Establishing operations in Australia
Isuzu Ute Australia: advised on establishing its Australian subsidiary and regulatory issues regarding car dealership arrangements with various car dealers nationwide.
Confidential client: advised a US-based retail client with employment related matters when setting up operations in Australia.
Confidential client: advised a public Japanese retail holding company on employment matters regarding its venture into Australia.
Australian foreign investment regulatory frameworks
Accel Partners: legal adviser to the US-based technology venture capital firm on its A$128 million investment in ASX and NZX listed online accounting software provider, Xero.
Arthur J. Gallagher: advised NYSE-listed international risk management and insurance broking group AJG on the acquisition by group subsidiaries of Wesfarmers' insurance broking and premium funding operations for over A$1 billion.
Barrick Gold Corporation: Australian Counsel to Barrick Gold Corporation on its approximately C$7.3 billion bid to acquire ASX and TSX listed Equinox Minerals Limited.
Biostime International Holdings: legal adviser to Hong Kong-listed Biostime on its A$1.67 billion acquisition of Swisse Wellness Group Pty Ltd.
Bright Ruby: advised on the A$442 million acquisition by China-based Bright Ruby of the Hilton Sydney Hotel. This transaction is significant as it was one of the largest ever hotel deals in Australia.
China Investment Corporation: advised on the A$2.5 billion acquisition of the Investa Property portfolio.This is the largest Australian direct property acquisition ever.
Chubu Electric Power: advised on its equity investment in, and significant long term LNG off-take arrangements from, the Ichthys LNG Project.
Japanese consortium: representing a Japanese corporation on its competitive bid to acquire 100% interest in Supagas Victoria's whole business. This competitive sale process required FIRB approval, which was successfully obtained.
Japan Post Co., Ltd: Australian Counsel to Japan Post on its A$6.5 billion bid to acquire ASX-listed Toll Holdings.
Khazanah Nasional Berhad: advised on the acquisition of 100% of the issued share capital in AFS Diary Company Australia Pty Ltd.
Corporate and tax structuring
Confidential client: advising a Philippines investor on the structure and ongoing operation of a proposed joint venture investment into the proposed privatisation of various Victoria infrastructure property assets.
Confidential client: advised the Australian subsidiary of a NASDAQ listed techology company on the purchase of business assets of a New Zealand Corporation and a related partnership operating in Australia. This involved dealing with the US parent company and their US and NZ legal advisers on innovative tax structure to manage the acquisition.