The full-service finance practice at Allens leverages its alliance with the Linklaters network to assist domestic and international bank clients, as well as global corporates and funds in the full range of banking work across all asset classes. The team is well regarded for its syndicated corporate, acquisition and asset financing expertise. Leading figure Alan Maxton routinely counsels blue-chip borrowers in Australia, along with sponsors and lenders, and is supported by Tom Highnam on fund finance and derivatives work. Mark Kidston‘s acquisition and leveraged financing practice is complemented by Jo Folan‘s experience in property finance. Renee Boundy, Ben O’Hoy and Rita Pang are recommended for asset and bilateral finance matters.

With ‘unparalleled knowledge of corporate-related financing transactions’ Ashurst has a notable track record in Australian dollar unitranche, cov-lite and conventional leveraged loan financings and - more recently - recurring revenue financing solutions. Its sizeable team is also well reputed in leveraged, acquisition and property finance, covering a range of cross-border and domestic matters. Key figures include senior partners Shawn Wytenburg, Martin Coleman and Steve Smith, who are particularly noted for asset-backed lending and debt transactions. Kenneth Nguyen is a top property and acquisition finance specialist. Kenneth Tang has worked on the debt financings of many high-profile acquisitions in the Australian market and has expertise in the unitranche lending product.

Gilbert + Tobin‘s banking and finance team possesses strong expertise in cross-border deals, especially those involving US private equity entities, demonstrated through its work with KKR in relation to the financing of the proposed A$20bn take-private transaction of Ramsay Health Care. John Schembri and Simon Lynch are among Australia’s preeminent acquisition, corporate and project finance experts. For large corporate and acquisition financing, Gail Christopher, Robert Trowbridge and Stuart Cormack are noted. Spiro Papadolias is experienced in leveraged, property and REIT financing transactions.

John Angus is one of Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘ leading experts in complex asset and structured finance and leasing transactions, as well as corporate and acquisition finance. The practice is also strengthened by Andrew Booth‘s expertise in corporate financing and Melita Cottrell‘s work in property finance and senior and mezzanine debt transactions. Rowen Cross and Martin MacDonald are also recommended for property financing. Hayley Neilson leads the national leveraged finance division, and senior associate Amy Repse advises borrowers and lenders on syndicated, bilateral and club facilities.

In addition to its core corporate and acquisition finance department, King & Wood Mallesons continues to be engaged in emerging areas such as fintech and green, social and sustainable financing in Australia. Yuen-Yee Cho‘s clients range from leading Australian and offshore corporates to global private equity firms and commercial and investment banks. Ken Astridge leads on property finance, debt capital markets and corporate finance mandates. In Melbourne, Jonathan Oldham acts for sponsors and financiers, specialising in corporate finance, projects and workout matters. He is ably assisted by Marcus Wettenhall on property finance.

A favourite among borrowers and financiers on the financing of property acquisitions and developments with complex and cross-jurisdictional elements, Clayton Utz‘s Alexander Schlosser-led banking group also demonstrates strong capabilities in securitisation-backed acquisition finance and green finance. Schlosser is also experienced in restructurings and works alongside fellow partner Graeme Tucker on structured and asset finance. Kate O’Donovan has built up a solid reputation in leverage finance, and is supported by associate Jeremy Murnain.

Clifford Chance is known in the market for its expertise in leveraged finance, acquisition and infrastructure finance and financial regulatory issues. ‘Technically strong lawyer‘ Elizabeth Hundt Russell is an expert in senior and mezzanine financings, unitranches, convertible notes, Holdco PIKs, vendor loans and TLBs. Managing partner Richard Gordon is highlighted for his work in corporate lending and restructurings. For project and energy finance, Chad Bochan and Philip Sealey are key figures.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth‘s client roster includes a balanced range of corporates, foreign banks and alternative credit providers. It is also often instructed as Australian counsel by leading UK and US law firms in cross-border financings. Adam Stapledon and senior partner John Mosley have significant expertise in acquisition, project and corporate financing transactions across the infrastructure, renewables, energy and resources sectors. Stewart Robertson leads on domestic term loan B, unitranche, first/second lien loans, and syndicated and bilateral finance. Megan Russell is recognised for her work in NDIS and social and affordable housing financing.

Minter Ellison has carved out a reputation for working with debt funds, non-bank lenders, sovereign wealth funds and real estate private equity houses in respect of their activities, including mezzanine debt, preferred equity and equity co-ventures. Tony Berriman has a keen focus on property finance. Also on the property side, Daniel Marks advises on infrastructure projects, wholesale fund and portfolio financing. Practice head James Mok specialises in asset-based lending and structured finance transactions, and corporate finance partners Matthew Cunningham and Geoff Earl are also of note.

A&O Shearman‘s strong fund financing practice is led by William Kim, specialising in NAV and hybrid financing transactions for private credit, private equity and mixed strategy funds. Bringing expertise in M&A, unitranche, mezzanine and TLB financings, Marnie Fels‘ arrival from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in April 2023 bolstered the practice’s leveraged finance capabilities. Peter Wilkes advises on debt finance transactions, particularly in the energy and natural resources sector.

Arnold Bloch Leibler has a particular focus on property and project finance. Its corporate finance team, which includes Genevieve Sexton, Paul Rubenstein, Nathan Briner and practice head Ben Mahoney, has extensive experience in acting for lenders, investors and borrowers in respect of acquisition facilities and structured financing arrangements. Damien Cuddihy‘s practice has a strong emphasis on property finance.

At Baker McKenzie, practice head Duncan McGrath has over 25 years of experience acting for sponsors, borrowers and lenders in leveraged and cross-border acquisitions, handling a range of property and corporate financings. In the energy sector, Charlie Detmold is active in corporate and project finance. Since publication, Alastair Gourlay departed in April 2024.

Dentons is recognised for its expertise in loans and its cross-border practice. Timothy Lipscombe is highlighted for his real estate, property and construction finance experience, while in the structured finance and securitisation space, Stanley Mok is the lead partner. Anthony Walsh chairs the practice.

Johnson Winter Slattery‘s team of ‘stand-out lawyers‘ are ‘very personable and commercial‘, and act for ASX-listed and private equity clients, as well as large private or unlisted companies and trusts. In Brisbane, David Beckett‘s practice focuses on supporting Australian and global private equity houses to structure and negotiate their leveraged finance transactions. Also recommended are Nicholas Grambas for project finance and counsel Man Loi for debt finance.

K&L Gates has traditionally held a strong focus on property financing matters, and is now increasingly leveraging its global expertise to advise on infrastructure and energy transactions in Australia and across Southeast Asia. Alan Maclean in Melbourne is the lead senior partner on property and asset finance, while in Sydney, Richard Gray is noted for project and infrastructure finance. In the same office, Richard Hayes departed in July 2023.

A specialist in cross-border deals, Norton Rose Fulbright leverages its global presence and international expertise to engage with international banks across China, Japan, the US and Europe. It is particularly known for its ESG and sustainable finance experience. The Sydney group includes practice head Tim Mornane as well as Nuncio D’Angelo, Hamish Dixon and Lisa Koch, all specialising in cross-border corporate and property financings.

DLA Piper is noted for its capabilities in general banking and syndicated lending, as well as trade and asset finance. The Onno Bakker-led team also routinely assists financial services clients in relation to the sale and acquisition of loan portfolios. Hugo Thistlewood is another key figure in the Sydney office.

Melbourne-based corporate finance partner Doug Scobie leads the finance practice at Gadens Lawyers, which is praised for its ‘exceptional communication‘. Scobie also specialises in property and construction finance and works alongside Elliot Raleigh.

Specialising in the structuring and negotiation of bespoke financing arrangements, hybrid structures and cross-border transactions for borrowers, sponsors and financiers, Hamilton Locke ‘works cohesively and closely with clients to deliver efficient and effective results.’ Practice head Zina Edwards‘ ‘knowledge of complex structures and Australian legal principles is invaluable for foreign investors’. She is noted for advising onshore and offshore credit fund clients across venture debt, growth financing, real estate and structured finance transactions.

With a global presence, Hogan Lovells is instructed by blue-chip multinational corporates, leading banks and credit funds on cross-border acquisition and leveraged finance deals. With over 25 years’ experience, Bryan Paisley is the lead specialist in real estate and fund finance. He also routinely advises on secondary debt transactions and distressed refinancing.

McCullough Robertson‘s team of ‘very sensible, technically able, commercial and flexible‘ lawyers has carved out a good reputation in the property finance space. The firm has a strong following among non-bank lenders and government lending bodies. Wei Lim is an ‘exceptional technician‘ in relation to corporate lending and project finance. David Gilham is a go-to for syndicated and bilateral finance transactions.

Mills Oakley strengthened its corporate finance practice with the recruitment of special counsel Robert Murphy from Norton Rose Fulbright. Murphy’s experience in construction finance and asset-backed lending complements lead partner Graeme Gurney’s specialism in real estate, asset and structured finance. Peter Kennedy is the practitioner to note in Brisbane, while in Melbourne, trade finance specialist Monique Stella is recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP has recently seen an increase in instructions in corporate finance and debt capital markets transactions. Led by ‘outstanding practitioner‘ Jim Hunwick, the practice assists market-leading borrowers and sponsors with their debt portfolios and major transactions and also acts for non-bank and bank lenders. The practice is also well equipped to handle cross-border property, acquisition and asset finance. Jeremy King is highlighted for project financing.

Acquisition and leveraged finance lies at the heart of White & Case‘s finance practice, alongside a growing portfolio of real estate and asset-based financing transactions. Mark Wesseldine has a good reputation for representing international credit funds, financial institutions and specialist senior loan investors in multi-tranche and unitranche capital investments. Cross-border leveraged buyout financing is another area of focus.

Working predominantly in the property and construction finance arena, Colin Biggers & Paisley and, in particular, its lead finance partner Kate Craig act for international and Australian corporate borrowers.

Hall & Wilcox has a well-developed real estate finance practice and a reputation for acting for senior and mezzanine lenders (bank and non-bank) as well as borrowers, including property funds and developers. In Melbourne, Mark Inston has over 25 years’ experience working across all forms of corporate finance.

Maddocks‘ practice is geared towards advising Australian lenders and borrowers on property acquisition deals, and development and construction financing for residential, commercial and industrial assets. It also advises on corporate financing mandates.  Arlene Colquhoun in Sydney and Melbourne’s Ilan Kraus jointly lead the practice.

Sparke Helmore Lawyers is recommended for real estate, construction, project and infrastructure finance, and is particularly well regarded in the bilateral mid-market space. Andrew Johnston leads the group and is sought after for advice on security and restructuring issues, including intercreditor and subordination arrangements, and related hedging arrangements. Leveraged and acquisition finance are growing areas of focus.