Mills Oakley adds corporate expert in Brisbane

Mills Oakley has given its Brisbane-based corporate team a boost with the addition of Malcolm McBratney in the Queensland capital.

McBratney joined the national firm’s partnership from Macpherson Kelley, where he was a principal and the head of the Brisbane commercial practice. He was also a senior associate at Clayton Utz and a 15-year partner at McCullough Robertson.

The appointment grew Mills Oakley’s advisory team in Brisbane to five partners. Mills Oakley said that the team is now a genuine alternative to other top-tier corporate advisory practices in Queensland.

McBratney is the fourth senior lawyer Mills Oakley welcomed in February. It added a partner and her team in Melbourne, a special counsel in Perth, and a partner in Brisbane last month.

McBratney is an expert in IP, technology, and corporate law. He advises on M&A transactions involving technology companies, as well as the IP aspects of transactions in other sectors, the firm said.

“We have a clear strategy of adding expertise which supports the cross-disciplinary aspects of transactional work,” said Mills Oakley CEO John Nerurker. “Malcolm’s expertise across IP, corporate and technology matters is a major enhancement of our Brisbane offering.”

McBratney advises on M&A, private equity, commercial and licensing, and the full range of IP matters. He regularly acts for international companies expanding into Australia and Australian companies expanding overseas.

“My practice is particularly focused on technology and life sciences, two areas where Mills Oakley has cultivated a strong reputation and track record for deal-making,” he said.