Despite a year of many challenges, the Australasian Law Awards continues to celebrate excellence
It is our pleasure to present this year’s Australasian Law Awards commemorative guide.
2020 has been a year of cataclysmic upheaval. COVID-19 has changed our whole world, impacting everything from our social lives to our working habits. However, this does not mean we should not be celebrating the ongoing hard work and achievements of those at the forefront of the legal profession.
In fact, in a time of disruption and uncertainty, recognising and celebrating excellence is more vital than ever. Even though we were not able to celebrate their accomplishments in person, the legal profession’s future looks bright as we acknowledge its brightest stars in the following pages. These are the lawyers and industry leaders who will be seizing the opportunity to ensure the profession emerges even stronger than it was before COVID-19.
The Australasian Law Awards recognises the best lawyers, firms, in-house legal teams and deals that have shaped the industry landscape over the preceding 12 months. Members of the legal profession in Australia and New Zealand were invited to submit nominations across 34 categories.
We received hundreds of outstanding nominations and a short list of candidates was sent to our esteemed panel of judges, comprised of private practice and in-house counsel leaders. We thank the judging panel for dedicating their time to selecting and awarding excellence.
Due to the high calibre of nominations, this year there are several excellence award recipients in each category, in addition to the overall winners.
The team at Australasian Lawyer and Key Media would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists. We know you will be inspired by reading about their outstanding accomplishments.
Despite the challenges we face today, the future of our profession has never looked brighter.
Here are the winners of Australasian Law Awards 2020:
Debt Market Deal of the Year
Winner: Debt acquisition facility to fund Saracen Mineral Holdings's 'Super Pit' acquisition
Energy & Resources Deal of the Year
Winner: Mineral Resources sale of lithium assets to Albemarle
Equity Market Deal of the Year
Winner: Westpac capital raising
Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year
Winner: Wollongong Coal and Jindal Steel & Power debt restructuring
International Deal of the Year
Winner: Amcor US listing and acquisition of Bemis
M&A Deal of the Year
Winner: Brookfield acquisition of Healthscope
Property, Infrastructure and Projects Deal of the Year
Winner: Sydney Metro public private partnership
Australian Deal of the Year
Winner: Brookfield acquisition of Healthscope
The Resolution Institute Australian Arbitrator of the Year
Winner: Donna Ross, Donna Ross Dispute Resolution
Australian Dealmaker of the Year
Winner: Tony Damian, Herbert Smith Freehills
Australian In-House Lawyer of the Year
Winner: Connie Carnabuci, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Resolution Institute Australian Mediator of the Year
Winner: Dr Anne Purcell, Resolution Partners
Law Firm Leader of the Year (>200 lawyers)
Winner: Danny Gilbert, Gilbert + Tobin
Law Firm Leader of the Year (≤200 lawyers)
Winner: Paul Hopkins, Carter Newell Lawyers
NZ Dealmaker of the Year
Winner: Henry Willis, Webb Henderson
Young In-House Lawyer of the Year (30 or under)
Winner: Annie Pang, Vodafone Hutchison Australia
Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (30 or under)
Winner: Myra Beal, Herbert Smith Freehills
Australian Deal Team of the Year
Winner: Herbert Smith Freehills M&A Team
Clayton Utz Australian In-House Team of the Year
Winner: Lendlease Building Legal Team
Banking & Financial Services In-House Team of the Year
Winner: Bank of Queensland Group Legal Team
Boutique Firm of the Year
Winner: Clarendon Lawyers
Corporate Citizen Firm of the Year
Winner: Gilbert + Tobin
Employment Law Specialist Firm of the Year
Winner: Workdynamic Australia
Marsh Excellence in Employee Health & Wellbeing Award
Winner: Clayton Utz
Excellence in Technology & Innovation
Winner: Sprintlaw
Sparke Helmore Insurance In-House Team of the Year
Winner: IAG - Insurance Australia Group
Insurance Specialist Firm of the Year
Winner: Meridian Lawyers
Law Firm of the Year (> 500 lawyers)
Winner: Allens
GlobalX Law Firm of the Year (101-500 lawyers)
Winner: Gilbert + Tobin
Law Firm of the Year (1-100 lawyers)
Winner: Chamberlains Law Firm
Legal Service Provider of the Year
Winner: Thomson Reuters Australia
NZ Deal Firm of the Year
Winner: MinterEllisonRuddWatts
NZ In-House Team of the Year
Winner: Spark New Zealand
State/Regional Firm of the Year
Winner: New South Lawyers
