Banking and finance Tier 1

Ashurst remains a trusted adviser to the four major Australian banks, while also attracting a broad client base of multinational investment banks, private equity sponsors, and top corporate entities. The banking and finance practice, headed up by Brenton Key, also has a standout capacity handling cross-jurisdictional instructions, drawing on the expertise of the firm's global network. Among the department's leading names, the highly respected Shawn Wytenburg regularly advises on market-leading transactions; Steve Smith and the Melbourne-based Martin Coleman are experts in corporate, project and infrastructure finance; and Jock O’Shea leads on property financing and asset financing and leasing, particularly in the aviation space. A name to watch on the junior end of the team is Kenneth Tang, who has recently been active in significant unitranche transactions. In internal team news, Melbourne-based Madeleine de Garis was promoted to partner in May 2019; her specialist experience lies in acquisition and corporate finance. Named partners are Sydney-based unless otherwise mentioned.

Competition and trade Tier 1

Construction Tier 1

At Ashurst, specialist areas include projects in the transport, social infrastructure, commercial, residential, energy and resources, telecommunications and sports sectors. Active across the entirety of Australia and New Zealand, the team is able to offer an end-to-end service, acting on procurement, contracting, project finance, delivery and a variety of dispute matters, among others. In Melbourne, Grant Rowlands represents numerous high-profile government entities in addition to private sector clients; he leads the practice together with Sydney-based Lee McDonald, the firm’s national head for global projects. Both PPPs and PFPs are fortes for the department which also includes Ben Kipic, a counsel with a track record of assisting on several major projects.

Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 1

As evidenced in its notable client list, Ashurst’s team in Australia utilises the firm’s global strength and is very active in the mining, energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, and construction sectors. Georgia Quick (Sydney) heads up the Australian international arbitration practice, while Brisbane-based Jeremy Chenoweth acts as head of the Asia Pacific dispute resolution group. Clients also single out Peter Voss in Sydney, who ‘provides an incredibly safe pair of hands’.

Dispute resolution: class actions Tier 1

In the words of one client, Ashurst fields a ‘high-powered practice with great client service from many of the partners’. The team is noted for its prominence in the financial services sector, among multiple others. Its client base is varied and consists of large banks and corporations, government bodies, liquidators, and insolvency firms. Brisbane-based Jeremy Chenoweth heads the national dispute resolution group. Based in Sydney and Melbourne respectively, Ian Bolster and Mark Bradley share leadership of the class action group. Of recent note, Bolster is taking the lead on acting for Woolworths Group in proceedings commenced in relation to the supermarket’s alleged underpayment of store managers. John Pavlakis in Sydney is known for his work relating to consumer class actions and third-party funding.

Dispute resolution: litigation Tier 1

Led out of Brisbane by Jeremy Chenoweth, Ashurst's dispute resolution group is at the forefront of litigation in the financial services, energy and resources, construction, and infrastructure sectors. The group’s contentious consumer law workload is growing, as a reflection of the market’s ever-increasing activity in the class action arena. Andrew Carter (Sydney) has specialist expertise in corporate and securities regulation. Also based in Sydney, Wen-Ts’ai Lim is noted for the breadth of his practice, with more recent work highlights spanning corporate litigation in the automotive and ports sectors, among others. Formerly a practice leader at DLA Piper, 'excellent commercial litigator' Rani John arrived at the Sydney-based office; this appointment bolstered the group’s regulatory and commercial litigation offering.

Energy (transactions and regulatory) Tier 1

Ashurst enjoys consistent relationships with blue-chip clients in the energy and oil & gas sectors, advising across a wide variety of transactional, regulatory, and project-related matters. Alongside high-value transactions, investments, and ventures, the team has notable capabilities in contentious matters and energy transformation projects, working with major domestic and international names on a push towards renewable energy. The team is led from Perth by Richard Guit, who oversees the energy practice and has a strong record in waste-to-energy projects, alongside oil & gas lead Peter Vaughan, who offers great transactional and regulatory expertise to projects across the Asia-Pacific. Brisbane's Paul Newman advises on large-scale energy and utility projects, encompassing LNG, electricity, and downstream gas. Michael Harrison is a highly experienced projects partner with international experience, while Brisbane-based senior associate Tara Graneri regularly works with foreign investors on oil & gas matters.

Environment and planning Tier 1

At Ashurst, the environment and planning team is extremely active in respect of major infrastructure schemes, recently acting on the WestConnex and Regional Rail Revival projects, among others; its expertise also extends to renewables and mining projects as well as related disputes, a front on which the group enjoys a proven track record in Federal Court proceedings issued by environmental NGOs. The practice has always been active as an advisor to governments and government agencies though has been increasingly busy in that space of late, often acting on planning-related appeals in the Planning and Environment Court. In Melbourne, Robert Jamieson’s status as an authority in the area is evident through his previously role as a part-time lecturer at the School of Environmental Planning at Melbourne University; he heads the practice together with Brisbane-based John Briggs who is a specialist in planning and local government law in Queensland in addition to environmental compliance matters, contamination issues and the laws governing carbon, water and the climate. The department has notable strength in depth with senior associates Paul Wilson and Jane Hall both playing active roles in key matters.

IT and telecoms Tier 1

Labour and employment Tier 1

Ashurst offers comprehensive coverage of workplace relations law, from employment law and executive remuneration through to industrial relations, and retains a highly impressive client base of Australian and international companies. Active at the forefront of recent developments in employment law, the practice has been providing strategic advice on the response to Covid-19 and acting on underpayment compliance matters for major Australian employers. Another area of strength is handling industrial relations for clients in the transport, retail, mining and government sectors. Practice head Stephen Woodbury in Sydney is a trusted adviser to his roster of market-leading clients. Other key team members include the Brisbane-based Ian Humphreys, a recognised name in complex strategic work, and financial services expert Jennie Mansfield in Sydney. A junior name to note is Julia Sutherland . In team news, Marie-Claire Foley retired to a consultant role in May 2020, and George Cooper moved in-house at IBM in January 2020.

Labour and employment: workplace health and safety (WHS) Tier 1

Ashurst provides leading workplace health and safety advice to an impressive client base consisting of both private and public sector clients, such as state and federal government agencies, major infrastructure projects, and energy and resources companies. The practice regularly acts on some of the most significant incidents in Australia, often involving fatalities and serious workplace accidents, appearing in prosecutions and inquests, as well as advising officers on personal liability. Advisory work is also a mainstay of the practice. The team is known for its advice on legal compliance and risk management. Practice head Lea Constantine remains highly active in investigations and is often called upon to lead on board-level advice to the practice's top clients. Highly active in the Brisbane office, James Hall is the go-to lawyer in the Queensland coal sector, while Trent Sebbens in Sydney is growing an active practice.

Media and entertainment Tier 1

Ashurst fields a full-service media and entertainment practice, specialising in transactions, regulatory and licensing matters, advertising, and pre-publication advice, among other matters. Practice head Lisa Ritson is also an expert when it comes to supporting media industry giants with IP matters while Robert Todd is widely considered one of Australia’s foremost defamation experts. The pair operate from Sydney, as does Anita Cade who is routinely engaged for production agreements, content licenses pertaining to movies, music, and television, as well as media-related disputes.

Native title Tier 1

Ashurst's dedicated native title team primarily supports major corporate clients, primarily in the mining and resources sectors, on native title elements of high-value transactions, including agreements with traditional owners, negotiations with governmental bodies, and high-level litigation. The practice offers considerable expertise in native title issues, regularly advising on government reviews of native title policy, providing evidence to hearings and litigation proceedings, and considering long-term operational issues such as taxation and trust management. The team is co-led by Brisbane-based Tony Denholder and Perth's Geoff Gishubl, both highly experienced native title lawyers who regularly advise on large-scale mining, resources, and energy projects, contributing to native title case law. Melbourne's Clare Lawrence is a specialist Aboriginal land lawyer who works with both public and private sector clients on land access, corporate governance, and monetary benefits issues.

Natural resources (transactions and regulatory) Tier 1

Ashurst provides long-term advice to major mining and minerals companies in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific, working with clients through the life-cycle of projects, including regulatory and operational issues, as well as advising on major transactions within the industry. The firm also advises industry groups across Queensland and Australia on strategic matters, reflecting its profile within the sector. Lorenzo Pacitti leads the Asia-Pacific mining team from Perth, advising key clients on major project developments and transactions across the region, as well as in South America and Africa. Richard Guit focuses on infrastructure development and operations, while Sydney's Michael Harrison has a diverse practice encompassing procurement, commercial advice, and financing support for resources projects. In Melbourne, Lynda Tully advises on cross-border resources transactions, joint ventures, and restructurings in a range of jurisdictions. Perth-based senior associate Christopher Barry works on all elements of mining projects, with particular expertise in commercial considerations such as royalties and offtake agreements.

Project development Tier 1

Ashurst is heavily involved in major projects across Australia, advising on large-scale road, rail, aerospace, and social infrastructure developments. The team is integrated nationally, and also regularly advises on projects across the Asia-Pacific, most notably the Honolulu Light Rail development in Hawaii. The team is led by Lee McDonald, who oversees the global projects team and regularly advises on major transport and infrastructure projects nationally and internationally, alongside Angus Foley, a regular adviser to public and private sector clients on transport and energy developments. Alex Guy specialises in infrastructure work and advises prolifically on PPP projects, while Melbourne's David Jardine is noted for his international expertise and role in major project procurements. Krista Payne has a strong record in light rail and other transport sectors, and has advised on projects in Australia and Europe. Lawyers are in Sydney unless otherwise stated.

Project finance Tier 1

Ashurst advises lenders and borrowers on high-value and complex project financing matters in the transport, construction, natural resources, and energy sectors. The team works with the wider projects practice as part of life-cycle advice on major projects, as well as advising individually on standalone financing and refinancing matters. Of particular note is the firm's extensive cross-border capabilities, with integration across Asia-Pacific offices allowing the team to act for international clients across the region. David Mason is a highly regarded specialist property finance lawyer with great expertise in energy and infrastructure transactions across the Asia-Pacific and Africa. Practice head Chris Redden regularly advises international banks and consortiums on cross-border financings. Perth's Gaelan Cooney works in the energy and resources sectors, specialising in work for development sponsors. Angus Foley oversees the transport infrastructure team, while Lee McDonald is overall projects head. Lawyers are in Sydney unless otherwise stated.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Ashurst's restructuring and special situations group covers all bases across insolvency, turnaround, restructuring, and distressed investing, attracting a broad and impressive client roster including top banks, insolvency practitioners, funds, and companies. The team is distinguished by its commitment to novel approaches to the restructuring of distressed debt and equity, its record of advising on schemes of arrangement, and its involvement in the Australian secondary debt market. The Sydney-based James Marshall heads up the team, with support from Ross McClymont in Melbourne and Jason Salman in Perth. Other key names include Sydney-based Tony Ryan, an expert on the Australian personal property securities regime, and Melbourne-based Michael Sloan. Junior partner Camilla Clemente in Sydney has expertise in creditors' schemes of arrangement. In team news, Alinta Kemeny joined the Melbourne office in May 2020 from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP following Lionel Meehan's departure to found Edwin Legal in November 2019.

Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Financial services regulatory Tier 2

Ashurst is regularly involved in complex and significant mandates for major clients in the financial services regulatory space. It has been highly active in the post-Royal Commission landscape, and in particular, has been instructed by a number of major Australian and international banks on the implementation of BEAR regulations. In addition to its strong advisory capability, the practice represents clients in major court proceedings, as well as investigation and enforcement activity. Sydney-based department head Jonathan Gordon focuses his practice on the regulation of financial services and financial markets, structured financial products, and corporate transactions. Philip Trinca in Melbourne, is an expert on retail, financial services, lending, regulatory compliance, FinTech, and dispute resolution. Other key lawyers are Silvana Wood, who brings many years of experience with the enforcement division of the UK FCA to her impressive roster of bank clients, and Corey McHattan, who also has a strong investment and trading bank client list.

Intellectual property Tier 2

Active across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious IP, Ashurst’s strength in this area is seen in its ability to attract new major clients, adding to a client list that already includes ten of the world’s top 20 brands. The firm provides end-to-end support on patents, copyrights, designs, trade marks, and advertising. It also has niche expertise in the regulation of food and therapeutic goods, media, lotteries and promotions, and product launches and labeling. Practice head Lisa Ritson manages IP portfolios for multinationals including Condé Nast and Lindt. Key figures in the contentious space include Stuart D’Aloisio, who is representing Samsung Bioepis in a biosimilar case against Pfizer; and Kellech Smith and Nina Fitzgerald, two ‘outstanding IP litigators’. The practice group is split between Sydney and Melbourne.

Real estate Tier 2

Ashurst fields a full-service real estate team with reputed capacity for acquisitions and divestments, developments, leasing matters, financing, and corporate property investment. Pauline Tan is at the helm of the practice which is noted for its sector-specific expertise in the government, hotel and leisure, REIT, and real estate fund areas. John Stawyskyj is based alongside Tan in Sydney with the pair both notably active on the cross-border front where the team represents a number of international companies on their Australia-related activities. The Brisbane office saw a significant arrival in Tim Mathers, the former practice head of DLA Piper; he arrives with a proven track record for large-scale development projects.

Tax Tier 2

Ashurst provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of tax law, including in the context of major transactions, tax litigation, general advisory work through to specialist advice on major construction projects. Although the practice generates work from a wide range of industries, the real estate, transport and infrastructure, energy, banking and finance and funds sectors are areas of strength. Key clients include the big four Australian banks, major investment banks, corporations and government entities. The practice is also known for its tax dispute capabilities. Vivian Chang, an expert on Australian and international tax aspects of corporate and financial services transactions, heads up the APAC tax practice from Sydney. Other key names include indirect tax specialist Barbara Phair in Sydney and the Melbourne-based Ian Kellock, who has recenlty been involved in a major M&A transactions in the resources, financial services and manufacturing industries. A junior partner to note is corporate tax specialist Sanjay Wavde in Sydney.

White-collar crime Tier 2

Ashurst's white-collar crime offering sits under the aegis of the departments of dispute resolution (headed by Jeremy Chenoweth), employment (led by Stephen Woodbury), strategic advisory (under Lea Constantine) and finance regulatory (with global head Jonathan Gordon). A major hiring coup for the firm was the arrival of leading white-collar crime practitioner Rani John from DLA Piper in November 2019, which significantly bolstered the firm's capability in this space. Her extensive experience encompasses ASIC and ACCC investigations, public inquiries and extends to high-profile white-collar trials. Other key lawyers include Alyssa Phillips in Brisbane, who regularly handles matters involving anti-bribery and corruption (ABC), competition and consumer protection laws, and junior partner James Clarke in Melbourne, whose practice includes advising clients in the energy and resources and financial services industries on ABC matters and investigations.

Insurance Tier 4

Fully integrated within the firm’s global network, Ashurst’s recent work stands out in the life insurance sector, where the group is acting on significant M&A transactions, including the Life Group’s A$3bn acquisition of AMP Life’s businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Other main areas of expertise are reinsurance and general insurance work, with a particular focus on the marine, aviation, space, construction sectors, among others. Rehana Box heads up the team, which acts for both insurers and insureds.

Capital markets

Ashurst offers sophisticated and specialist advice across the range of work in capital markets. Jamie Ng heads up the global markets division (comprising DCM, structured finance, securitisation, and derivatives). His area of specialism is structured finance, and he is also known as a leading lawyer in strategic equity derivatives transactions. The DCM practice often acts for major banks and high-profile clients on the full range of products. Caroline Smart is a notable specialist in this space. On the securitisation side, the team is frequently involved in major transactions and has a strong cross-border capability; it also benefits from Ng's expertise in derivatives as well as the broad expertise of Jennifer Schlosser. Bruce Macdonald and Sarah Dulhunty head up the ECM side of the department. Clients in this space include ASX-listed entities, major banks, and international financial intermediaries. A notable junior member of the team is counsel Andrew Kim, who combines M&A and ECM experience.