Clifford Chance is a London-based magic circle law firm with over 3300 lawyers and 34 offices across 23 countries. In Australia it has offices in Sydney and Perth that are among the newer additions to its Asia-Pacific network. 

Focusses / specialisms

From its Australian base the firm aims to maximise business opportunities for its Australian and global clients in the domestic, Asia-Pacific and international markets. Its core transactional focus is in banking and finance, M&A and project development while its restructuring and insolvency practice continues to gain traction.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Five V Capital, Pepper Group, Partners Group, AMP Capital, ANZ Bank and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. 

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

During the research period the firm’s corporate practice kept busy with privatisations and acquisitions in the retail, financial services, renewable energy, automotive, medical and real estate sectors. 

The finance team handled acquisition financings and energy mandates while the projects team advised on inbound and outbound transport, offshore wind, energy, social infrastructure, coal and mining projects.

The restructuring and insolvency practice advised on corporate and debt restructuring mandates and insolvencies in the electronics, engineering and food and beverage industries. 

The firm’s restructuring and insolvency team was hit with the departure of partner Jenni Hill to the Supreme Court and its corporate team lost partner Richard Graham to Johnson Winter & Slattery.

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

-Dick Smith insolvency

-Endeavour Energy A$350 million acquisition refinancing 

-Formosa II  376W offshore wind farm

-Hastie Group insolvency

-Murra Warra wind farm project

-Nippon Paint Holdings A$4.2 billion acquisition financing 

-PVH Corp A$268 million acquisition of Gazal Corporation

-Western Australian Land Registry A$1.4 billion privatisation

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Banking

“Highly responsive, global platform with senior partner attention to detail.”

M&A

“Thorough, detailed work, explained all legal documents concisely. They have a pragmatic and commercial approach and engaged with the target and their advisers well.”

“Extremely commercial and quick in responding.”

Private equity

“Clear and concise articulation of the core issue. Pragmatic approach to finding solutions.”

Project finance

“Strong working relationship with the bank group. They are responsive and generally provide well thought out opinions.”