The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie provides ‘superb industry insights’ and its ‘extensive Asian (and global) network is a competitive advantage’. It advised KKR on banking matters relating to its proposed A$4bn sale of Seven Media Group to West Australian Newspapers; the team also regularly acts for clients such as ANZ, ING Group, JPMorgan and Credit Suisse. George Harris and the ‘always commercial’ Bryan Paisley are recommended. Roy Weitzman joined from Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

Within Capital markets, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie provides ‘superb industry insights’. It advises on the Australian domestic capital markets and also has a Sydney-based US capital markets team. US securities lawyer Andrew Reilly recently led on a number of multibillion-dollar US private placements in the electricity sector and provided international law advice to QR National on its A$6.7bn IPO. Craig Andrade is ‘a rising star, very congenial but exceptionally sharp; unflappable’.

Within Competition and trade, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Known for its ‘highly strategic advice’ and ‘prompt response times’, Baker & Mckenzie recently advised SITA and Ecolab on M&A clearance matters and acted for Bayer in class action proceedings relating to alleged cartel conduct. Leading litigator Andrew Christopher heads the group, in which Georgina Foster is also recommended.

Within Construction, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Renowned for its ‘professional and complete service’, Baker & McKenzie recently played a key role in disputes relating to Sydney’s Eastern Distributor toll road and the Adelaide Desalination Plant. Geoff Wood leads this ‘impressive’ team; Leigh Duthie is a ‘superior, tactical litigator and a gentleman’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie ‘acts for many of the relevant players so is aware of current market practices’. Cross-border work is a key strength for the team and clients note the benefit of using ‘a single team rather than multiple firms’, accessing the firm’s overseas resources as necessary. David Holland was a lead partner in advising New South Wales’ government on the A$5.3bn NSW electricity reform project. Richard Lustig and Steven Glanz are recommended, as is Mark McNamara, who ‘brings a huge amount of gravitas to the table’.

Within Dispute resolution, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

The ‘very good’ dispute resolution team at Baker & McKenzie has ‘strength in depth across a range of practice areas’, and ‘is capable of dealing with the largest and most complex matters’. It recently defended a client in an environmental class action relating to a landfill site adjacent to plaintiffs’ homes. Practice head Andrew Christopher, Andrew Salgo and Bruce Hambrett are recommended.

Within Employment, tier 5

Heavily reliant on corporate referrals Baker & McKenzie’s employment team acts for a number of the firm’s existing clients including Allianz and OMD. Team leader Paul Brown has a good reputation.

Within Energy and resources, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie has a particularly strong reputation in the electricity sector. The group, headed by Christopher Saxon, acted as lead adviser to the government of NSW on its A$5.3bn electricity privatisation project. On the investment side, the team has been advising Tokyo Gas on its investment in BG Group’s Curtis Island LNG project, and Vale on its investment in the Belvedere coal project.

Within Foreign firms,

Other foreign firms operating in the jurisdiction include Baker & McKenzie, Jones Day, Kennedys, Holman Fenwick Willan, MMLC Group and Buse Heberer Fromm.

Within Intellectual property, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie has a ‘strong team with very strong skill sets’, including ‘a well-connected and highly experienced team of senior paralegals’. The practice represents clients across a number of industries, with representations including Calvin Klein, Unilever, Jack Daniels, Pfizer, Apple and The Body Shop. It was recently appointed by Lion Nathan National Foods (LNNF) as its legal counsel for all of its trade and marketing work, and has responsibility for Fox Entertainment’s trade mark portfolio. Ross McLean is recommended for his ‘good business acumen’, and Robert Arnold is well regarded for ‘his attention to detail on all aspects of litigation’.

Within Projects and infrastructure, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s projects and energy group advises on large energy developments and major project bids. Christopher Saxon and David Ryan were instructed by the New South Wales government to act on its electricity privatisation project, and Andrew Chew and Alex Hartman advised Degrémont on its role in Aquality.

Within Real estate, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie has a dedicated hotels, resorts and tourism group headed by the highly regarded Graeme Dickson. Key clients include Intercontinental Hotels Group and Mariott Hotels. The firm’s broader property practice represents real estate fund managers, private equity investors, developers and poperty trusts. Karen Ryder led advice to K-REIT Asia Management on the A$166m acquisition of a 50% interest in 275 George Street, Brisbane.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Baker & McKenzie is a third tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s Maria O’Brien has had an outstanding period of activity, having advised TPG Capital LP on the Alinta restructuring as well as advising the administrators of Griffin Coal. Practice head Bruce Hambrett advised Fortress and PPB on the collapse of Octaviar Group. Security enforcement in the property finance sector has been another notable area of activity for the firm, which typically acts for receivers in such cases.

Within TMT, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie’s Anthony Foley recently advised KKR on selling its stake in Seven Media Group, and acted for Optus on the NBN interim satellite coverage agreement. Anne-Marie Allgrove advises financial services and technology clients on outsourcing, procurement and service arrangements.

Within Tax, Baker & McKenzie is a second tier firm,

Baker & McKenzie has a good reputation for its advice on transfer pricing, structured finance transactions and REITs. Tim Sherman recently handled tax issues for KKR, arising from the sale of its stake in Seven Media Group. John Walker is ‘astute and savvy’, with Amrit MacIntyre also recommended.