A word from Key Media
Justin Kennedy Managing Director APAC, Key Media
What to expect on the night
2023 Sponsors
Law Firm Leader of the Year (1-100 Employees)
In January of this year, Australasian Lawyer put out the call to nominate firms, lawyers and in-house departments across Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 Australasian Law Awards, which celebrated the best in the industry over the past 12 months. In addition to members of the legal profession, banks and accountancy firms were invited to present the names of those they thought deserved to be recognised on one of the legal profession’s most prestigious nights.
Premium partner
Award sponsors
Supporting publication
Brought to you by
more
Law Firm Leader of the Year (101-500 Employees)
Law Firm Leader of the Year (>500 Employees)
Insurance In-house Team of the Year
Resolution Institute Australian Arbitrator of the Year
Resolution Institute Australian Mediator of the Year
Legal Service Provider of the Year
NZ Deal Firm of the Year
Boutique Firm of the Year
Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (35 or under)
Australian Dealmaker of the Year
NZ Dealmaker of the Year
Celebrating the best in the Australasian legal profession
On a star-studded night, the leading experts, firms and in-house legal teams in the Australasian region lit up the Fullerton Hotel
The team at Australasian Lawyer were extremely proud to host the Australasian Law Awards for the seventh year in 2023. Australasian Lawyer continues to be Australia’s leading media resource for legal professionals, delivering essential news, insights and analysis to you each week. Businesses across Australia and New Zealand have been able to pick themselves back up this year after a tumultuous period, and the work of law firms and lawyers has been so valuable in supporting this comeback. The way the legal profession has highlighted what excellence looks like through times of trial and victory is truly worthy of recognition. Every year, the judging panel is increasingly impressed by the quality of Excellence Awardee submissions for the Australasian Law Awards, commenting on the complexity, professionalism, innovation and legal acumen demonstrated by legal professionals – and 2023 has been no exception. The awards reward the finest in the country's legal profession, from in-house teams, law firms, mediators and young lawyers to the most significant deals of the past year. The awards represent the pinnacle of achievement for lawyers and law firms. Key Media would like to thank the panel of judges who contributed their time and considerable knowledge to the judging process. With hundreds of high-calibre nominations from Australasia’s best law firms and lawyers, the competition was very strong – the winners represent the best of this elite group. Finally, we would like to thank all our sponsors whose generous support of these awards is greatly appreciated. Our thanks go out to Clayton Utz, Resolution Institute and SP Search & Consulting.
Banking & Financial Services In-House Team of the Year
Debt Market Deal of the Year
Equity Market Deal of the Year
Infrastructure & Projects Deal of the Year
By February, the Australasian Lawyer team had an extensive collection of quality nominations across 32 categories. These categories looked into the achievements of individual lawyers, the deal work and initiatives launched by firms, and the remarkable contributions of in-house teams to their businesses, to name a few. The 2023 Excellence Awardees were announced on 20 March, and 44 legal experts assembled as the panel of independent judges with the unenviable task of evaluating the finalists’ entries to identify the winners in each category. Starry, starry night On the night of 18 May, members of the legal profession gathered in the ballroom of the Fullerton Hotel Sydney for cocktails before the awards ceremony officially kicked off. Laughs and smiles abounded as attendees, who busted out their best threads and sparkled in stunning gowns, took the opportunity to catch up and take photos as they walked the red carpet. Event host Dave Hughes kicked the event off with the humour he is well known for and took the opportunity to thank the legal profession for its contributions to the wider society over the past year, from pro bono work to ESG efforts. Attendees were treated to a stunning video package featuring the night’s Excellence Awardees, with organisations across Australia and New Zealand celebrating their accolades. Then the presenters of the Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year award took the stage to announce the night’s first winners. Current and upcoming trends in the law 2022 Australasian Law Awards winner Charles Cho was asked to be a judge this year for some categories – a process he said “made me appreciate how hard-won these awards are, given the quality of the applications”. Nonetheless, he appreciated the opportunity to “give back”. As GC at the NSW Treasury, Cho had the pleasure of seeing his colleagues at the Office of Energy and Climate Change Legal celebrate winning the Clayton Utz Australian In-house Team of the Year award. The team, which according to principal legal officer Jacqueline Fetchet was a “relatively new, small” one, had “worked really hard through a lot of change”. “We’re really excited to work on the clean energy outcomes for the NSW government,” Fetchet said, referring to the team’s work on the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. The roadmap, she explained, was “the NSW government's vision for transforming the electricity sector, transitioning to renewables, and creating a lot of community benefits all around the regions”. Renae Lattey, CEP of Law Firm of the Year (>500 Lawyers) winner King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), confirmed that energy transition was also an area of focus for large firms. “It’s all about sustainability and making sure that the work we do endures for generations to come,” said Fiona Wong, representing 2023’s NZ In-house Team of the Year. Meanwhile, Holman Webb Lawyers partner and national insurance team leader John Van de Poll sees insurance and insolvency as two growth areas to watch in the next 12 months. Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) partner Tony Damian, co-winner of the SP Search & Consulting Australian Dealmaker of the Year award, believes that “there’s a lot of foreign interest at the moment”, which along with the private capital market will keep M&A lawyers busy in the second half of the year. KWM senior associate Zoe Kaesehagen pointed to this year’s Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year, APA Group’s acquisition of Basslink, as an example of why the market might see more “dequity”. “It was an interesting acquisition from APA because they basically did a loan-to-own strategy,” she explained. “So watch that space”. For the winner of the Resolution Institute Australian Mediator of the Year award, Divorce Right’s Anne-Marie Cade, it’s about offering the services people need. “I used to run a law firm, and I found that people going through divorce were really not happy with the resolution they were getting in the court process,” Cade said. “Mediation gives them the opportunity to focus on their wants and needs and get to a really good outcome so they can co-parent peacefully. That’s so important”. That’s why event sponsor Resolution Institute continues to champion the different methods of dispute resolution. According to CEO Amber Williams, some current trends in this area of the law include an emphasis on emotional intelligence and communication skills, as well as a focus on ethical and sustainable practices. “There is a rising focus on ethical considerations and professional standards in dispute resolution. Professional bodies like Resolution Institute in Aus and NZ are developing and upholding codes of conduct, ethical guidelines and accreditation programs to ensure practitioners uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality and fairness. This provides a real opportunity for DR to be recognised as a profession as it continues to grow in strength and reputation,” Williams said. Tech as a pathway to smoother deals The process of working on 2023’s Mid-Market Deal of the Year was materially helped by the use of legaltech. According to Gilbert + Tobin (G+T) lawyer Michael Phillips, technology was applied in “a number of aspects, from due diligence through to key aspects of the deal”. “G+T as a firm tries its hardest to implement new legal technology where it counts to create pathways to run deals as efficiently and productively as possible for our clients,” he explained. G+T’s head of legal project management and design, Linda-Rose Daya, added that the firm “uses tech a lot in a number of different areas across different practice groups”. “We develop some of our own solutions, but we also use a number of the innovation frameworks. We upskill both our lawyers and our specialist team, so it really is a firm approach,” Daya said. This drive to innovate is what nabbed G+T the Excellence in Technology & Innovation award for the third year running. “One of the things we’re doing right now in terms of AI [is] how we’re looking at AI [with] a very targeted, structured approach at the firm,” Daya said. KWM has also been keeping an eye on what generative AI is doing for the business, while Legal Service Provider of the Year winner Thomson Reuters has been on the AI train for years. “We’ve been using AI for at least 10 years in our natural language search across the databases of information that we sell,” said Michael Horton, senior director – client relationship management for Asia & Emerging Markets. “It’s been generated utilising AI quite effectively, so we’re probably at the forefront of using it in the legal profession. We’re actually applying it across our content, and what drives great AI outcomes is great content”. For William Howe, forensic tech director at event sponsor Clayton Utz, generative AI in particular “holds tremendous potential to transform many industries, including law”. “There’s a lot of experimentation happening with generative AI, so it's important for lawyers to advise their stakeholders to ensure safety and mitigate the risks throughout the process”, he said. He added that in-house legal teams “should also be a key part of developing risk frameworks for generative AI, as without it some nuanced, and potentially novel, risks will slip through”. The 2023 Australasian Law Awards ended on a joyful note as winners basked in the bright lights with their shiny trophies, congratulating one another and highlighting that the awards are more than just an announcement of winners – they are a celebration of the profession.
Find out more
Jaime Frasca
Janya Eighani
Zina Edwards
Campbell Davidson
David Cullen
Emma Covacevich
Melissa Corbutt
Dan Cootes
Genevieve Collins
Charles Cho
Cindy Chen
Fay Calderone
Anna Buchly
Lucinda Browne
Rehana Box
Claire Bibby
Shane Barber
Kerry Awerbuch
Ben Allen
Teresa Allan
Chris Ahern
Thank you to our esteemed judges for lending their time and expertise to help recognise and celebrate excellence in the legal profession.
2023 Judging panel
Resolution Institute is the peak industry body across dispute resolution disciplines in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We are a vibrant community of mediators, arbitrators, expert determiners, adjudicators, restorative justice practitioners and other dispute resolution professionals. We value integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration, diversity and influence. We reflect these values in our work for and with our members. Contact details: Wellington Office Address: Level 4 Gleneagles Building 69–71 The Terrace Wellington 6011 Phone: +64 4 470 0110 / 0800 453 237 Email: infonz@resolution.institute Sydney Office Address: Suite 602, Level 6 Tower B, Zenith Centre 821-843 Pacific Highway Chatswood NSW 2067 PO BOX 440 Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone: +61 2 9251 3366 / 1800 651 650 Email: infoaus@resolution.institute
Premium Partner
Clayton Utz is a leader in legal services, bringing together teams of smart, committed and collaborative lawyers to guide our clients to the right solution and bring value to their businesses. We are known for our commercial approach, energetic culture and the way we embrace the complex and challenging. We are more than our commercial work – we have a genuine and substantial commitment to sustainability, diversity & inclusion, community and pro bono. Contact details: Mobile: +61 2 9353 4103 Email: bcooper@claytonutz.com Website: www.claytonutz.com
Award Sponsor
Resolution Institute is the peak industry body across dispute resolution disciplines in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We are a vibrant community of mediators, arbitrators, expert determiners, adjudicators, restorative justice practitioners and other dispute resolution professionals. We value integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration, diversity and influence. We reflect these values in our work for and with our members. Contact details: Wellington Office Address: Level 4 Gleneagles Building 69–71 The Terrace Wellington 601 Phone: +64 4 470 0110 / 0800 453 237 Email: infonz@resolution.institute Sydney Office Address: Suite 602, Level 6 Tower B, Zenith Centre 821-843 Pacific Highway Chatswood NSW 2067 PO BOX 440 Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone: +61 2 9251 3366 / 1800 651 650 Email: infoaus@resolution.institute
Robert Walters is a world-leading specialist professional recruitment consultancy. Hiring managers world-wide rely on us to find their best specialist professionals and our clients range from the largest corporates world-wide through to SMEs and start ups. We recruit people for permanent, contract and interim roles across the world. Contact details: Website: www.robertwalters.co.nz
Russell McVeagh is committed to operating on the cutting edge of legal practice in New Zealand. Characterised by a dynamic network of specialists who are champions for clients’ strategic goals, the full-service commercial law firm is known for outstanding client relations and teamwork. The firm's practice groups are respected as leaders in the market and assist New Zealand's top organisations with their most complex, challenging and high-profile matters. Contact details: Jo Avenell Chief Executive Officer Email: jo.avenell@russellmcveagh.com Phone: +64 (0) 9 367 8091 Website: www.russellmcveagh.com
Artemis is an award winning premium executive search and recruitment firm that specialises in legal, human resources and executive leadership appointments. Offering bespoke recruitment and search services across a range of functional disciplines including General Counsel, Partners, Lawyers, CEO’s, Managing Directors, General Management, Senior to mid-Management and Non-Executive Directors, Artemis offers national, Trans-Tasman and international search capability. The Artemis legal team specialises in all legal and legally related roles – from legal support roles (legal secretary, EA/PA, legal executive etc) to Partner and General Counsel appointments. If you have a legal recruitment need – we can assist. Artemis is proud to support the ongoing development of the New Zealand legal profession. Contact details: Kathryn Cross Managing Director Artemis Executive Recruitment Phone: +64 (0) 9 354 3543 Mobile: +27 (0) 700 8049 Email: kathryn.cross@artemisnz.com Website: www.artemisnz.com
Champagne Sponsor
Zina Edwards Partner, Head of Finance, Hamilton Locke
Campbell Davidson Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
David Cullen Group General Counsel – Legal & Governance, AMP
Emma Covacevich Deputy Chief Executive Partner, Clayton Utz
Melissa Corbutt Head of Legal – APAC, Bravura Solutions
Dan Cootes Head of Legal, SE Asia & Australasia, BT
Genevieve Collins Chief Executive Partner, Lander & Rogers
Charles Cho General Counsel, NSW Treasury
Cindy Chen Executive Director, Novm
Fay Calderone Partner – Employment & Workplace Relations; Co Chair – Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Committee, Hall & Wilcox
Anna Buchly Partner, Bell Gully
Lucinda Browne Head of People and Legal, Brighte Capital
Rehana Box Partner, Ashurst
Claire Bibby Founder & Managing Director, Claire Bibby
Shane Barber Managing Partner, Australia, Bird & Bird
Kerry Awerbuch Partner, Gadens
Ben Allen Partner, Dentons
Ilona Meyer
Scott Menck
Jodie Masson
Sue Kench
Melissa Keane
Katrina Johnson
Paul Hopkins
Kiley Hodges
Georgina Hey
Emma Hardy
Anne Haggar
Sarah Godden
John Nerurker Chief Executive Officer, Mills Oakley
Ilona Meyer General Counsel and Company Secretary, Nuix
Scott Menck Senior Legal Counsel, Aurecon
Jodie Masson Partner, Massons
Sue Kench Appointment to International Management Committee AU & Global Chief Executive (HK), King & Wood Mallesons
Melissa Keane Partner, Allens
Katrina Johnson General Counsel, WiseTech Global
Paul Hopkins Managing Partner, Carter Newell
Kiley Hodges Partner, Sparke Helmore Lawyers
Georgina Hey Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright
Emma Hardy Senior Legal Counsel – Operations and Disputes, Tri-Star Group
Sarah Godden Senior Executive Lawyer | Assistant Secretary of the Bargaining and Coverage Branch within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Attorney-General’s Department
Jaime Frasca Senior Legal Director & Company Secretary, ANZ, Dell Technologies
Janya Eighani Managing Partner, Lehman Walsh Lawyers
Chris Ahern Partner, Jones Day
Anne Haggar Global Legal Lead – Strategic Partnerships, Accenture
Teresa Allan Vice President | General Counsel and Ethics & Compliance Officer, Capgemini Australia & New Zealand
METHODOLOGY
JUDGING PANEL
AWARD CATEGORIES
SPONSORS
A word from our event partner
Methodology
Insurance Specialist Firm of the Year
Employment Law Specialist Firm of the Year
Excellence in Technology & Innovation
Excellence in Employee Health & Wellbeing
Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (35 or Under)
Mid-Market Deal of the Year
M&A Deal of the Year
Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year
Nick Nichola
John Nerurker
Media Partners
Stipe Vuleta
Sarah Tinsley
Michelle Thomsen
Troy Swan
Lyndall Stoyles
Geoff Simpson
Kristy Redfern
Dorothy Pawlukowski
Kelly Witts
Dorothy Pawlukowski Legal Head, National Australia Bank
Nick Nichola Managing Partner, Australia, K&L Gates
Lyndall Stoyles Group General Counsel & GE Sustainability, External Affairs & Legal, Telstra
Geoff Simpson Partner, Allen & Overy
Kristy Redfern General Counsel, AIA Australia
Troy Swan General Counsel & Company Secretary, Winc Australia
Swee Yue Tan Group Counsel, AGL Legal
Shaun Temby Partner, Maddocks
Stipe Vuleta Managing Director – Strategic Advisory, Chamberlains Law Firm
Sarah Tinsley General Counsel & Company Secretary, Culture Amp
Michelle Thomsen Group Executive – General Counsel, QIC
Kelly Witts Senior Legal Counsel, IMB Bank
Diversity Initiative of the Year
Law Firm of the Year (>500 Lawyers)
Law Firm of the Year (101-500 lawyers)
Swee Yue Tan
Chris Ahern Partner Jones Day
Ben Allen Partner Dentons
Kerry Awerbuch Partner Gadens
Shane Barber Managing Partner, Australia Bird & Bird
Teresa Allan Vice President | General Counsel and Ethics & Compliance Officer Capgemini Australia & New Zealand
Anna Buchly Partner Bell Gully
Cindy Chen Executive Director Novm
Charles Cho General Counsel NSW Treasury
Genevieve Collins Chief Executive Partner Lander & Rogers
Dan Cootes Head of Legal, SE Asia & Australasia Beyond Limits
Campbell Davidson Partner Squire Patton Boggs
David Cullen Group General Counsel – Legal & Governance AMP
Fay Calderone Partner – Employment & Workplace Relations; Co Chair – Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Committee Hall & Wilcox
Jaime Frasca Senior Legal Director & Company Secretary, ANZ Dell Technologies
Anne Haggar Global Legal Lead – Strategic Partnerships Accenture
Georgina Hey Partner Norton Rose Fulbright
Paul Hopkins Managing Partner Carter Newell
Katrina Johnson General Counsel WiseTech Global
Melissa Keane Partner Allens
Jodie Masson Partner Massons
John Nerurker Chief Executive Officer Mills Oakley
Nick Nichola Managing Partner, Australia K&L Gates
Kristy Redfern General Counsel AIA Australia
Sue Kench Appointment to International Management Committee AU & Global Chief Executive (HK) King & Wood Mallesons
Ilona Meyer General Counsel and Company Secretary Nuix
Geoff Simpson Partner Allen & Overy
Swee Yue Tan Group Counsel AGL Legal
Troy Swan General Counsel & Company Secretary Winc Australia
Michelle Thomsen Group Executive – General Counsel QIC
Sarah Tinsley General Counsel & Company Secretary Culture Amp
SP Search and Consulting is Australia’s leading legal executive search and consulting firm. We are trusted advisers to senior management of ambitious law firms on their most important projects. Formerly known as Scarlis Pringle, the firm has over 20 years of partner search and consulting experience for Australia’s leading law firms. The firm is led by Steven Scarlis and Patrick St John Contact details: Steven Scarlis Mobile: 02 9222 9000 Email: sscarlis@spcon.com.au
18 MAY 2023 | THE FULLERTON HOTEL SYDNEY
Law Firm of the Year (>500 lawyers)
Law Firm of the Year (1-100 Lawyers)
SP Search & Consulting Law Firm Leader of the Year (>500 Employees)
State/Regional Firm of the Year
SP Search & Consulting Australian Dealmaker of the Year
Young In-house Lawyer of the Year (35 or Under)
Australian In-house Lawyer of the Year
Clayton Utz Australian In-house Team of the Year
NZ In-house Team of the Year
Banking & Financial Service In-house Team of the Year
Awards in order of presentation
Hosted By Dave Hughes MC
Entertainment
Natural and unmistakably Australian, Dave Hughes is one of this country’s fastest comedic minds. Turning everyday foibles into rich and hilarious routines delivered in his classic laconic style, Hughesy owns the stage. Having dominated comedy clubs and stages for decades across the country, Dave’s comedy career has expanded into television and radio. Dave currently co-hosts the hugely popular radio show The Morning Crew with Hughesy, Ed and Erin on the HIT Network. He is a judge on the Network Ten’s The Masked Singer, wherein his incredible wardrobe, dad dancing and absolutely bonkers guesses have been highlights of this unique, runaway hit show. Dave appears regularly on all your favourite Aussie tv programs including The Hundred on Channel Nine, Celebrity Gogglebox, and Would I Lie To You? Australia both on Network Ten. Dave’s tv show Hughesy We Have a Problem, premiered on Network Ten in early 2018 to rave reviews and big audiences and ran for five consecutive seasons. In 2022, Hughesy brought us a brand-new live show called Trending, which he performed at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Adelaide Fringe Festival. Hughesy’s passion for his craft has never waned, and that’s why you will still find him any night of the week jumping up at comedy clubs big and small across the country.
MC
Dave Hughes
18 MAY 2023 THE FULLERTON HOTEL SYDNEY
Awards In Order of Presentation
Commemorative Guide
Winners Using a simple points system to aggregate judges’ scores, the Excellence Awardee with the highest score in each category was selected as the winner of that category. Winners were announced at the Australasian Law Awards on 18 May at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.
Judging The Australasian Law Awards team provided full details of each Excellence Awardee to an independent panel of judges. The panel assessed and scored each nomination according to strict criteria.
Confirmation of Excellence Awardees Once the research was completed, Excellence Awardees were selected in each category and notified via email. Excellence Awardees were also announced on Australasian Lawyers’ website on 20 March 2023.
Research The Australasian Law Awards team conducted research and drew on industry knowledge and information gained through Australasian Lawyer to identify the most outstanding firms, teams, individuals and deals in each category.
Nominations The legal industry was invited to nominate and provide insight into the most outstanding individuals, firms or organisations of the calendar year 2022. All nominations were made via the online nomination portal on the Australasian Law Awards website.
AGENDA
BACK
This award recognises an HR leader who has demonstrated excellence at the executive level over the past 12 months. Eligible finalists were senior-level leaders who report to the CEO and manage an HR team. Finalists were judged on their leadership, communication, strategy, drive and results.
Excellence Awardees
Administration of Probuild and its WBHO Infrastructure division
Lead firms: Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons
Ironbridge Legal restructures mining assets of Australian company in multi-jurisdictional deal
Lead firm: Ironbridge Legal
Restructuring of Camp Australia
Lead firms: Clayton Utz, Gilbert + Tobin, Herbert Smith Freehills
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Ashurst, Ernst & Young, Faraday Associates, FTI Consulting, Greenmount Capital, Jones Day, McGrathNicol, PwC, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, Rothschild & Co
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Bailey & Glasser, FTI Consulting, Frost Brown Todd, Hamilton Locke
Restructuring of Collection House
Lead firms: Allen & Overy, Clayton Utz
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Allens, Bell Gully, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, FTI Consulting, Westpac Banking Corporation
2degrees merger with Orcon Group
Lead Firms: Harmos Horton Lusk, Mayne Wetherell, Simpson Grierson
Other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Deloitte, Flacks & Wong, Matthews Law
Lead firms:
Ashurst, Gilbert + Tobin, Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons
Other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants):
Allens, Clayton Utz, Ernst & Young, FTI Consulting, Houlihan Lokey, Korda Mentha, PwC, White & Case
APA Group acquisition of Basslink
WINNER
Infrastructure and Projects Deal of the Year
Lendlease Building Contractors refurbishment of Frankston Hospital campus
Lead firm: King & Wood Mallesons
METRONET’s Byford Rail extension and Victoria Park–Canning Level Crossing Removal
Lead firm: Ashurst
OMERS Infrastructure acquisition of TPG Telecom’s mobile tower assets
Lead firms: Allens, Baker McKenzie
VicRoads Modernisation Project
Lead firm: MinterEllison
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Herbert Smith Freehills
Financing of the development of Hiringa Refuelling NZ's hydrogen refuelling network
Lead Firm: Anderson Lloyd
Other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Avid Legal, Beca, Bell Gully, Chapman Tripp, Marsh
Ernst & Young, Lander & Rogers, MinterEllison, Valorem
Ashurst
Lead firm:
Western Harbour Tunnel project
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group issue of ANZ Capital Notes 7
CSL Finance US$4 billion senior bond issue
Lead firms: Allen & Overy, Allens, Sidley Austin
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): ANZ Securities, BofA Securities, Citigroup, Ernst & Young Australia, Ernst & Young Switzerland, HSBC, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo Securities, Westpac Banking Corporation
Qualitas A$600 million funding package
Lead firm: Maddocks
Refinancing of Reliance Rail with $1.8 billion, 21-year Green Sustainability-Linked Loan
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Hall & Wilcox
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): King & Wood Mallesons, Latham & Watkins
King & Wood Mallesons, Latham & Watkins
Baker McKenzie, Cahill Gordon & Reindel, Herbert Smith Freehills
EQT acquisition of Icon Group
Acquisition of Crestone Wealth Management by LGT Group
Lead firm: Allens
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Corrs Chambers Westgarth, JP Morgan, Luminis Partners, PwC
Adamantem Capital acquisition of GenesisCare’s cardiology businesses
Lead firms: Gilbert + Tobin, Herbert Smith Freehills
Ganfeng joint venture with Leo Lithium and investment into Goulamina Lithium project
Lead firm: Dentons
Thiess takeover of MACA Limited
Lead firm: Squire Patton Boggs
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Allen & Overy, Ernst & Young, Lisle Group, Macquarie Capital, MinterEllison, PwC
Gilbert + Tobin
Anchorage Partners sale of Rail First Asset Management to consortium
A$650 million placement of Orica shares
Lead firms: Allen & Overy, Gilbert + Tobin
Air New Zealand Limited renounceable rights issue
Lead firms: Bell Gully, Herbert Smith Freehills
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Allen & Overy, Citigroup Global Markets, Forsyth Barr, Russell McVeagh, Sidley Austin, UBS New Zealand
Atlas Arteria’s A$3.1 billion non-renounceable entitlement issue
Lead firm: Gilbert + Tobin
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): King & Wood Mallesons, UBS
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group A$3.5 billion equity raise
Lead firms: Allens, King & Wood Mallesons, Sullivan & Cromwell
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): KPMG, Macquarie Capital, UBS Securities Australia
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Citigroup Global Markets Australia, J.P. Morgan Securities Australia, Sidley Austin
Herbert Smith Freehills, Sullivan & Cromwell
All-stock merger of BHP Petroleum business with Woodside Energy Group
Blackstone acquisition of Crown Resorts
Lead firms: Clayton Utz, Herbert Smith Freehills
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Addisons, Allen & Overy, Gilbert + Tobin, Gresham Partners, Morgan Stanley, UBS
Block Inc. acquisition of Afterpay
Lead firms: Gilbert + Tobin, King & Wood Mallesons
Brookfield Infrastructure acquisition of AusNet Services
Lead firms: Allens, Herbert Smith Freehills
Sale of Axicom to Australia Tower Network
Lead firms: Allens, Gilbert + Tobin
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Allen & Overy, Jefferies, Macquarie Capital
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Adara Partners, Allen & Overy, Aquasia, Bank of America, Barrenjoey, Citi, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, KWM, Morgan Stanley
Sandfire Resources acquisition of MATSA mining complex
Lead firm: Allen & Overy
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Ashurst, BMO, BurnVoir Corporate Finance, Citi, Clifford Chance, Ernst & Young, Gilbert + Tobin, Macquarie Capital, PwC, UBS
All other organisations that worked on the deal (firms, banks and accountants): Jones Day
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Allen & Overy, Allens, Jefferies, Macquarie Capital
AustralianSuper, Australian Retirement Trust, Barrenjoey Capital Partners, Gilbert + Tobin, Global Infrastructure Partners, Goldman Sachs & Co, IFM Australian Infrastructure Fund, IFM Global Infrastructure Fund, KPMG, Macquarie Group, PwC, UBS Investment Bank
Allens, Herbert Smith Freehills
Sydney Airport acquisition by Sydney Aviation Alliance
James & Wells provides a full suite of intellectual property services, including patents, trademarks, litigation, and IP strategy. We are champions of innovation and the people who create it. With offices across Australia and New Zealand, our award-winning team enables businesses to own, control and commercialise their intellectual property on a global scale. Contact details: James & Wells Phone: 0800 466 688 Email: info@jamesandwells.com Website: www.jamesandwells.com
Coaching Advocates
Lawcadia
Lawganised
View profile
LOD
PwC NewLaw
TransPerfect Legal Solutions
Hind Management
Thomson Reuters
Award sponsor
Resolution Institute is the peak industry body across dispute resolution disciplines in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We are a vibrant community of mediators, arbitrators, expert determiners, adjudicators, restorative justice practitioners and other dispute resolution professionals. We value integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration, diversity and influence. We reflect these values in our work for and with our members. Contact details: Wellington Office Address: Level 4, Gleneagles Building, 69–71 The Terrace, Wellington 6011 Phone: +64 4 470 0110 / 0800 453 237 Email: infonz@resolution.institute Sydney Office Address: Suite 602, Level 6, Tower B, Zenith Centre, 821-843 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067; PO BOX 440, Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone: +61 2 9251 3366 / 1800 651 650 Email: infoaus@resolution.institute
Resolution Institute is the peak industry body across dispute resolution disciplines in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We are a vibrant community of mediators, arbitrators, expert determiners, adjudicators, restorative justice practitioners and other dispute resolution professionals. We value integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration, diversity and influence. We reflect these values in our work for and with our members. Contact details: Wellington Office Address: Level 4 Gleneagles Building 69–71 The Terrace Wellington 6011 Phone: +64 4 470 0110 / 0800 453 237 Email: infonz@resolution.institute Sydney Office Address: Suite 602, Level 6 Tower B, Zenith Centre 821-843 Pacific Highway Chatswood NSW 2067 PO BVOX 440 Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone: +61 2 9251 3366 / 1800 651 650 Email: infoaus@resolution.institute
“Resolution Institute has been a proud sponsor of both the Mediator and Arbitrator of the Year since 2017. The industry has adapted and become more flexible and agile as a result of COVID, which is a testament to the skill set of those nominated.”
Josh Vernon, CO-FOUNDER and ceo, wagestream australia
"Resolution Institute has been a proud sponsor of both the Mediator and Arbitrator of the Year since 2017. The industry has adapted and become more flexible and agile as a result of COVID, which is a testament to the skill set of those nominated."
Robert Heath KC FCIArb, Victorian Bar
RA Holt KC FCIArb, Alfred Lutwyche Chambers
Russell Thirgood, Independent Arbitrator
Steven Goldstein, Edmund Barton Chambers
Toby Shnookal QC, Independent Arbitrator
Levine Arbitration
Judith Levine
Resolution Institute is the peak industry body across dispute resolution disciplines in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We are a vibrant community of mediators, arbitrators, expert determiners, adjudicators, restorative justice practitioners and other dispute resolution professionals. We value integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration, diversity and influence. We reflect these values in our work for and with our members. Contact details: Wellington Office Address: Level 4, Gleneagles Building, 69–71 The Terrace, Wellington 6011 Phone: +64 4 470 0110 / 0800 453 237 Email: infonz@resolution.institute Sydney Office Address: Suite 602, Level 6, Tower B, Zenith Centre, 821-843 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067; PO BOX 440 Chatswood, NSW 2057 Phone: +61 2 9251 3366 / 1800 651 650 Email: infoaus@resolution.institute
“Resolution Institute has been a proud sponsor of both the Mediator and Arbitrator of the Year since 2017. The industry has adapted and become more flexible and agile as a result of COVID, which is testament to the skill set of those nominated.”
Lisanne Iriks, Life Mediation
Nicole Davidson, Nicole Davidson Negotiation
Shelby Timmins, Divorce Done Differently
Divorce Right
Anne-Marie Cade
Allens
Clayton Utz
Hall & Wilcox
Herbert Smith Freehills
K&L Gates
Sprintlaw
QBE Australia is part of the QBE Insurance Group, an international insurer and reinsurer headquartered in Sydney with offices across all states and territories. Our purpose is all about enabling a more resilient future. We provide a broad range of insurance products to personal, business, corporate and institutional customers. From car and home insurance, to tailored business packages and specialist cover for industries such as aviation and farming. We don’t simply offer insurance. We’re all about the before and after – helping our customers to protect and prevent against the ‘what ifs’ and being there to support if anything goes wrong. Website: https://www.qbe.com/au/brokers
Baker McKenzie, Baker Wellbeing Committee
Pragma Lawyers
Brave Legal
Bird & Bird
Dentons
Harmers Workplace Lawyers
Dowson Turco Lawyers
Minerva Canada, a non-profit volunteer-run organization, aims to be a global leader in health and safety management education by influencing the curriculum of post-secondary institutions to ensure that future engineers and business leaders create healthier and safer workplaces. The only organization of our kind, we raise awareness and strive to make occupational health and safety a mindset by providing initiatives and resources that assist colleges and universities in preparing tomorrow’s leaders in the skills of incident and injury prevention. For more information visit: https://safetymanagementeducation.com/.
Aitken Legal
Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors
Danny King Legal
Jewell Hancock Employment Lawyers
Workdynamic Australia
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) is a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting Ontario workers and businesses. A proud partner in Ontario’s occupational health and safety system and a trusted safety advisor since 1917, WSPS has a rich history of making Ontario workplaces safer. For more information visit: www.wsps.ca.
Barry Nilsson
Gilchrist Connell
Meridian Lawyers
Moray & Agnew Lawyers
Sparke Helmore Lawyers
William Roberts Lawyers
Avetta provides a cloud-based supply chain risk management and commercial marketplace platform. Our global solution is uniquely designed to connect the world’s leading organizations with qualified suppliers, driving sustainable growth. We build trustworthy bonds through responsive technology and human insight. Our process is collaborative. Our global reach is complemented by our local expertise. Hundreds of global organizations depend on Avetta to align their supply chains to sustainable business practices, worldwide. Avetta is building the connections that build the world. Discover more at www.avetta.com.
Excellence Awardee
The Steadfast Group Legal Team
AIA Australia Legal Team
Banking & Financial Services In-house Team of the Year
Judo Bank Legal Team
IFM Investors
UBS AG, Australia Branch
Fonterra Legal Team
Spark NZ's legal team
UBS NZ
AIA NZ
Clayton Utz is a leader in legal services, bringing together teams of smart, committed and collaborative lawyers to guide our clients to the right solution and bring value to their businesses. We are known for our commercial approach, energetic culture and the way we embrace the complex and challenging. We are more than our commercial work - we have a genuine and substantial commitment to sustainability, diversity & inclusion, community and pro bono. Contact details: Mobile: +61 2 9353 4103 Email: bcooper@claytonutz.com Website: www.claytonutz.com
Resolution Institute is the peak industry body across dispute resolution disciplines in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We are a vibrant community of mediators, arbitrators, expert determiners, adjudicators, restorative justice practitioners and other dispute resolution professionals. We value integrity, excellence, innovation, collaboration, diversity and influence. We reflect these values in our work for and with our members. Contact details: Address: Suite 602, Level 6 Tower B, Zenith Centre 821-843 Pacific Highway Chatswood NSW 2067 PO BVOX 440 Chatswood NSW 2057 Phone: +61 2 9251 3366 / 1800 651 650 Email: infoaus@resolution.institute
"Clayton Utz is proud to sponsor the Australian In-house Team of the Year award. Reflecting the crucial nature of in-house teams, this award recognises outstanding quality and innovation in internal and transactional work."
“Clayton Utz is proud to sponsor the Australian In-house Team of the Year award. Reflecting the crucial nature of in-house teams, this award recognises outstanding quality and innovation in internal and transactional work.”
Emma Covacevich, CEO, Clayton Utz
Partners in Performance
Ahpra National Legal Practice
Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) Legal, NSW Treasury
Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Legal Team
Fujitsu Australia Legal and Compliance Team
Mastercard Australia Legal Team
Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, the fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military. MSA's core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, firefighter helmets and protective apparel, and fall protection devices. With 2021 revenues of $1.4 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America. For more information visit: www.MSAsafety.com.
Adam Lister, ASM Global (Asia Pacific)
Janelle Cain, EBOS Group
Kate Draper, Moreton Bay Regional Council
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (former)
Marinie Manning
Michael Guilday, Sydney Fish Market
Rama Lingard, Mastercard
The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada is THE association for leaders in Canada’s chemistry sector; a $58 billion industry. The Association represents more than 50 members and partners across the country, the majority of the chemistry industry in Canada. CIAC members transform raw materials like natural gas liquids, oil, minerals, electricity and biomass into the building blocks needed to manufacture some 70,000 products that we depend on every day. CIAC provides coordination and leadership on key issues including innovation, investment, taxation, health and safety, environment and regulatory initiatives. For more information visit: www.canadianchemistry.ca.
Young In-House Lawyer of the Year (35 or under)
Young In-House Lawyer of the Year (35 or Under)
Charlotte Olsen, National Rugby League
Eleanor Wheelhouse, TPG Telecom
Joshua Goldsmith, Computershare
Karthik Maganty, Deloitte Asia Pacific
Shaniya Vilash, Daimler Truck Australia Pacific
The Adecco Group
Candice Gin
William Daymond, Galderma
Emily Barrett, Johnson Winter Slattery
Huiming Lin, AusLaw Partners
Justine Tao Zhou, Quantum Law Group
Lauren John, Allens
Shaniya Vilash, Tom Henderson, Baker McKenzie
Zefy Souvlakis, Ethos Migration Lawyers
Lander & Rogers
Katalin Lello
Russell McVeagh is committed to operating on the cutting edge of legal practice in New Zealand. Characterised by a dynamic network of specialists who are champions for clients’ strategic goals, the full-service commercial law firm is known for outstanding client relations and teamwork. The firm's practice groups are respected as leaders in the market and assist New Zealand's top organisations with their most complex, challenging and high-profile matters. Contact details: Jo Avenell Chief Executive Officer Phone: +64 (0) 9 367 8091 Email: jo.avenell@russellmcveagh.com Website: www.russellmcveagh.com
SP Search and Consulting is Australia’s leading legal executive search and consulting firm. We are trusted advisers to senior management of ambitious law firms on their most important projects. Formerly known as Scarlis Pringle, the firm has over 20 years of partner search and consulting experience for Australia’s leading law firms. The firm is led by Steven Scarlis and Patrick St John. Contact details: Steven Scarlis Mobile: 02 9222 9000 Email: sscarlis@spcon.com.au
Con Boulougouris, MinterEllison
Neil Pathak, Gilbert + Tobin
Ron Smooker, Maddocks
Sarah Yu, King & Wood Mallesons
Tom Story, Allens
Waldo D. Jones, Jr., Sullivan & Cromwell
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Sandy Mak
WINNERs
Tony Damian
Lane Neave is a national law firm with a proud history of providing specialist advice as a trusted advisor to our clients for more than 150 years. We solve problems and realise opportunities for clients from Government agencies and listed companies to entrepreneurs, developers and individuals from our offices in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Contact details: Peter Dwan Chief Executive Officer Phone: +64 (0) 21 888 290 Email: peter.dwan@laneneave.co.nz Website: www.laneneave.co.nz/person/peter-dwan/
Dan Jones, Russell McVeagh
Graeme Quigley, Webb Henderson
John Conlan, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Michael Pollard, Simpson Grierson
Roger Wallis, Chapman Tripp
Bell Gully
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Chapman Tripp
Russell McVeagh
Simpson Grierson
Webb Henderson
New South Lawyers
Redenbach Legal
Southern Waters Legal
HHG Legal Group
Thynne + Macartney
Advantage Legal
Ironbridge Legal
Phi Finney McDonald
Quantum Law Group
Aspect Legal
KLM Solicitors
Aleisha MacKenzie, Construct Law Group
Demetrio Zema, Law Squared
Trevor Withane, Ironbridge Legal
Keith Redenbach, Redenbach Legal
Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell
Danielle Snell
Amanda Banton, Banton Group
Jason Denisenko, Allen & Overy
Kieren Parker, Addisons
Levent Shevki, Cornwalls
Paul Hopkins, Carter Newell Lawyers
Gadens
Mark Pistilli
Stipe Vuleta, Chamberlains Law Firm
Anthony Foley, Baker McKenzie
David Newman, Maddocks
Doug Stipanicev, Dentons
Paul Jenkins, Ashurst
Danny Gilbert
Aston Legal Group
Australian Family Lawyers
Carter Newell Lawyers
Cooper Grace Ward
Holman Webb Lawyers
LegalVision
Law Firm of the Year (101-500 Lawyers)
Chamberlains Law Firm
Macpherson Kelley
Turks
Hamilton Locke
Baker McKenzie
King & Wood Mallesons