Back to rankings
Australia
4

Banking and finance

Mills Oakley logo

Mills Oakley

More information
Mills Oakley's banking and finance team has strong capabilities in real estate finance, corporate and acquisition finance, structured products, and restructuring. Graeme Gurney leads the practice with expertise spanning real estate finance, structured finance, and restructurings. Monique Stella advises across corporate and development finance and construction and property finance, and also develops standard suites of documents. Peter Kennedy leads the Queensland practice with over 30 years’ experience.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The deep experience and depth of knowledge from Graeme Gurney, the partner we deal with most of the time, is great. We have given him extremely complex and difficult issues to resolve and he has performed extremely well.'

  • ‘I deal specifically with the Mills Oakley Finance & Banking Team. The main strength is the ability to quickly ascertain the transaction and provide accurate and timely advice on complex debt structuring. Speed and collaboration are another key to the relationship; on numerous occasions the team has been able to complete documents within 48 hours to ensure urgent transactions are completed.’

  • ‘My main contact is Graeme Gurney, and on occasion, he will draw on the expertise within their wider team to ensure that work loads are evenly distributed to ensure a timely result. Graeme is very approachable and puts the client and their interests at the forefront. Mills Oakley is a trusted and key adviser to our business.’

  • ‘Banking and finance team led by a very experienced lawyer. More nimble and responsive than larger firms.’

  • ‘Graeme Gurney is highly experienced, communicates well and is always looking for solutions while highlighting risks to help determine which option to pursue.’

  • ‘The team's 'can do' attitude, commercial approach to problem solving and attention to detail makes this practice unique. The team's collaborative approach with clients (from large banking institutions to small and boutique lenders) and timely advice has made the team a leader in its field, and I wouldn't hesitate to refer them to other clients.’

Key clients

  • AEP Developments
  • American Express
  • Atomos Limited
  • Austar Group
  • AusFinance Group
  • Bank of Communications
  • Bank of Queensland Limited
  • BOQ Equipment Finance Limited
  • BluPrint X
  • Birch and Waite Holdings
  • Capstone Holdings Inc.
  • China Everbright Bank Co. Ltd

Work highlights

Acting for Lincon Finance in connection with the refinance with Westpac of two newly developed mixed residential and retail towers at Zetland NSW.
Representing  Perfection Fresh in restructuring its approximately $200m Secured Common Terms Deed.
Advising a borrower on putting in place the financing used to fund the acquisition of the Stamford Hotel from JDH.

Practice head

Graeme Gurney

Other key lawyers

Monique Stella; Peter Kennedy