Hall & Wilcox Health & Community team assists acquisition of supported employment business for people with disability to learn trade skills

Hall & Wilcox recently assisted Wallara in its acquisition of Brunswick Industries’ supported employment business. This matter involved the acquisition of the business and assets, including the transfer of lease and employees.

The team was led by Alison Choy Flannigan (Partner, Corporate & Commercial, and Co-Lead, Health & Community), Jane Baddeley (Partner, Property & Projects) and James Blok (Lawyer, Corporate & Commercial and Health & Community).

The matter demonstrates the cross-practice advice and collaboration with our client’s in-house team. Hall & Wilcox provided corporate and commercial M&A advice, disability regulatory advice and property law assistance. The client’s directors include an employment lawyer who advised on the employment law aspects of the deal.

Wallara is an innovative, sector-leading support service for adults with different abilities. Based in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs, Wallara supports over 500 people across 20 sites to ‘Grow, Work, Explore and Live’ in their community. Wallara is committed to the areas of work and education. The organisation seeks to drive social change through innovative partnerships. Wallara’s work programs focus on horticulture, hospitality, retail, media and logistics.

While providing employment for people living with disabilities, Brunswick Industries provides manufacturing services such as liquid filling services, liquid cleaning solutions, and assembly and packing.

The acquisition will provide further opportunities for supported employees in the region.

Partner Alison Choy Flannigan said, ‘It was great to work so collaboratively with our client’s in-house team on this not-for-profit M&A deal where the charitable purposes synergies and cultural fit between the parties was important.’

Phil Hayes Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Wallara said, ‘We thank Alison and the Hall & Wilcox team for guiding us through this transaction. Their experience in the M&A field was really valuable.’

Hall & Wilcox is a leading independent law firm. We have more than 1000 people, including 120+ partners, working across eight offices. We build partnerships with and service corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia.