian Beattie and Sean Rush are recommended.

Within Construction, tier 4

Maddocks provides ‘sensible and commercially focused advice’ to construction companies. Clients appreciate the ‘genuine interest’ shown by practice leader Paul Woods. The ‘excellent’ group head Mal Fielding recently advised Watpac on Sydney’s One Central Park development.

Within Corporate and M&A, Maddocks is a third tier firm,

Geoff Musgrove and Peter Shaw head Maddocks’ corporate and M&A team. The group advised Archer Capital on its acquisition of a majority stake in Fuelfix. The team was strengthened by the arrival of former Clayton Utz partner Ron Smooker, who brings to the firm 20 years of corporate, commercial and financial experience.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 6

Michelle Dixon and Carmen McElwain lead Maddocks’ dispute resolution group, which is acting for Cheung Kong Infrastructure in proceedings against BlueScope Steel and Merrill Lynch International in Federal Court in NSW. The team is also representing Nintendo in IP protection litigation in Australia.

Within Employment, tier 4

Maddocks’ Bruce Heddle recently acted for Macquarie Bank in a Supreme Court case concerning incentive schemes. Ross Jackson heads the team, which also represents Melbourne City Council and Victoria Police. Darren Gardner has particular proficiency in human resources and discrimination cases, while Karl Blake is recommended for his work in outsourcing.

Within Intellectual property, tier 5

Maddocks’ IP practice head Peter Francis led a successful copyright and trade mark infringement action for Nintendo in the Federal Court against GadgetGear. Brendan Coady is also recommended.

Within Projects and infrastructure, tier 4

Maddocks represents state government departments and major contractors in Sydney and Melbourne. Despite this primarily Southeastern focus, the team recently had a hand in the monumental National Broadband Network project, advising Theiss Services and Silcar on the successful bid to deliver construction of NBNco’s passive fibre network. Greg Campbell is the main contact.

Within Real estate, tier 4

Maddocks’ property team provides ‘overall a particularly high level of service’, although there have been significant changes to the staff. Lisa Chung and Bronwyn Badcock joined from Blake Dawson in early 2011, following the departure of Christopher Conolly and Martyn Tier to TressCox in 2010. Guy O’Connor is ‘committed; and provides clear and timely advice’. Notably the group acts for 72 of 79 Victorian local councils, incuding Melbourne City Council.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, tier 4

Maddocks predominantly advises liquidators, receivers and managers of SMEs, but recently acted for a large New York hedge fund on acquiring debt held in Centro. David Newman heads the team.

Within TMT, tier 4

Maddocks provides excellent ‘value for money’, and has a ‘strong knowledge of contracting with Australian Commonwealth government’. Brendan Coady recently advised Macquarie Telecom on regulatory matters.

Within Tax, tier 4

Maddocks represents the ATO in litigation, and advises private sector clients on tax audits and foreign investments. Carmen McElwain heads the practice, in which Peter Poulos has the valuable ability to ‘simplify complex tax matters’, and Angela Wood is a tax controversy specialist.