2023 Excellence Awardees

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Deal Awards

In-House Awards

Industry Awards

Firm Awards

Deal Awards

Debt Market Deal of the Year 

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group issue of ANZ Capital Notes 7

Lead firms
Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons

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, J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo Securities, Westpac Banking Corporation

EQT acquisition of Icon Group

Lead firms
Baker McKenzie, Cahill Gordon & Reindel, Herbert Smith Freehills
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
King & Wood Mallesons, Latham & Watkins

Qualitas $A600 million funding package

Lead firm
Maddocks
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
Hall & Wilcox

Refinancing of Reliance Rail with $1.8 billion, 21-year Green Sustainability-Linked Loan

Lead firm
King & Wood Mallesons

Equity Market Deal of the Year

A$650 million placement of Orica shares

Lead firms
Allen & Overy, Gilbert + Tobin
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
Citigroup Global Markets Australia, J.P. Morgan Securities Australia, Sidley Austin

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

All-stock merger of BHP Petroleum business with Woodside Energy Group

Lead firms
Herbert Smith Freehills, Sullivan & Cromwell

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

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
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
Herbert Smith Freehills

VicRoads Modernisation Project

Lead firm
MinterEllison

Western Harbour Tunnel project

Lead firm
Ashurst
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
Ernst & Young, Lander & Rogers, MinterEllison, Valorem

Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year

Administration of Probuild and its WBHO Infrastructure division

Lead firms
Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons

APA Group acquisition of Basslink

Lead firms
Ashurst, Gilbert + Tobin, Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons
All 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

Ironbridge Legal restructures mining assets of Australian company in multi-jurisdictional deal

Lead firm
Ironbridge Legal
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
Bailey & Glasser, FTI Consulting, Frost Brown Todd, Hamilton Locke

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

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

M&A Deal of the Year

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
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
Jones Day

Brookfield Infrastructure acquisition of AusNet Services

Lead firms
Allens, Herbert Smith Freehills
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
Adara Partners, Allen & Overy, Aquasia, Bank of America, Barrenjoey, Citi, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, KWM, Morgan Stanley

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

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

Sydney Airport acquisition by Sydney Aviation Alliance

Lead firms
Allens, Herbert Smith Freehills
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants)
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

Mid-Market Deal of the Year

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

Anchorage Partners sale of Rail First Asset Management to consortium

Lead firm
Gilbert + Tobin

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

In-House Awards

Banking & Financial Services In-House Team of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
IFM Investors
Judo Bank Legal Team
UBS AG, Australia Branch

Insurance In-house Team of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
AIA Australia Legal Team
The Steadfast Group Legal Team

Young In-House Lawyer of the Year (35 or under)

Excellence Awardees
Candice Gin, The Adecco Group
Charlotte Olsen, National Rugby League
Eleanor Wheelhouse, TPG Telecom
Joshua Goldsmith, Computershare
Karthik Maganty, Deloitte Asia Pacific
Shaniya Vilash, Daimler Truck Australia Pacific
William Daymond, Galderma 

Australian In-house Lawyer of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Adam Lister, ASM Global (Asia Pacific)
Janelle Cain, EBOS Group
Kate Draper, Moreton Bay Regional Council
Marnie Manning, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (former)
Michael Guilday, Sydney Fish Market
Rama Lingard, Mastercard

Clayton Utz Australian In-house Team of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Ahpra National Legal Practice
Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Legal Team
Fujitsu Australia Legal and Compliance Team
Mastercard Australia Legal Team
Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC) Legal, NSW Treasury
Partners in Performance

 

Sponsored by


NZ In-house Team of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
AIA NZ
Fonterra Legal Team
Spark NZ's legal team
UBS NZ

Industry Awards

Resolution Institute Australian Arbitrator of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Judith Levine, Levine Arbitration
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

 

Sponsored by


Resolution Institute Australian Mediator of the Year

Excellence Awardees
Anne-Marie Cade, Divorce Right
Lisanne Iriks, Life Mediation
Nicole Davidson, Nicole Davidson Negotiation
Shelby Timmins, Divorce Done Differently

 

Sponsored by


Legal Service Provider of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Coaching Advocates
Lawcadia
Lawganised
LOD
PwC NewLaw
Thomson Reuters
TransPerfect Legal Solutions

Firm Awards

NZ Deal Firm of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Bell Gully
Chapman Tripp
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Russell McVeagh
Simpson Grierson
Webb Henderson

SP Search & Consulting  Australian Dealmaker of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Con Boulougouris, MinterEllison
Neil Pathak, Gilbert + Tobin
Ron Smooker, Maddocks
Sandy Mak, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Sarah Yu, King & Wood Mallesons
Tom Story, Allens
Tony Damian, Herbert Smith Freehills
Waldo D. Jones, Jr., Sullivan & Cromwell

 

Sponsored by:


NZ Dealmaker of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Anna Buchly, Bell Gully
Dan Jones, Russell McVeagh
Graeme Quigley, Webb Henderson
John Conlan, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Michal Pollard, Simpson Grierson
Roger Wallis, Chapman Tripp

Excellence in Employee Health & Wellbeing 

Excellence Awardees
Baker McKenzie, BakerWellbeing Committee
Brave Legal
Hall & Wilcox
Herbert Smith Freehills
Pragma Lawyers

Excellence in Technology & Innovation 

Excellence Awardees
Allens
Clayton Utz
Gilbert + Tobin
Hall & Wilcox
Herbert Smith Freehills
K&L Gates
Sprintlaw

Employment Law Specialist Firm of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Aitken Legal
Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors
Danny King Legal
Harmers Workplace Lawyers
Jewell Hancock Employment Lawyers
Workdynamic Australia

Insurance Specialist Firm of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Barry Nilsson
Gilchrist Connell
Meridian Lawyers
Moray & Agnew Lawyers
Sparke Helmore Lawyers
William Roberts Lawyers

Boutique Firm of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
Advantage Legal
Aspect Legal
Ironbridge Legal
KLM Solicitors
NDA Law
Phi Finney McDonald
Quantum Law Group

Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (35 or under)

Excellence Awardees
Emily Barrett, Johnson Winter Slattery
Huiming Lin, AusLaw Partners
Justine Tao Zhou, Quantum Law Group
Katalin Lello, Lander & Rogers
Lauren John, Allens
Tom Henderson, Baker McKenzie
Zefy Souvlakis, Ethos Migration Lawyers

Law Firm Leader of the Year
(1-100 Employees)

Excellence Awardees
Aleisha MacKenzie, Construct Law Group
Amanda Banton, Banton Group
Danielle Snell, Elit Lawyers by McGirr & Snell
Demetrio Zema, Law Squared
Trevor Withane, Ironbridge Legal
Keith Redenbach, Redenbach Legal 

Law Firm Leader of the Year
(101-500 Employees)

Excellence Awardees
Jason Denisenko, Allen & Overy
Kieren Parker, Addisons
Levent Shevki, Cornwalls
Mark Pistilli, Gadens
Paul Hopkins, Carter Newell Lawyers
Stipe Vuleta, Chamberlains Law Firm 

SP Search & Consulting  Law Firm Leader of the Year (>500 Employees)

Excellence Awardees
Anthony Foley, Baker McKenzie
Danny Gilbert, Gilbert + Tobin
David Newman, Maddocks
Doug Stipanicev, Dentons
Paul Jenkins, Ashurst 

 

Sponsored by:


State/Regional Firm of the Year 

Excellence Awardees
HHG Legal Group
New South Lawyers
Redenbach Legal
Southern Waters Legal
Thynne + Macartney 

Law Firm of the Year (1-100 Lawyers)

Excellence Awardees
Aston Legal Group
Australian Family Lawyers
Carter Newell Lawyers
Cooper Grace Ward
Holman Webb Lawyers
LegalVision 

Law Firm of the Year (101-500 lawyers) 

Excellence Awardees
Chamberlains Law Firm
Hamilton Locke
Lander & Rogers
Macpherson Kelley
Turks

Law Firm of the Year (>500 lawyers) 

Excellence Awardees
Allens
Ashurst
Baker McKenzie
Clayton Utz
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Gilbert + Tobin
Herbert Smith Freehills
King & Wood Mallesons 

Diversity Initiative of the Year

Excellence Awardees
Allens
Bird & Bird
Clayton Utz
Dentons
Dowson Turco Lawyers
Hall & Wilcox
Harmers Workplace Lawyers