image of Michael LinehanMichael Linehan

Clayton Utz Partner , Melbourne T +61 3 9286 6168 https://www.claytonutz.com

An experienced transactions lawyer, Michael Linehan is highly regarded for his negotiation skills, commercial judgment and advice, particularly in the areas of transaction structuring and management of transaction processes.

Michael's particular focus is on negotiated mergers and acquisitions (including private equity and venture capital transactions), joint ventures and strategic alliances, and advised on and negotiating complex commercial agreements. His clients come from a diverse range of industries including healthcare, agribusiness, manufacturing and retail.

Michael also advises public and private companies, local and foreign, on a range of corporate matters, including governance and regulatory compliance (such as under the Corporations Act and the Australian Competition and Consumer Act).

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Expertise

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Michael's recent work includes:

Acciona: advising Acciona on its acquisition of the engineering business of Lendlease for $180 million.

O-I Glass, Inc.: advising NYSE listed O-I on various acquisitions and divestments, including the $735 million sale of its Australia and New Zealand glass container manufacturing business.

Australian Motoring Services (AMS): advising AMS on its investment in start-up Chargefox, Australia's first ultra-fast charging network powered by renewable energy.

PPB Advisory: advised PPB on its merger with the corporate restructuring and management consulting practice of PwC. 

Epworth Foundation: advised Epworth Healthcare on:

  • the sale of its radiation oncology business to Integrated Clinical Oncology Network Pty Ltd (part of the Icon private equity group);
  • the acquisition of the Freemasons Hospital campuses and business in East Melbourne;
  • the acquisition of the Cedar Court rehabilitation hospital; and
  • the establishment of the Epworth Geelong university teaching hospital.

Noisette Bakery Pty Ltd: advised on the sale of Noisette retail and wholesale artisan baked goods business to Next Capital Pty Ltd.

Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Limited: advised RACV on the joint venture with NRMA (now Insurance Australia Group) to establish Insurance Manufacturers of Australia, the acquisition of the DSP and EPAC salary packaging and fleet management businesses and the acquisition of the Nationwide Towing Group, Australia's largest independent towing operator.

Politix: advising on the sale of the Politix men's fashion business to South African listed entity Woolworths Holdings Limited.

Griffon Corporation/Cyclone Tools: advised Griffon/Cyclone Tools on its acquisition of Tuscan Path and Hills Home Living businesses.

Axiata Group: advised Axiata Digital Services Sdn Bhd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Axiata Group which is listed on the Bursa Malaysia), on the Australian aspects of its investment in Unlockd Media Pty Ltd.

Myer: advised Myer on its acquisition of the Marcs and David Lawrence national retail businesses.

Capital Square Partners Advisors Pte Ltd: advised Capital Square Partners on its acquisition of ESM Holdings Limited, holding company of Aegis, a major global outsourcing company.

Owens-Illinois, Inc.: advised O-I on the divestment of the O-I Plastics Packaging division and the O-I Industrial Minerals division.

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.: advising NYSE listed ITW on various acquisition and divestment matters including the acquisition of Smart Home Products, SRB, Septone polymers and fluids and Nylex gardening products businesses, division and the divestment of the Australian retail garden tools division, and ongoing corporate and regulatory advice.

Ridley Corporation Limited: advised Ridley on the acquisition of the Camilleri Stockfeeds business, and the divestment of the Cheetham Salt business.

Cotton On Group: advised Cotton On on the acquisition of the Supré retail chain.

Epworth Healthcare: advised Epworth on the acquisition of the Freemasons Hospital and the Cedar Court Rehabilitation Hospital, the Victorian radiology joint venture with Sonic Healthcare. and the establishment of the Epworth Geelong campus.

RACV: advised RACV on the joint venture with NRMA (now Insurance Australia Group) to establish Insurance Manufacturers of Australia, and advised RACV on the acquisition of the DSP and EPAC salary packaging and fleet management businesses.

Godfreys: advised on the sale of the Godfreys national vacuum cleaner and cleaning products retail business.

Adairs: advised on the sale of the Adairs national manchester business.

Auscap: advised on the sale of the Auscap Closures steel closure manufacturing business.

Monash IVF: advised original practitioner shareholders on the sale of the Monash IVF business.

Victoria Carpets: advised Victoria plc on the acquisition of the Quest carpets business and the Dunlop Flooring business.

See Mergers and Acquisitions

Corporate / M&A

Michael's recent work includes:

Retail

Politix: advising on the sale of the Politix men's fashion business to South African listed entity Woolworths Holdings Limited.

Myer: advised Myer on its acquisition of the Marcs and David Lawrence national retail businesses.

Noisette Bakery Pty Ltd: advised on the sale of Noisette retail and wholesale artisan baked goods business to Next Capital Pty Ltd (via its wholly owned subsidiary Artisanal Finance Pty Limited).

Cotton On Group: advised Cotton On on the acquisition of the Supré retail chain.

Godfreys: advised on the sale of the Godfreys national vacuum cleaner and cleaning products retail business.

Adairs: advised on the sale of the Adairs national manchester business.


Healthcare

Epworth Healthcare: advised Epworth on the acquisition of the Freemasons Hospital and the Cedar Court Rehabilitation Hospital, the Victorian radiology joint venture with Sonic Healthcare. and the establishment of the Epworth Geelong campus.

Epworth Foundation: advised Epworth Healthcare on the sales of  its radiation oncology business to Integrated Clinical Oncology Network Pty Ltd (part of the Icon private equity group) for an undisclosed cash consideration.

Monash IVF: advised original practitioner shareholders on the sale of the Monash IVF business.


Agribusiness

Ridley Corporation Limited: advised Ridley on the acquisition of the Camilleri Stockfeeds business, and the divestment of the Cheetham Salt business.


Manufacturing

I Glass, Inc. : advising NYSE listed O-I on various acquisitions and divestments, including the $735 million sale of its Australia and New Zealand glass container manufacturing business.

Victoria Carpets: advised Victoria plc on the acquisition of the Quest carpets business.

Griffon Corporation/Cyclone Tools: advised Griffon/Cyclone Tools on its acquisition of Tuscan Path and Hills Home Living businesses.

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.: advising NYSE listed ITW on various acquisition and divestment matters including the acquisition of Smart Home Products, SRB, Septone polymers and fluids and Nylex gardening products businesses, the divestment of the Australian retail garden tools division, and ongoing corporate and regulatory advice.

Owens-Illinois, Inc.: advised O-I on the divestment of the O-I Plastics Packaging division and the O-I Industrial Minerals division.

Ridley Corporation Limited: advised Ridley on the acquisition of the Camilleri Stockfeeds business, and the divestment of the Cheetham Salt business.

Auscap: advised on the sale of the Auscap Closures steel closure manufacturing business.


Advising international companies

Acciona: advising Acciona on its acquisition of the engineering business of Lendlease for $180 million.

O-I Glass, Inc.: advising NYSE listed O-I on various acquisitions and divestments, including the $735 million sale of its Australia and New Zealand glass container manufacturing business.

Capital Square Partners Advisors Pte Ltd: conducted legal due diligence and advised on certain Australian law issues in respect of Capital Square Partners' acquisition of 100% of the share capital in ESM Holdings Limited, holding company of Aegis, a major global outsourcing company.

Axiata Group: advised Axiata Digital Services Sdn Bhd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Axiata Group which is listed on the Bursa Malaysia), on the Australian aspects of its investment in Unlockd Media Pty Ltd.

Owens-Illinois, Inc.: advised O-I on the divestment of the O-I Plastics Packaging division and the O-I Industrial Minerals division.

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.: advising NYSE listed ITW on various acquisition and divestment matters including the acquisition of Smart Home Products, SRB, Septone polymers and fluids and Nylex gardening products businesses, the divestment of the Australian retail garden tools division, and ongoing corporate and regulatory advice.

Victoria Carpets: advised Victoria plc on the acquisition of the Quest carpets business and the Dunlop Flooring business.

See Corporate / M&A

Corporate Governance

Michael advises ASX 200 companies on corporate governance issues.

See Corporate Governance

Governance and Compliance

Michael regularly advises various ASX, NYSE and large unlisted clients on governance and compliance issues generally (including Ridley Corporation Limited, Epworth Healthcare, RACV, Illinois Tool Works Inc., O-I Inc.)

See Governance and Compliance

Australian Consumer Law

Michael regularly advises various ASX, NYSE and large unlisted manufacturing and retail clients on Australian consumer law compliance and best practice (including Ridley Corporation Limited, Illinois Tool Works Inc. and O-I Inc.).

See Australian Consumer Law

Competition

Michael regularly advises various ASX, NYSE and large unlisted clients on Australian competition law generally (including Ridley Corporation Limited, Illinois Tool Works Inc. and O-I Inc.). 

See Competition

Agribusiness and Food

See Agribusiness and Food

Knowledge

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