Another international firm confirms Aussie expansion

Another international firm confirms Aussie expansion
Just days after Kennedys announced a new office in Melbourne, another international firm has confirmed its expansion in Australia.

Pinsent Masons will open in Perth with a team of four partners hired from Norton Rose Fulbright; and will also expand its legal outsourcing hub to Australia, its first location outside the UK.

The Perth team are construction & engineering dispute specialists Rob Buchanan and Matthew Croagh; Adrienne Parker, who has extensive experience in major projects, construction, engineering and resource projects; and Bill Ryan, who has acted upon complex arbitrations arising out of the resources sectors in Queensland and Western Australia.

David Rennick, Head of Australia, commented:

"In less than two years, Pinsent Masons has established itself among the preeminent infrastructure firms in Australia and enhanced its reputation across the Asia Pacific region. Our strong growth and high calibre of work is being recognised and we are delighted to be able to attract a stellar team of fellow specialists to join us in expanding our business into Perth. The appointments also present an opportunity to expand further into the energy sector."

Pinsent Masons has operated in Australia since 2015 with offices in Sydney and Melbourne.

Norton Rose Fulbright hires Sydney partner from Baker McKenzie
Corporate partner Martin Irwin becomes the ninth lateral partner hire for Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia this year.

He joins from Baker McKenzie with a broad practice focusing on infrastructure, energy & resources, privatisation and project finance. He has experience of working in Singapore and Hong Kong, and on major transactions across Asia Pacific.

Along with the nine laterals, Norton Rose Fulbright has promoted 10 lawyers to partner in Australia in the past year.

Chinese outbound M&A set to rise over next 10 years says Linklaters
Outbound investment activity from China is set to soar to U$1.5 trillion over the next ten years according to a report from Linklaters.

The international law firm says that the 70% growth in outbound M&A compared to the 2007-2016 period ($880 billion) will follow the slowdown seen in 2017.

“Despite increasing regulatory scrutiny of Chinese outbound M&A by foreign governments, and calls for greater reciprocity, there is a definite Chinese desire to pursue the right deals abroad,” said corporate partner William Buckley. “This is clearly supported by policies and initiatives such as Belt & Road and whilst it is true that deals have been either blocked or abandoned, lessons are being learnt on both sides which will undoubtedly help to reduce friction and increase deal flow momentum.”