Norton Rose Fulbright welcomes new M&A partner

Veteran M&A and private equity partner Michael O’Neill (pictured) has joined Norton Rose Fulbright’s corporate M&A team based in Australia. He will be dividing his time between the firm’s Melbourne and Sydney offices.

Before joining Norton Rose Fulbright, O’Neill worked at global firm PwC, where he advised on all stages of mergers and acquisitions, as well as other capital raising transactions for international and domestic clients. O’Neill also has previous work experience in international law firms Baker McKenzie and King & Wood Mallesons.

Apart from his corporate and commercial expertise, O’Neill brings strong relationships with private equity, venture capital, and early-stage companies across multiple industries – including tech – to Norton Rose Fulbright.

O’Neill’s practice largely consists of assisting private equity and venture capital sponsors on their business investments. He has advised on leveraged and management buyouts, public takeovers, private M&A transactions, roll-ups, initial public offerings, and exit transactions. He also supports growth-stage companies – including tech firms – source funding from investors, including venture capital and private equity sponsors, and on exit events.

Commenting on his appointment, O’Neill said that his clients would benefit from the access to top international and Australian dealmakers Norton Rose Fulbright provided, as well as the support of “respected national corporate M&A, banking and restructuring teams”.

“I’m excited to be joining a team that is growing in size and momentum at a time when M&A deal and private equity activity could begin to rebound with more stable economic conditions predicted later this year and into 2024,” O’Neill said.

“We are delighted to welcome new partner Michael O’Neill to our national corporate M&A team, which will continue to grow this year,” said Norton Rose Fulbright chief executive partner in Australia, Alison Deitz. “He will work closely with our corporate M&A, private equity, banking and finance, and restructuring partners to help close deals for our major clients.”

The firm’s corporate team leader Bryan Pointon added: “Michael’s history of advising dealmakers in Australia and overseas dovetails with our strong focus on complex work for clients across public company M&A, private equity, equity capital markets, and restructuring involving M&A elements. Our corporate M&A partners and I look forward to working closely with Michael....”