Blue chip client base
We advise many of the top ASX 200 companies, including leading banks and financial institutions. The high calibre of our client base is evidence of the innovative, quality service we provide.
Leader in structured products
We have unrivalled structured products expertise and have been involved in many of the significant developments in this area. We understand the related issues in this space, and how best to resolve them in the most commercial way.
International industry expertise
We bring together expertise from Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. You can rely on us to deliver innovative solutions that are at the cutting edge, not only in Australia, but globally.
Industry recognition
We are recognised as one of Australia's leading derivatives law firms, and are at the top of our game. For example, we were recently named Derivatives Week/Derivatives Intelligence Law Firm of the Year for Australia (2013).
Experience
Buy-side
We act for major players in the funds management industry including AMP, Schroders, State Street, BlackRock, BT Investment Management, sovereign wealth funds and various superannuation entities. Our work in this area has ranged from:
- advising on Australian OTC reforms
- preparing and negotiating template documentation incorporating investment manager supplements (IMS) and credit support documents including CSAs
Various members of our team have also been seconded to AMP and through this opportunity have gained an excellent perspective of the issues driving buy side clients.
Regulatory
Our team drafts and negotiates OTC derivatives documentation to reflect the risk and regulatory environment of each transaction. Using our combined skills across multiple legal disciplines, gained through years of experience in advising clients on the development, documentation and distribution of OTC derivative products in the Australian market and offshore, we help clients to navigate the regulatory landscape for OTC derivatives transactions wherever they are.
Central clearing
Our specialist team helps clients with all aspects of their move to OTC clearing, including advising on legal risks relating to their exposures to CCPs, the capital consequences under Basel III and the statutory environment which regulates centrally cleared OTC derivatives. We also review and negotiate the various documents supporting the OTC clearing models.
M&A
We've acted for major assets companies in relation to various M&A transactions involving pre-bid hedging structures and acquisition, and sales of derivatives portfolios.
Sell-side
We're acting for banks and other major ASX-listed companies including Leighton, Transfield, Virgin Blue, Centennial Coal, Centro, Origin, RailCorp, ANZ, CBA, NAB, Westpac, Suncorp, Bank of Queensland and NBN Co.
Structured products
Our team offers an unrivalled depth and breadth of experience at the cutting edge of structured products involving derivatives.
Working closely with a number of leading issuers, our specialist structured products team has advised on all types of structured products. We've been closely involved with many of the significant developments in this area, including the legal structures underpinning many of the most popular and tax efficient products.