Mergers and Acquisitions

Our mergers and acquisitions team is widely recognised for their awareness and appreciation of the value drivers and range of issues arising out of M&A transactions.

Our in-depth understanding of medium to large enterprises, and the regulatory framework in which they operate, enables us to provide real value when advising on divestments or acquisitions for between $5 million and $250 million. Given the complexity and importance of these transactions, our team of leading corporate advisors draw on their broad experience and expertise in a complete range of practice areas in order to develop innovative business structures that meet our clients’ commercial objectives.

In this video, Eden Winokur and Jacqui Barrett discuss the key lessons regarding cyber due diligence in M&A transactions that can be learned from the Marriott case.

Independent and tailored service

We are a leading independent law firm, committed to delivering outstanding technical and commercial services in relation to all aspects of public and private M&A. Our focus is on understanding our clients’ businesses, and we know the importance of tailoring our advice and guidance to the unique and important features of each individual transaction.

Industry focus and expertise

We have built strong industry connections, and understand the complex range of issues that our M&A clients face when undertaking corporate transactions. Our M&A team has particular expertise and experience in key industries, including technology and digital economy, financial services and insurance, health and community, and the public sector.

Collaborative approach to M&A

We pride ourselves on the firm’s collegial culture. In the context of M&A deals, we cover all services required for successful transactions, including corporate and commercial, property, tax, FIRB (foreign investment approvals), intellectual property, competition law, banking and finance, employment law and migration.

Smarter Law

We are renowned for our Smarter Law approach. We look beyond the status quo to think differently and find efficient solutions that are optimal for the particular circumstances of each client. We are constantly challenging existing business models, implementing forward-thinking technological solutions and engaging in creative resourcing. For M&A transactions, this means getting the deal done faster, cheaper and better.

Extensive corporate network

Our strong networks with corporate advisors and other M&A professionals throughout Australia means that we are able to facilitate broad-ranging strategic advice in order to get transactions completed efficiently. These local connections are coupled with extensive international relationships that also enable our M&A team to act for multinational clients with Australian interests.

Our recent deals

Quad Lock

Advised the founders of Quad Lock on the sale of their interests to the Thule Group, in a deal that values Quad Lock at $500 million.

ABC Pastry Holdings

Advised ABC Pastry Holdings on its $33.7 million business sale to Nissin Foods Company Limited.

AMP

Provided external legal support to AMP Limited (ASX: AMP) on the sale of its portfolio of financial planning investments to AZ NGA, and on the formation of its strategic partnership with Entireti Limited (resulting in the creation of a new ownership structure for the AMP Advice licensee business).

Onboarded Pty Ltd

Advised Onboarded Pty Ltd, an Australia-based technology provider of recruitment onboarding software, on its sale to UK-based provider The Access Group.

Arena REIT

Advised Arena REIT on its recently announced $120 million capital raising and the portfolio acquisition of six early learning centre (ELC) properties. Arena REIT is an ASX200 listed property group that develops, owns and manages social infrastructure properties across Australia.

Vasco Trustees

Advised the shareholders in Vasco Trustees, one of Australia’s largest fund service providers, on the sale of Vasco Trustees and associated entities to TMF Group, a leading provider of global administrative services.

CHG-Meridian

Advised CHG-Meridian, a German-owned, leading global technology2use company, on its acquisition of Maia Financial’s commercial leasing portfolio.

iGreenData Pty Ltd

Advised shareholders of iGreenData Pty Ltd, a leading cloud-enabled, data-centric digital solutions company, on the acquisition of iGreenData Pty Ltd by Synechron, a global digital transformation consulting firm headquartered in New York.

Tobii Dynavox

Advised Tobii Dynavox AB (publ), a Swedish company and global leader in assistive communication listed on the Stockholm stock exchange, on its acquisition of Link Assistive Pty Ltd, the leading supplier of communication aid solutions in Australia and New Zealand.

View more deals

Advised the owners of Casacir Pty Ltd on the sale of their shares in the company, which operates a number of quarries in Eastern Victoria, as well as acting on the sale of the sites at which certain hard rock quarries are situated, in a deal worth approximately $70 million.
Advised fintech business Adatree on the sale of 100% of its shares to Fat Zebra, the leading Australian payments gateway.
Advised McKenzie Group Consulting Pty Ltd in acquiring specific assets from Hendry Group Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed).
Advised NewCold on its acquisition of the Karras Group.
Advised on the sale of 100% of the shares in myprosperity to HUB24.
Advised Spirit Super, an Australian industry super fund, on its joint acquisition, with US infrastructure investor Stonepeak, of GeelongPort.
Advised Nostra Property Group on its agreement to acquire Porter Davis’s multiple dwelling business.
Advised Breakthrough Victoria, the Victorian Government’s investment fund, on its recent $5 million investment in FLAIM Systems as part of FLAIM’s recent Series A capital raise.
Advised the owners of international logistics and supply chain management specialist ACA International on its sale to Dachser.
Waldner group Advised the Waldner group on its acquisition of the business of Laboratory Systems Group Pty Ltd.
Caraniche: Advised the owners of psychological and behavioural health services provider Caraniche on its sale to WISE Employment Ltd.
Captia Pty Limited: Acted for Captia Pty Limited as the trustee of the Captia Trust in relation to the sale of Sydney Surgical Centre to the CURA Day Hospitals Group.
Dandy Premix: Advised the sellers of Victorian integrated construction materials business Dandy Premix on the $85 million sale of the business to Maas Group Holdings Limited.
Maggie Beer Holdings: Advised Maggie Beer Holdings (ASX: MBH) on the sale of St David Dairy to Goulbourn Valley Creamery.
Lumi Interactive: Advised Lumi Interactive, an Australian female-founded team of game developers, on its US$6.75 million (approximately A$9.76 million) series seed priced equity capital raise round.
Deluxe Small Business Sales, Inc.: Advised Deluxe Small Business Sales, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NYSE-listed Deluxe Corporation, on the sale of all its shares in Hostopia Australia Holding Co Pty Ltd to Newfold Digital, Inc.
Weston Williamson + Partners: Advised UK-headquartered international architectural practice Weston Williamson + Partners on the Australian aspects of the company’s sale to major consulting and engineering group Egis.
Putzmeister: Assisted German headquartered Putzmeister Group on their acquisition of Australian-based CPE Machinery.
Focus on Furniture group: Advised the shareholders of the Focus on Furniture group on its $80 million sale to Adairs Limited.
DGIT Systems: Advised the shareholders of DGIT Systems on their sale of the business to CSG International, a global business support systems provider.
Australian Botanical Products: Advised leading essential oil supplier Australian Botanical Products on its acquisition by IXOM, a multinational water treatment and chemical distribution company.
PharmaLex: Advised leading international medical technology consultancy PharmaLex GmbH on its acquisition of a majority interest in Australian health science consultancy Brandwood CKC.
Big Ant Studios: Advised sports video game maker Big Ant Studios on its €35 million acquisition by French-based company Nacon SA.
ArborSafe: Advised the founders of tree asset management software business ArborSafe Australia on their sale to Civica, a global company building smart software that helps improve public services.
Tata Consumer Products: Advised Earth Rules, a subsidiary of Tata Consumer Products, on the divestment of its MAP out-of-home coffee business in Australia.
Maggie Beer Holding: Advised Maggie Beer Holdings (ASX: MBH) on its $40 million acquisition of e-commerce company Hampers & Gifts Australia.
Channel Capital: Advised Channel Capital, an Australian investment management company servicing more than A$16 billion in assets, on an investment in it by Kudu Investment Management, LLC.
Focus Financial Partners: Acted on its acquisition of Melbourne-headquartered ultra-high net worth financial adviser Escala Partners.
Keg Services: Advised Keg Services Pty Limited on the sale of all the company’s shares to Konvoy Holdings Pty Ltd.
Quad Lock: Advised the co-founders of startup Quad Lock, on the sale of a majority interest in their company to Quadrant Growth Fund.
AmorePacific: Advised on its investment in Australian luxury skincare brand Rationale. AmorePacific is the world’s 12th largest cosmetics company and this was its first investment in an Australian brand in the Australian market.
Sto Group: Advised German company Sto Group on its acquisition of Unitex, an Australian manufacturer and distributor of building products for residential and commercial architectural products.
Baxters Food Group Advised this international food manufacturing business, headquartered in Scotland with operations in the UK and internationally, including in Australia. We have acted for Baxters in three acquisitions in Australia.
IAG Acted as lead external counsel in the sale of Lumley Retail Warranty business.
Aon Acted on the strategic acquisition of a large specialist insurance brokerage, which involved the acquisition of the issued share capital in the target entity.
Sealed Air Corporation Acted on the Australian aspects of the sale of its Diversey Care division. The global value of the deal is US$3.2 billion.
Deus Ex-Machina Acted on the Australian aspects of the acquisition of equity of an Australian Motorcycle and Clothing company.
Calliden Group Limited Acted on its acquisition by way of a members’ scheme of arrangement worth approximately A$105 million involving ASX-listed insurance firm, Steadfast Group Ltd, and Munich Re.
CHG Meridian AG Acted in its acquisition of the technology fleet management business formerly owned by Commonwealth Bank and the business’s founders.
iX Biopharma Acted for this Singapore-based company in the sale of its subsidiary Chemical Analysis Pty Ltd to Eurofins Australia New Zealand Holdings, the subsidiary of a European-listed provider of food, environment and pharmaceutical product.