Capital Markets
Corporate & Commercial 
Mergers & Acquisitions Our extensive experience and knowledge of market practices together with our established relationships allow us to add significant value in managing equity capital markets (ECM) transactions. Our equity capital markets lawyers have significant experience in capital raisings, listings and other capital market transactions, including in managing initial public offers (IPOs) and ASX listings and preparing and advising on offers and disclosure documentation. Our broad capital markets experience coupled with our ability to deliver creative, commercial solutions means we are well placed to advise both listed and unlisted companies on their capital markets transactions.
IPOs and ASX listings
We act for companies and responsible entities on initial public offers and ASX listings. We work closely with our clients and their advisors in managing the IPO and listing process, tailoring our delivery to meet our clients’ business needs, resourcing and project timeframes. Our team has a deep understanding of the requirements and approaches taken by investors and underwriters/lead managers, as well as expertise in the evolving regulatory landscape. This, along with our strong relationships with regulators, enables us to provide relevant and informed advice on the key issues that arise throughout any IPO or listing transaction.
Secondary capital raisings and capital markets advisory
We have extensive experience in secondary retail and institutional offerings, capital raising transactions by REITs and other managed investment schemes, recapitalisations, stapled security structures, on-market and off-market buy-backs and capital reductions. We prepare and advise on offer and disclosure documentation, including:
- prospectuses;
- product disclosure statements;
- information memoranda; and
- cleansing notices.
We frequently advise unlisted companies on seed capital and pre-IPO raisings.
Independent and tailored service with strong relationships
Our team works with a range of external advisers including brokers, underwriters, accountants and corporate advisors. We pride ourselves on the firm’s collegial culture and work closely with other Hall & Wilcox experts as required. We take the time to understand what our clients’ needs are and we know the importance of tailoring our advice and guidance to suit the unique features of each transaction.
Industry focus and expertise
Our team has expertise and experience in key industries, including technology and digital economy, financial services and insurance, property and projects, and health and community. We have built strong industry connections which enable us to understand the complex range of issues that our clients face when undertaking capital markets transactions.
Smarter Law
We are renowned for our Smarter Law approach. We are constantly challenging existing business models, implementing forward-thinking technological solutions and engaging in creative resourcing. For capital market transactions, this means getting the deal done faster and more efficiently while allowing our clients to focus on achieving their commercial objectives.
Members of our team are internationally recognised as leading lawyers in capital markets in Australia.
Our capital markets transactions
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.
Advising Maggie Beer Holdings (ASX: MBH) on its $30.0m capital raising involving a $10.9m placement and a $19.1m accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer (fully underwritten by Bell Potter Securities Limited), to fund the cash component of its $40.0m acquisition of e-commerce company Hampers & Gifts Australia.
Arena REIT
Advising Arena REIT (ASX:ARF) on its fully underwritten $75.0m IPO and ASX listing and numerous capital transactions (including the internalisation of its funds management business to become a triple stapled internally managed A-REIT and the merger by stapling of Arena REIT and Sydney HealthCare Trust).
Powerwrap
Advising Powerwrap Limited (ASX: PWL), one of Australia’s leading wealth management and administrative platforms, in respect of its $17.4m IPO and ASX listing (fully underwritten by Bell Potter Securities Limited and Baillieu Limited). Subsequently advising on the successful $70.0m off market takeover bid by Praemium Limited (ASX:PPS).
Victory Offices
Advising DomaCom Limited (ASX:DCL), Australia’s first fractional investment platform, on its $23.71m IPO and ASX listing.
Aussie Broadband
Advising Aussie Broadband Pty Ltd on its $25 million pre-IPO capital raising through the issue of convertible notes.
APN Industria REIT IPO
Advising APN Funds Management Limited on the $250 million IPO and ASX listing of APN Industria REIT (ASX:ADI).
Advising Arena REIT on its $55.0m capital raising involving a $50.0m institutional placement (fully underwritten by Morgan Stanley) and a $5.0m securities purchase plan.
Acumentis
Advising Acumentis (ASX: ACU) (formerly LandMark White Limited) in respect of its $5.5m partially underwritten rights issue and public offer and in respect of institutional placements.
APN Property Group IPO
Acting for APN Property Group Limited (ASX:APD) on its underwritten $31m IPO and ASX listing, subsequent institutional placements, director sell-down, non-renounceable rights offers and restructure to form a stapled group.
Netccentric
Advising Netccentric, a Singapore-headquartered fintech company (ASX: NCL), in respect of its $9.35m IPO and ASX listing.
Inabox Group
Acting for Inabox Group Limited (ASX:IAB) on its IPO and ASX listing.
Xantippe Resources
Advising Xantippe Resources (ASX:XTC) on multiple capital raisings including a placement and share purchase plan with 1 for 2 attaching options, and a renounceable rights issue.
Adslot
Advising Adslot Ltd (ASX:ADS) in respect of a $4.25 million capital raising consisting of a $1.1 million placement and a fully underwritten $3.15 million rights issue.
Advising Arena REIT, an ASX300 listed property group, on its $70.0m capital raising involving a $60.0m institutional placement (fully underwritten by Morgan Stanley) and a $10.0m securities purchase plan.
APN Funds Management
Advising APN Funds Management Limited in respect of the recapitalisation (through a withdrawal offer, $36.0m rights issue and public offer underwritten by Morgans) and delisting of the APN Regional Property Fund.
APN stapling transaction
Advising APN Property Group Limited on its restructure to form a stapled group listed on the ASX, which included the listing of a new registered managed investment scheme and stapling of the units in that scheme with the existing listed shares.
Key contacts
James has particular expertise in equity capital markets, corporate transactions, and public and private M&A.
Michelle Eastwell
Partner
Michelle is an experienced corporate lawyer specialising in mergers & acquisitions, capital markets and ASX listings.
Deborah Chew
Partner
Deborah is a leading commercial transaction lawyer with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets.
John Hutchinson
Consultant
Corporate & commercial lawyer John is a consultant for the firm. His work focuses on property fund M&A.
Our team
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