Mills Oakley brings in M&A expert from KWM

Mills Oakley has strengthened its corporate and M&A capability thanks to a new addition from a rival.

Tim Downing has been appointed by the national firm as special counsel. He will move from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), where he spent the last 13 years, most recently as senior associate. He starts his new role on 29 May.

The appointment comes after Mills Oakley gained new partners, who specialise in projects and finance, in April.

Downing is an expert in M&A, corporate structuring and reconstructions, joint ventures, and ECM transactions. His clients include BlueScope Steel, ANZ, Dow Chemicals, and Asciano prior to its 2016 split.

He has particular expertise in warranty and indemnity insurance, which Mills Oakley said is being increasingly used to counter risk in M&A.

“Unsurprisingly, risk profile is a major consideration in any transaction, and Tim’s experience in this area is a major asset to both our corporate offering and our insurance offering,” said John Nerurker, Mills Oakley chief executive.

The firm said that Downing will work closely with tax partner and warranty and indemnity insurance expert Andrew Spalding to build the firm’s practice in the area. They will also build the firm’s private advisory practice, it said.

“Mills Oakley has an agile, responsive and entrepreneurial culture which is an ideal fit for my practice. I am looking forward to being part of the team,” Downing said.