A&O Shearman is London-based magic circle law firm with 44 offices across 31 countries staffed with over 3000 lawyers including 554 partners. In Australia the firm has 25 partners in its Sydney and Perth offices. 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is one of the few international firms that has successfully integrated itself into the Australian legal market acting across Asia-Pacific from its Australian base. Finance is traditionally the firm’s strength, and attracts high-end banking work, and aviation-focused structured and asset, leveraged, and project finance work. It also has a strong securitsation and projects practice and is solid in M&A.  

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Palisade Investment Partners, John Laing Group, Goldman Sachs International, Fortescue Metals Group, Asahi and EG Group.

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

During the research period the finance team kept busy with conventional lending mandates, social infrastructure financing and project financing involving PPPs and renewable energy. 

In capital markets the firm was very active with RMBS and ABS securitisation transactions, IPOs and proposed IPOs, capital raisings, bond issues and programme updates, while the projects team handled PPPs and projects in oil and gas, mining, transport and renewable energy. 

The corporate practice kept busy with inbound and outbound, investments, mergers, joint ventures and acquisitions in the conventional and renewable energy, natural resources, industrials, telecommunications, mining, real estate and food and beverage industries.  

The firm bolstered its finance practice with the hire of David Lam from King & Wood Mallesons in Hong Kong to head its China Desk in Australia.  

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

-Arc Infrastructure A$225 million revolving credit facility 

-Asahi Group Holdings A$16 billion acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries 

-CNOOC Curtis Funding No.2 $950 million syndicated term facility

-EG Group A$1.7 billion acquisition of Woolworths Petrol Business

-Kalium Lakes Potash project 

-Life360 ASX IPO

-Origin Energy €600 million 1.00% bond issue

-Port of Portland A$79 million refinancing 

-Silver Arrow Australia 2019-1 A$600 million ABS 

Client feedback: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Banking

“Very responsive.”

Capital markets: Debt

“We work with a very high quality partner and senior lawyer who both provide excellent advice.”

“Studious, global, responsive. They offer great service and are user friendly.”

Capital markets: Equity

“Tony and Cecile are excellent. They are very experienced, commercial, experts in their area and the best thing is that they are so good to deal with.”

“Good technical knowledge and client service.”

Capital markets: Structured finance and securitisation

“They have deep and specialised knowledge in securitisation and capital markets, and they bring to the table significant experience, industry knowledge and insights from their international partners and experiences.”

“Strong legal knowledge. Strong knowledge on industry and market practices. Innovative and creative solution capabilities (able to propose alternatives to overcome obstacles during documentation). They are meticulous in tracking outstanding points to ensure all issues are resolved.”

“A&O Shearman have deep expertise in securitisation law in Australia. The team provides exceptional service with deeply thought through work in a very timely manner.”

M&A

“Very technically strong, good client focus and easy to deal with and find simple solutions.”

Real estate

“Responsive, available, clear in their advice and commercially astute.”