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5

Corporate and M&A

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Kain Lawyers

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Kain Lawyers’corporate and M&A team specialises in mid-market transactions, advising on acquisitions, capital raisings, and fund establishments in the agribusiness, infrastructure, and technology sectors. Clients praise the team’s ‘clear, prompt advice’. Michael Garry leads on private equity deals, while James Burchnall, who is noted for ’outstanding knowledge of takeover provisions,’ advises on public M&A schemes. David Mitchell, another notable member of the group, focuses on agritech investments. James Tannock and Stephen Vrettos joined the firm from Hamilton Locke in January and April of 2025, and Brendan Wykes departed in April.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: NPS ®

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Nick Brown is very relatable and responsive. Knows his stuff and is extremely commercial and practicable. Generous with his time. Considerate in his billing and responsive to feedback. Great person to put in front of our Board because will present clearly, answer questions, not defensive, exudes trust and provides comfort.'
  • 'James Burchnall has outstanding knowledge of takeover provisions. Able to back up knowledge with experience which creates trust. Very thorough and an excellent practitioner.'
  • 'Working with Nick Brown and James Burchnall feels like a partnership rather than just a client/advisor as they listen, take feedback and respect my knowledge of the business and transaction, whilst still adding value with their expertise.’

  • ‘The team has a culture of promptly providing clear and commercial advice for a reasonable price. They do not unnecessarily equivocate or hedge their bets which is refreshing.’

  • ‘David Mitchell & Michael Garry are both exceptional commercially and make themselves available constantly.’

  • 'Michael Garry has been our primary contact and he has experience, commercial nous and a calm problem solving demeanour and approach. His team have been responsive and invested in our success.'

  • 'They have been one stop shop across corporate, deal, FIRB, land; only seeking external advice on tax/stampduty bespoke items.’

Key clients

  • Kelsian Group Limited
  • SC Capital Partners
  • KeyInvest Limited
  • YES Group (SA) Pty Ltd
  • Lighthouse Industries
  • Cibus Capital LLP
  • Conscious Investment Management
  • Nash Capital
  • Nash Advisory
  • January Capital
  • Vendor Panel Group
  • Arbor Permanent Owners

Work highlights

Advised Symphony Infrastructure Partners Pty Ltd on a $488m Series-A financing round led by funds managed by Blackstone investing $300m, supported by a $188m senior debt facility from Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Acted for Pace Farm, one of Australia’s largest egg producers with a large supply base spread across the Eastern states of Australia, on the acquisition of Kinross Farms in 2025.
Assisted Silva Capital with establishing a joint venture between investment managers Roc Partners and C6 Investment Management, as well as its initial asset acquisitions.

Practice head

Michael Garry; Gerry Cawson; James Burchnall; David Mitchell; John Kain; Nick Brown; Catherine Debreceny

Other key lawyers

James Tannock; Stephen Vrettos; Jacob Thomas; Jeremy Collins