Corrs helps as funds manager takes $60m swig

Corrs Chambers Westgarth advised Laguna Bay on its investment in Margaret River Wine Production (MRWP) and the McWilliam’s Wines Group (MWG).

Laguna Bay, an Australian agricultural fund manager founded in 2010, invested about $60m into the businesses. Corrs advised the Laguna Bay Agricultural Fund 1 in its investment into MRWP, as well as on the negotiation of MRWP’s investment into MWG.

Controlled by Western Australian businessman Peter Fogarty, MWRP accounts for more than a third of the Margaret River region’s total wine production. It also controls the Lake’s Folly brand in the Hunter Valley region.

The Corrs team was headed by senior partner Fadi Khoury, who said the firm is proud to support a long-standing client. Khoury, who joined Corrs in late 2017, designed the agricultural investment fund managed by Laguna Bay.

Khoury was supported by special counsel Jaclyn Riley-Smith, senior associate William Lehane, and lawyer Magan Goh. Partner Ben Emblin and special counsel Suzanne Berben also provided assistance.

The team’s work has earned praise from their client.

“It was a monumental effort by Corrs. The team demonstrated outstanding technical legal skills, as well as a deep understanding of our business and the ability to anticipate our needs,” Laguna Bay corporate counsel Samantha Bryce said.

Fadi Khoury