Michelle Eastwell

Michelle is an experienced corporate lawyer specialising in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions and alternative fund raisings, based in Brisbane. In addition, Michelle works closely with her clients to assist with corporate governance issues and regulatory compliance, in particular ASX Listing Rules and Corporations Act matters. Michelle works with clients to negotiate significant commercial agreements and provides commercial advice on business critical matters.

With clients across a range of sectors, Michelle works with companies listed on the ASX and other stock exchanges as well with unlisted companies, including emerging businesses. Michelle has a specific interest in the technology, financial services and biotech sectors. Michelle prides herself on the relationships she has with clients and is committed to working alongside her clients in the long term and contributing to their growth and success.

Michelle’s expertise includes:

• capital markets. Advising on equity capital raisings, via private placements, entitlement offers and share purchase plans as well as debt and hybrid raisings encompassing various forms of convertible securities.
• stock exchange listings on the ASX as well as TSX (Toronto) and AIM (London). Working closely with clients and their advisors during the entire listing process and initial public offering and taking a lead role in managing the overall transaction team.
• mergers and acquisitions. Advising on various forms of mergers and acquisitions both domestic and cross border, whether by way of a share or asset sale, takeover or merger on both a friendly and hostile basis. Advising on structure and tactics, leading due diligence investigations, negotiating transaction documents and navigating regulatory hurdles.
• regulatory advice and compliance. Advising on regulatory compliance issues, particularly in respect of the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules as well as matters relating to financial services, products and licencing within Australia. Advising on emerging areas of law such as equity crowd funding and token offerings.
• equity incentives. Advising on employee ownership plans and implementation for listed and unlisted companies.
• corporate governance advice. Assisting on implementing corporate governance policies and advising on corporate governance matters.
• company secretarial assistance. Assisting company secretaries with compliance matters including drafting ASX announcements, reviewing annual reports, preparation of notices of meeting and attendance at board, committee and shareholder meetings.
• contract negotiation and review. Drafting and advising on a wide variety of commercial contracts including shareholders agreements, joint venture agreements, share sale and asset sale agreements, services agreements, manufacturing and distribution agreements.