The banking and finance team at Allens remains a market leader, providing bespoke solutions to major domestic and international banks, multinational corporations and governments. among other financial institutions, on a diverse spectrum of matters. Examples include leveraged finance transactions, M&A, asset finance and leasing, fund finance, project finance, margin loans and construction finance. Practice head Alan Maxton brings his corporate finance expertise to the group, whose client portfolio includes JP Morgan and Citibank and spans the aviation, dairy, mining, real estate, utilities and government sectors. Other key names include fund finance expert Tom Highnam, real estate investment specialist Jo Folan, and Rita Pang, an up-and-coming name when it comes to the financing of aircraft, yellow goods and motor vehicles. Named lawyers are based in Sydney though the team is also present in Melbourne where syndicated lending advisor, Ben O’Hoy, is a standout.

Ashurst‘s global loans group is famed for its ‘exceptional knowledge‘ in M&A, disputes, restructuring and insolvency, asset finance and leasing. Led by Brenton Key, a property finance expert, the practice is particularly accomplished within the media, financial services, aviation, healthcare industries and caters to a client roster of global corporates and investment banks, major financial institutions, funds, alternative lenders and private equity sponsors. Shawn Wytenburg and Melbourne-based Martin Coleman are experts in respect of corporate, leveraged, acquisition and infrastructure finance meanwhile Steve Smith holds distinguished capabilities in ABL, holdco facilities and sovereign debt transactions. At the more junior end of the partnership spectrum, Kenneth Tang is carving out a prominent reputation for debt financings. Named lawyers are based in Sydney unless otherwise stated.

The ‘market leading’ banking and finance team at Gilbert + Tobin utilises the bench strength of its team to advise local and international lenders, sponsors, developers and multinational corporates within the infrastructure, real estate, transport, energy, construction, and healthcare sectors. Its lawyers provide a comprehensive service, supporting on M&A, project finance, restructurings, corporate facilities, property finance, social infrastructure PPPs, and syndicated debt transactions. The team is headed by acquisition, project and corporate finance authority John Schembri who is supported in Sydney by Gail Christopher, noted for her ‘deep understanding of commercial objectives‘, as well as infrastructure and energy finance specialist Adela Smith. Over in Melbourne, Simon Lynch has carved out a prominent reputation for his work on corporate facilities, LBOs, workouts and construction financing.

Herbert Smith Freehills remains a leader in the marketplace, leveraging its expansive global network and track record in representing major international and domestic banks, non-bank lenders and multinational corporates on all manner of banking and finance matters. Melbourne-based Andrew Booth fronts the local practice, in addition to the wider Asia Pacific department, enjoying a particularly formidable reputation within the manufacturing, TMT, real estate, transport and infrastructure sectors; his team’s full-service offering extends to assistance with M&A, restructurings, leasing arrangements, asset finance, and infrastructure and property finance. Support is provided in Sydney by senior partner and structured finance veteran John Angus, property finance specialist Melita Cottrell and acquisition finance expert Hayley Neilson. Debt restructuring advisor Martin MacDonald operates alongside Booth in Melbourne meanwhile the Perth office is home to Marnie Fels who has handled several standout acquisition finance matters of late.

At Hong Kong-headquartered legal King & Wood Mallesons, the team crafts tailored solutions for major domestic and international and investment banks, private equity firms, debt funds and global corporations. Melbourne-based Jonathan Oldham holds a track record in project and corporate finance matters; he co-leads the practice alongside Yuen-Yee Cho, a specialist in leveraged and general corporate finance, and Evie Bruce who serves as managing partner. The team is especially well-versed in the financial services, aviation, real estate, private equity, government, energy and resources sectors and is geared to handle everything from asset finance, acquisition financing and restructurings through to infrastructure PPPs and property finance, the latter of which is a particular specialism for the 'exceptional' Ken Astridge. Named lawyers are based in Sydney unless otherwise stated.

Utilising the strength of its global team, some 1,000 lawyers strong, Allen & Overy LLP offers a comprehensive service to major national and international banks, non-bank lenders and multinational corporations active within the TMT, financial services, tourism, mining, real estate and infrastructure industries. Jason Huinink has recognised expertise in asset financing while in Perth Peter Wilkes handles areas such as debt finance transactions, acquisition and leverage finance and syndicated bank facilities, particularly in the energy and resources sectors. The group’s services also extend to restructuring mandates. Former practice head Adam Stapledon joined Corrs Chambers Westgarth in January 2022, followed by James Abbott in February.

The banking and financial services team at Clayton Utz advises on high-value transactions related to asset finance, property finance, social infrastructure PPPs, structured finance, fund finance, IPOs, and acquisition finance. The group is headed by syndicated corporate financing lawyer Alexander Schlosser and includes corporate finance expert Graeme Tucker, as well as acquisition finance specialist Kate O’Donovan. The client base spans major local and international banks, non-bank financial institutions, credit funds and multinational corporates from industries as diverse as aviation, software, environmental services, healthcare, real estate, retail and mining. Referenced lawyers are based in Sydney.

At Arnold Bloch Leibler, the banking and finance team provides a comprehensive service to major national and international banks, non-bank financial institutions and corporate borrowers involved in high-value cross-border transactions. The group's advises clients matters such as property finance, corporate acquisition facilities, structured financing arrangements, project finance, restructuring, and insolvency. Restructuring transaction expertise is brought by team head Ben Mahoney who is also the key point of contact for debt and equity financing; he is supported in Melbourne by the 'commercially focused' Genevieve Sexton who predominantly focuses on corporate finance. The group’s client base features Freedom Foods Group Limited and the Australian Football League and covers the real estate, food and beverage, sports and entertainment, and transport and infrastructure sectors.

International firm Baker McKenzie utilises a network of 77 offices in 46 countries and the experience of its team to assist major domestic and multinational banks, non-bank financial institutions, and local and international corporations on a broad range of banking and finance issues across the practice area. These are not limited to real estate finance, structured finance, derivatives, insolvency, restructuring, and acquisition financings. Headed by Duncan McGrath in Sydney, a specialist in corporate finance, securitisation and debt capital markets matters, among many other matters, the group’s portfolio features HSBC and Citibank and spans industries such as energy, agribusiness, food and beverages, financial services, transport, and insurance. McGrath is backed by acquisition finance expert Alastair Gourlay in Sydney and Melbourne-based Charlie Detmold whose recent workload included a standout revolving credit mandate.

Dentons provides a one-stop shop to major local and international banks and non-bank financial institutions involved in cross-border high-value transactions. In Sydney, real estate finance expert Timothy Lipscombe co-heads the team with Chris Fanning who has been instructed on a number of debt transactions throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The team’s client base is spread across the financial services, real estate, and renewables sectors and features key market players Deutsche Bank and Citibank. Examples of work undertaken include construction finance, leveraged and acquisition finance, asset finance, debt restructuring and structured products.

Noted by for its 'fantastic client service', the banking and finance group at Gadens Lawyers advises national and international banks, funds, non-bank funds, superannuation funds, offshore lenders, and multinational corporations involved in high-value cross-border transactions. The team assists clients with acquisition financing arrangements, property finance, secured loan facilities, restructuring, due diligence and social impact bonds. Under the leadership of corporate finance and debt capital markets expert Doug Scobie, the group’s client portfolio covers the construction, pharmaceuticals, retail, automotive, leisure and tech sectors. Elliot Raleigh is a veteran of many construction and property investment financing matters, operating from Melbourne alongside Scobie. Over in Sydney, Renae Suttor is relied upon for her debt finance knowhow, both secured and unsecured. 

Coordinating with offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle and Canberra, the finance team at McCullough Robertson crafts custom solutions to counsel major Australian banks, non-bank lenders and government lending bodies. The group assists with a broad range of services, ranging from debt restructurings, leveraged and acquisition financings through to real estate and development financings and syndicated and bilateral finance transactions. Led by lender side banking specialist Wei Lim in Brisbane and property finance expert David Gilham in Sydney, the group's work spans the mining and resources, real estate, transport, agribusiness, retail and construction sectors.

Pinsent Masons LLP, a global firm with 26 offices on four continents, advises major national and international banks, non-bank lenders and multinational corporations on a wide span of matters across the practice area. Expertise encompasses leveraged and acquisition finance, asset finance, corporate finance, structured finance and project finance in addition to restructuring and workouts. Practice head Jeremy King, a member of the Melbourne office, holds distinguished expertise in a number of industries, namely social infrastructure, energy, aviation, shipping, mining, water and sanitation.

Colin Biggers & Paisley demonstrates a tenacity for acquisition, corporate and syndicated, property finance and construction finance in addition finance-related disputes and restructuring and insolvency. Sydney-based practice head Kate Craig is principally active in the debt finance field, placing a high degree of emphasis on the hotel, residential and commercial property sectors. The wider team is also adept in the  financial services, food manufacturing, health and life sciences sectors, acting for a client base which spans major national and multinational banks, non-bank financial institutions and international corporates.

Established in 1885, Maddocks offers a full line of bespoke banking and finance solutions for domestic and international banks, non-bank financial institutions and corporate borrowers. The group centres its practice around corporate, property and structured asset finance and is jointly helmed by Sydney-based Arlene Colquhoun and property financing expert Ilan Kraus in Melbourne. The group acts for clients in the property, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors and represents major market players such as Macquarie Bank and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth, Mills Oakley Lawyers is geared to support on project, corporate and acquisition finance in addition to syndicated lending and workout and restructuring mandates. In Sydney, real estate finance expert Graeme Gurney helms the practice meanwhile Tim Macmillan is the key contact for project finance. Clients include domestic and multinational banks, non-bank financial institutions and major corporate borrowers from sectors such as hospitality, financial services and construction.