The corporate team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts demonstrates expertise that covers public and private M&A transactions, private equity and capital markets work, as well as corporate governance and regulatory matters. The group works with major international corporations, local trade buyers, listed companies, and financiers on a variety of transactions, with notable expertise in the food and beverage, agriculture and forestry, and healthcare sectors. The team benefits from the joint leadership of Neil Millar and John Conlan, who specialise in the private equity and energy areas, respectively. The team further includes talented lawyers such as Mark Forman, Mark Stuart, and Igor Drinkovic. Lauren Archer is a name to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘A very commercial focus. Great understanding of business beyond the legal side of things.'
- ‘MinterEllison’s Corporate and M&A team stood out for its commercial judgement, strong transaction leadership, and ability to remain pragmatic under pressure. The firm demonstrated strong cross-border transaction capabilities, clear commercial judgement, and consistent partner-level engagement. Their ability to manage multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders efficiently set them apart. Communication was crisp, advice was practical, and the team maintained strong momentum through closing.’
- ‘Neil Millar led the transaction and was outstanding—highly responsive, commercially sharp, and calm under pressure. His judgment and clarity on key deal risks were particularly valued.'
- ‘Neil Miller provided responsive and very pragmatic advice. He demonstrated considerable client management skill in dealing with a highly stressed CEO during a long and difficult transaction. His empathy helped the CEO make some very difficult decisions and the CEO went from being relatively sceptical of the value that a large corporate M&A firm could bring to becoming very confident that they had the best lawyer and being prepared to be advised.’
- ‘Highly experienced team, with a mixture of well respected senior partners, junior hands-on partners and high calibre junior lawyers.'
- 'Igor Drinkovic is an exceptionally good lawyer. Intelligent, great understanding of business and its complexities, and an overall great guy! He has provided excellent advice on many issues and is always very responsive with quick turnaround times. ’
Key clients
- ANZ Bank
- Brookfield
- Five V Capital Pty Ltd
- Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
- Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation
- Sumitomo Corporation
- Tourism Holdings Limited (thl)
- Tower Limited
- Warner Bros Discovery
- Z Energy Group
Work highlights
Acted for Toweron on its NZD45 million capital return via a Court-approved Scheme of Arrangement. This complex, multi-regulator process involved Inland Revenue, NZX, shareholders, and the Reserve Bank.
Acted for Ngāi Tahu on its Project Rākau joint venture with Fiera Comox, involving the sale of forestry assets and the grant of a 35-year forestry right over the West Coast Plantations Estate.
Acted for Waterman Private Capital and other shareholders on the sale of Fusion5 Group Holdings Limited to BGH Capital.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Lauren Archer
Practice head
Neil Millar; John Conlan
Other key lawyers
Mark Forman; Mark Stuart; Igor Drinkovic; Lauren Archer