Allens, HSF, KWM and Clayton Utz were among those recognised for their roles in landmark transactions
Leading local and global firms showcased their strengths in deal work with their roles in the landmark transactions that won big at the 2022 Australasian Law Awards.
Teams from Allens, Clifford Chance, Norton Rose Fulbright and PwC pitched in on the Debt Market Deal of the Year winner, which saw Global Infrastructure Partners acquire a stake in the Queensland Curtis LNG project. The transaction, which was valued at US$2.5bn, is regarded as one of the world’s first significant mid-stream LNG asset acquisitions by an infrastructure fund manager.
The firms worked with banks like ANZ, HSBC, Mizuho, NAB and BNP Paribas on the deal, which awards judges said was “a broad, yet bespoke, transaction.”
The PEXA IPO transaction that got Equity Market Deal of the Year saw participation from Allen & Overy, King & Wood Mallesons (Australia) and Sidley Austin (US). Judges pointed to the deal as “an extraordinary IPO demonstrating enormous complexity and innovation.”
Snagging Infrastructure & Projects Deal of the Year was the $11.5bn North East Link PPP, which at the time of financial close was not only the biggest transport infrastructure project in Victoria but also the largest PPP in Australia. Allens, Clayton Utz and Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) all played roles in the transaction, which judges said would “bring many first-to-market innovations to the PPP legal landscape.”
The $1.1bn Boart Longyear restructuring was crowned Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year, celebrating the work done by Ashurst, Gilbert + Tobin, MinterEllison and Wharton & Garrison. Judges described the deal as “a large, complex, multi-jurisdictional transaction which was very well-executed.”
HSF got a second nod for its contribution to Apex’s acquisition of Mainstream, which won Mid-Market Deal of the Year. The transaction, which stood out for “competitive head and tension” that “added complexity to every element”, also saw participation from Maddocks and Miles Advisory.
Finally, the Santos/ Oil Search merger walked off with the M&A Deal of the Year award. Allens and HSF once more played key roles alongside JB North & Co and King & Spalding.
“[The] high value and high profile deal evidences complexity and breadth with the cross-jurisdictional issues in PNG,” judges said.
The 2022 Australasian Law Awards winners were announced on 19 May.
