A&O Shearman‘s global stature has established it as a major player in the Australian capital markets sphere, serving an enviable list of both global and domestic clients. The firm boasts broad DCM capabilities and strengths, advising on billion-dollar bond issuances, private placements, hybrids, and liability management. Green and sustainability-linked bonds are a growing area of focus for the team. Karolina Popic, Mark Leemen, and Minesh Patel are integral to the firm’s DCM offering, frequently handling multi-jurisdictional transactions and deals involving international bond markets. The firm also advises on a wide range of equity transactions, including accelerated IPOs and hybrid offers. Tony Sparks has acted on many of the most significant Australian IPOs and capital raisings, and he also assists with key corporate finance and fundraising transactions. Meredith Campion co-leads from the Perth office, where she serves several major clients in the oil, gas, and mining sectors. Popic is also central to the firm’s strong reputation in securitisation, with expertise spanning numerous asset classes.

Allens deliver a robust capital markets practice with deep expertise in debt, equity, and securitisation. The team has maintains its involvement in high-profile Kangaroo bond transactions for blue-chip corporates, including new market entrants. James Darcy oversees a demanding domestic workload and actively advises Australian issuers in offshore markets. In the ECM sector, Allens manages a wide array of complex, high-value transactions. The group is noted for its strong representation of major investment banks and its ability to act on behalf of either issuers or joint lead managers. Julian Donnan and Robert Pick co-lead the ECM practice, each bringing significant experience in advising issuers and underwriters on IPOs, secondary raisings, and other prominent transactions in the Australian market. Recently, Addison Ma has been involved in various high-value acquisitions, disposals, and equity raisings. The firm is also active in highly structured securitised funding, collaborating with several key sponsors. Benjamin Downie, who leads the securitisation practice, offers specialised expertise in using structured credit as a primary source of debt funding for M&A transactions.

Arnold Bloch Leibler regularly assists clients from business inception through to capital raising and IPO listings. The team’s expertise in these transactions is frequently applied in the technology, retail, and agriculture sectors. Co-chair Jonathan Wenig’s broad practice spans private and public capital raisings, takeovers, and M&A. Jeremy Lanzer enhances the practice with his deep understanding of shareholder activism and corporate governance. Jeremy Leibler, who leads the team, specialises in significant ECM transactions. Christine Fleer is a key advisor to high-net-worth individuals and global hedge funds.

Baker McKenzie advises prominent lead managers and underwriters across a wide range of ECM transactions. Recently, the team has capitalised on several high-profile secondary capital raisings. Rick Troiano’s practice is centred on clients involved in takeovers, schemes of arrangement, private share sales, and IPOs. Antony Rumboll left the practice in November 2023 to take up an in-house position. In the DCM space, the firm represents both onshore and offshore financial institutions and corporates. The team is frequently engaged to establish significant debt programmes or to update and amend existing ones. Duncan McGrath leads the DCM practice, regularly advising on the Australian and English law aspects of global debt capital transactions. Richard Lustig is also a key member of the team.

Clayton Utz is home to skilled lawyers across the three pillars of debt, equity, and securitisation. In ECM transactions, the team is recognised for executing complex, high-value deals, particularly in the financial services, technology, and energy sectors. The team works with issuers on IPOs as well as with major banks acting as lead managers. Stuart Byrne brings over 20 years of experience with the Australian Stock Exchange and high-profile M&A transactions. Brendan Groves is highly regarded by issuers and underwriters alike, who trust him with floats, rights issues, and security placements. Kate Allison’s commercial acumen has attracted key financial and corporate clients to the firm. On the DCM side, the practice provides extensive advice on fundraising structures and is increasingly active in green bonds and sustainable finance. Andrew Jinks is frequently instructed by major financial institutions on significant DCM and derivatives transactions. The firm also has a leading structured finance and securitisation practice, contributing to numerous programme establishments and term issuances. Sponsors, arrangers, investors, and trustees regularly rely on Sonia Goumenis to lead their challenging structured finance transactions. Mark Chahine offers specialist expertise in securitisation related to acquisition transactions.

Securitisation is a cornerstone of Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s capital markets practice, with the team handling a consistent flow of work for superannuation funds, fixed-income investors, and mezzanine financiers. Brad Robinson is a leading expert in mezzanine financing, advising some of the market’s largest financiers and clients seeking to reduce their carbon footprint through concessional funding. The firm is also active in DCM transactions, particularly those involving complex multi-source debt capital structures. Jo Dodd is highly knowledgeable in regulatory capital and other hybrid securities within the debt markets. On the equity side, the team is regularly engaged in primary and secondary transactions for issuers, underwriters, and investors. The ECM practice brings particular expertise in the mining and energy sectors, working with both medium and large-cap companies. Shabarika Ajitkumar has led various strategic capital raisings for her corporate clients, while Oliver Carrick is currently involved in multiple primary and secondary raisings and has extensive experience with ASX listings.

Dentons is well-versed in the intricacies of securitisation, representing financiers and originators across a wide range of asset classes. The team regularly leverages its warehousing capabilities on behalf of blue-chip clients. Stanley Mok specialises in securitisation, structured finance, and derivatives, advising major Australian banks as either financiers or originators.

Gilbert + Tobin continues to advise issuers and underwriters on some of the market’s most high-profile IPOs. The team’s strong relationships with investment banks and regulators have been a major draw for clients, along with its deep expertise in the pharmaceutical, energy, mining, and technology sectors. Peter Cook heads the ECM team and oversees a wide-ranging practice that includes public and private mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and ASX listings. Adam d’Andreti brings extensive experience in IPOs and secondary raisings, acting for issuers and brokers. Sarah Turner is well-regarded for her expertise in equity capital raisings, takeovers, and schemes of arrangement. In DCM transactions, the firm frequently receives instructions from originators, issuers, arrangers, and trustees. Louise McCoach has bolstered the firm’s ESG profile by advising on sustainability bond issuances, green deposits, and sustainability-linked derivatives.

Hamilton Locke‘s capital markets team has extensive experience advising issuers and lead managers across a broad range of sectors and industries. Shaun Hardcastle is an experienced M&A practitioner. Recent highlights of Guy Sanderson include high-value block trades and IPO filings for the ASX and NASDAQ. Brett Heading is active in the resources, tourism, agribusiness, and life sciences sectors. Jeremy Newman‘s practice centres on public equity markets and M&A.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘ capital markets practice is distinguished by its comprehensive expertise across the entire spectrum of capital markets activities. The firm’s stature has secured its ongoing involvement in high-profile M&A transactions, listings, hybrid offerings, and secondary equity raisings. Alexander Mackinnon plays a pivotal role in the firm’s capital raising and M&A efforts. Michael Ziegelaar has been instrumental in several of the team’s high-profile listings and transactions in recent months, acting on behalf of underwriters and lead managers. The team is also well-equipped to handle DCM matters, frequently assisting corporate issuers with updating existing programmes or establishing new ones. Patrick Lowden is a key adviser to investment banks and corporates on structured finance and restructuring transactions. With over 30 years of experience, Philippa Stone enhances the team’s capabilities, advising leading banks and corporations on complex finance transactions. Josie Essery offers strategic guidance to both issuers and dealers. Securitisation and structured finance transactions are also significant areas of work for the firm, with mandates from major banks and non-bank lenders.

Johnson Winter Slattery‘s expertise in IPOs and secondary offerings is regularly sought by clients in the Australian healthcare, tech, energy, and resources sectors. The team is also active in advising foreign issuers on ASX listings. As a cross-border specialist, James Rozsa advises numerous US issuers on private equity transactions. Clare Brown plays a pivotal role in the firm’s public offerings and secondary capital raisings. Team head Paul Vinci’s versatility is evident in the wide range of industries he serves. With over 30 years of experience, John Keeves is highly knowledgeable in ECM transactions, corporate governance, and ASX listing rules.

Jones Day is a recognised name in large equity capital raises across several key sectors. The team’s expertise covers IPOs, placements, rights and bonus issues, schemes of arrangement, and hybrid instruments. Specialising in resources and agribusiness, Isaac West earns praise for his work on M&A and capital raisings. Hemang Shah brings valuable knowledge of the energy, resources, and technology sectors.

King & Wood Mallesons is a market-leading firm in the Australian capital finance market, boasting impressive breadth and depth of legal expertise. Its equity team is highly regarded for its work with both issuers and underwriters on high-value transactions and capital raisings. David Friedlander is a recognised authority on M&A transactions and complex equity capital raisings. Major investment banking clients value Amanda Isouard‘s regulatory expertise and negotiation skills. Listed companies, private equity sponsors, and fund managers regularly seek Henrik Moritz‘s advice on M&A matters. Concerning debt transactions, the team is renowned for its work with Kangaroo Bonds and represents various major hybrid issuers. Structured financing, derivatives, and financial regulatory issues are all central to Ian Paterson‘s busy practice. Philip Harvey is well-versed in a wide range of debt capital market transactions. Angela Chung attracts supranational, sovereign, and agency issuers with her experience in innovative transactions. The firm is also a leading developer of innovative new securitisation products for new entrants and established players. Ian Edmonds-Wilson advises the full range of securitisation stakeholders and participants with complex domestic and international transactions.

Maddocks continues to advise a wide range of ASX-listed clients on strategic capital raisings and M&A transactions. The team is also renowned for its strong expertise in corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Catherine Merity, primarily active in the tech sector, has a strong track record in secondary capital raisings and cross-border ECM matters. Rosamond Sayer assists with transactions in the tech, medical, and construction sectors. Ron Smooker plays a key role in the firm’s complex M&A deals.

McCullough Robertson is a significant player in the small to mid-cap sector, particularly in IPOs and secondary capital raisings. The team also brings expertise in alternative capital management strategies, including consolidations, buy-backs, and restructurings. Ben Wood has a deep understanding of start-ups and early-stage companies. Aaron Dahl regularly represents both listed and unlisted clients in the resources, property, and pharmaceutical sectors. Reece Walker oversees capital raising and corporate needs for his long-term ASX-listed clients.

Mills Oakley has established a strong reputation for its representation of ASX-listed clients, underwriters, and lead managers. The technology and health sciences sectors remain key areas of focus for the firm. Team head Iain Laughland is a recognised authority on primary and secondary capital raisings. In recent months, Gavin Douglas has continued to serve as counsel for several ASX-listed clients. Tony Lalor is highly skilled in IPOs, secondary capital raisings, M&A, and related transactions. Both Lynda Reid and David Bryant bring considerable experience in public and private M&A.

Minter Ellison delivers cutting-edge transactions for issuers, shareholders, underwriters, and lead managers. The team’s prominent position in the ECM sector has afforded it access to significant, high-value IPOs on the ASX. Daniel Scotti’s portfolio spans the full spectrum of equity and hybrid capital raisings, including IPOs, placements, and share purchase plans. James Hutton combines deep ECM expertise with a nuanced understanding of the life sciences sector. The firm also assists clients in securing debt capital. John Elias, head of DCM, is a trusted advisor to mezzanine financiers and regularly acts for banks, financial institutions, and major corporations. Elias is also central to the firm’s work in securitisation and structured finance.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s capital markets team excels in debt capabilities and is rapidly building expertise in the ECM, securitisation, and derivatives sectors. Leveraging its international reach, the team routinely manages high-value, cross-border deals for domestic and global clients. Recently, the team has continued to expand its work in Islamic finance transactions. James Morris frequently applies his expertise to complex cross-border DCM matters on behalf of leading financial institutions. Jeremy Wickens, head of the firm’s ECM practice, combines deep knowledge of IPOs and M&A with specialised expertise in the mining and petroleum industries. Alex Mufford advises blue-chip clients on significant securitisation transactions. Vittorio Casamento further bolsters the team’s strong derivatives and structured finance capabilities.

Sidley Austin is a primary choice for cross-border equity offerings by Australian and New Zealand issuers. The firm is often called upon to handle large placements and entitlement offers and is particularly renowned for its representation of issuers in US private placements. Mimma Barila excels in cross-border IPOs, equity and hybrid securities, and corporate restructurings. Bruce Dailey regularly advises US insurance companies, investment banks, and asset management firms.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is a primary point of contact for major issuers in the Australian market. The team is particularly renowned for its expertise in Rule 144A security offerings and its management of large debt transactions in this area. The firm also possesses a deep understanding of the metals and mining industry. Waldo Jones continues to lead significant corporate debt transactions, including high-profile SEC-registered public offerings. Connor Schillerstrom routinely advises issuers and underwriters on international transactions. John Anselmi has been involved in several debt offerings for both US and non-US clients.

Thomson Geer continues to act as a trusted adviser to mid-market companies seeking to raise capital or list on the ASX. The team consistently leads high-value capital raisings and IPOs in the key mining and energy industries. David Church and David Schiavello advise on the full spectrum of ECM and M&A transactions. Emma Cook has handled cross-border deals across a wide range of significant industries. Hedley Roost and Matthew Reynolds bring extensive experience in the energy, technology, and agricultural sectors. Michael Ng, Sanushka Seomangal, and Scott Gibson are also key members of the team.