Baker McKenzie > Melbourne, Australia > Firm Profile

‘Combination of individual attention with global reach.’

‘Elisabeth White is outstanding. Technically excellent, commercially astute, great common sense, wonderful interpersonal skills.’

‘Bakers is an excellent IP practice. Strategic, clever, and practical.’

‘Andrew Stewart and Elisabeth White are excellent.’

‘Baker McKenzie has a truly global offering, where a partner in Europe can provide clients access to solutions in Australia through one point of contact.’

‘I have on occasion worked with Victoria Bell in the previous few years. Victoria is extremely organised, professional and personable. She takes a collaborative approach to managing her team and while always maintaining a laser focus on ensuring that the client’s needs are met.’ 

‘Elisabeth White is exceptional in every way – knowledge, communication, commercialism.’

Jonathan Flintoff is a trusted, steady adviser whom we have worked for a very long time.’

‘This team has a deep understanding of competition law issues both from a corporate and regulator perspective as they act for and against the ACCC. This enables Baker McKenzie to give thorough and fast advice on a number of issues. The team is up-to-date with regulatory developments and ensures to keep me informed.’

‘Georgina Foster is able to provide prompt and well-reasoned advice on complex competition issues. The experience of the individuals in the competition law team has been drawn upon in a litigation context, and Baker McKenzie has assembled a multi skilled team to provide the best service.’

‘Paul Forbes and Ryan Grant are extremely knowledgeable and technically adept lawyers.’

‘Paul Forbes and Ryan Grant are exceptionally thorough and thoughtful operators. They are extremely approachable.’

‘The staff provide a very hands-on approach. They are across the detail and are able to provide considered recommendations. They are also easy to collaborate with and approachable.’

‘The B&M team is client and results focused – good commercial outcomes are the goal and are always delivered with a warm personal touch.’

‘The combination of Alex Wolff, Helen Joyce and Andrew Prowse is a devastating one – they are committed to the task at hand and work hard to deliver a great result without losing their fundamental humanity or judgement.’

‘The partners I deal with have a broad range of experience in all forms of commercial litigation, with particular expertise with matters involving highly regulated industries. The team is accessible, very responsive, and the quality of the work they produce is excellent as you would expect from a global firm.’

‘Paul Forbes has a strong presence at the negotiation table, and is great to have by your side. His advice is also very commercially focused, balancing legal versus practical risks.’

‘Great client focus during briefs. Uses their network to facilitate introductions to potential partners ’

‘Aylin Cunsolo is a brilliant partner who has an extensive network and transactional experience to assist complex matters to a close’

‘Tanya Denning’s breadth of experience across both the mining and renewables industries was crucial to our project.’

‘They provide good technical and legal advice of the financial licensing regime in Australia.’

‘Bakers provide excellent legal advice and are also a very personable team, making building relationships and understanding of our business an easy task. ’

‘Holistic team that can attend to all aspects of our needs from front end to back end with strategic and practical advice as well as technical expertise. Large team to meet needs of urgent matters.’

‘Emanuel Confos is an exceptional lawyer. His advice on both front end and back end has been thorough, he is able to think strategically and not just technically, he can advise the board, work with in house counsel, property team and the builder’s construction team with ease. He can co-ordinate urgent applications, SOPA responses or detailed longer advices as needed. Logical, strategic and technical thinker.’

‘Well coordinated, responsive, manages engagements and budgets commercially ’

‘Emanuel Confos has acted for us for 16 years and he has a deep understanding of our business and the industry. He is always available when called and is able to provide timely, commercial and accurate advice.’

‘Harriet Oldmeadow understands our position on dispute avoidance and relationships. Harriet is not only an excellent lawyer who advises clients on complex litigation she is also a strong participant in the construction industry more broadly.’

‘The Baker McKenzie team has consistently provided highly strategic and valuable legal advice and support to our organisation on a number of complex commercial transactions. Their experience and knowledge of the relevant sector, coupled with a strong understanding of our unique priorities and pressures, meant that they have been able to provide pragmatic and strategic insights into issues and risks, and to work creatively through complex situations.’

‘The depth and breadth of experience of the individual members of the team is exceptional.’

‘Baker McKenzie is extremely experienced, very responsive, and consistently meets tight turnarounds demanded by our customers. The firm has superior experience, is more responsive, and has more resources than other firms. They have introduced new subject matter experts when required, who seamlessly engage with our team.’

‘The Baker McKenzie IT team takes a pragmatic approach and provides easy-to-digest advice, especially for those who are not IT experts or lack a specific IT background. However, they do have that knowledge and can switch to ‘IT talk’ as needed.’

‘This legal firm has a wide range and depth of legal experience. The service and response are always prompt and professional, and having virtual meetings and discussions with the firm is always friendly and straight to the point.’

‘The individuals are dedicated to their clients. The very fast response to our queries or requests for support is outstanding. We value their honesty and complete support for us. They are able to help us understand complex issues.’

‘Toby Patten’s understanding of our business needs is excellent. Toby is friendly, approachable, and always arranges the right resources for the services and/or advice we need. The firm has always been concise and provided the right amount and value of service to our company.’

‘Toby Patten is very accessible, both in terms of availability, and in the pragmatic advice he provides in a succinct way.’

‘Anne Petterd is excellent. She is across the law as much as anyone but also ensures her advice is informed by the commercial/business context and is always pragmatic.’

‘A great team who have a great deal of experience advising on media law issues, in particular pre-publication advice for news, delivering calm, confident advice to editorial clients which reassure.’

‘Andrew Stewart – a leading media law expert who is always available as a valued and trusted second ear for tricky media law/ risk issues.’

‘Nick Kraegen – another leader in this field, commands the respect of journalists and editors.’

‘The real estate team is professional and provides excellent advice to progress matters in an effective way. I appreciate that they make themselves available with the workflow demands.’

‘The team has diverse experience in hotel sales, acquisitions, development, and financing across multiple markets in Australia and regionally. The team has depth and extensive skills in the technical legal aspects of this work, including corporate & commercial, real estate, employment, and hotel management agreement negotiations.’

‘They have deep relationships, experience, and know-how which facilitates more constructive negotiations and transaction execution.’

‘The team consists of highly experienced lawyers with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, all of whom have specialised knowledge. This enables the team to offer expert advice from multiple perspectives and tailored solutions for a wide range of legal issues.’

‘Baker McKenzie’s real estate team is a specialised practice that stands out due to its intricate blend of real estate, hospitality, and corporate law knowledge.’

‘Baker McKenzie real estate practice has a broad range of skills, but what really sets them apart is the people and how dedicated they are to delivering for their clients to the highest possible standard and in a timely manner.’

‘The team has consistently provided highly valuable legal advice and support to our organisation on a number of complex commercial transactions.’

‘Sebastian Busa is professional, client-focused, an excellent communicator, and superior in his concise legal advice.’

‘The team is well resourced and provides a truly full-service offering.’ 

‘Simone Bridges offers clients the perfect fusion of technical, black letter excellence together with a practical, solutions focused advice.’

‘Miles Hurst and Tom Brennan have provided us with outstanding service over the years as they are very knowledgeable in their area of specialty.’

‘Miles Hurst’s team are extremely approachable and down to earth. His advice is well-considered and deals with complexity incredibly well. The team have the best outcomes for the business and client in mind.’

‘Miles Hurst really stepped up to the plate with the right balance of emotional intelligence, tax acumen and forward lean to effect a positive outcome on our behalf.’

‘Miles Hurst and Simone Bridges are a good team, each blending their differing experience in tax analysis and tax controversy to provide comprehensive practical and well considered advice to unique situations. ’

‘Miles Hurst led the initial part of our engagement for the Baker Tax team and was organized, respectful, timely and oversaw a large and diverse group of stakeholders in pulling together the needed work product. He was patient and able to distill various inputs in writing with the support of his team and other outside counsel and inhouse counsel and business decision makers.’

‘Brendan Smith at Baker McKenzie was engaged around 18 months ago to review and amend existing bank and bond documentation as a result of a corporate restructuring, and later assisting with new bank and bond documentation.

‘Brendan Smith has been an integral advisor to management, providing current market practice, industry-relevant expertise and valuable briefings and advice to our Board. ’

‘Brendan Smith has been invaluable in navigating/negotiating complex and sometimes contentious legal issues with bank legal advisors, board and management.

‘Brendan is highly engaged and exceptionally responsive. ’

‘The commercial approach of the lead partner, Derek Pocock, sets Baker McKenzie Brisbane apart from other law firms I have worked with over the past year.’ 

‘Strong focus on team cohesiveness and providing safe opportunities for junior lawyers to interact with clients. Good mix of experienced senior lawyers and diligent junior lawyers.’ 

‘Excellent network across the Baker McKenzie global network which is extremely helpful for cross border issues.’

‘Duncan McGrath, Partner, Sydney: Inclusive leader. Strong technical skills. Approachable.’

‘The team works very well together. Despite being a very large firm, the team give a very personal experience when you work with them. They are interested in your business and the individuals that are part of the business.’

‘Derek Pocock, Adrienne de Bruyn and Edward Paynter have done an outstanding job for us this year on the largest transaction our company has done to date. They are technically excellent lawyers within the capital markets space, but more importantly, they are good people to work with. In my view that is the critical thing when dealing with a high pressure/high stakes transactions.’ 

‘Extremely hard working. Highly intelligent. Very commercial. Can get a deal done – know where and when to compromise and when to hold.’

‘The Australian office of Baker McKenzie is very strong in M&A. They have lawyers with experience in both Australian deals and perhaps more helpfully in other jurisdictions, which complements the multi-jurisdictional work done by our team.’

‘Lance Sacks – extremely experienced and commercial M&A lawyer. Quickly gets to the core of the issue.’

‘John Coleman – a very experienced and commercial M&A lawyer. Can pivot between providing conceptual and structuring advice to rolling up his sleeves and drafting complex agreements. Extremely responsive and willing and able to juggle time zones to get the deal done.’

‘Georgie Farrant and Hank Jong are excellent strategic thinkers, very responsive and quickly get on top of highly technical industry issues. They are proactive, communicate complex issues clearly and very easy to work with.’

‘Paul Forbes and Ryan Grant of Baker McKenzie have great technical expertise, and no task is too large.’

‘Paul Forbes and Ryan Grant of Baker McKenzie are exceptionally thorough and thoughtful operators. They are extremely approachable, and great value for money.’

‘Baker McKenzie Sydney’s Labour and Employment practice is exceptionally commercial in its approach to advising clients. Definitely a team to keep on speed dial.’

‘Michael Michalandos possesses a deep and nuanced understanding of employment law. His expertise means that he provides precise and effective advice and helps to to navigate the complex legal landscapes with ease. Carmel Foley is an outstanding senior associate; she anticipates challenges and opportunities and crafts proactive strategies that align with long-term goals.’

‘Calm and personable, even when dealing with emotive and tricky issues. Practical and experienced.’

‘Multi national practice with cross border issues ’

‘Ian Innes – a commercial approach with very good technical ability. Good to work with as either a client or on the otherside of a matter.’

‘Baker McKenzie has a strong restructuring and M&A practice with deep expertise in mining and energy projects across Australia. Baker McKenzie have an extensive network and so are in and around most of the major restructuring engagements.’

‘Gavin Rakoczy has developed a leading reputation for innovative restructuring solutions and is commonly around the most complex restructuring assignments in Australia.

‘Ian Innes is an experienced restructuring lawyer with deep litigation experience that has been involved in ’

‘Full-service international practice.’

‘Ian Innes, a partner in Brisbane, has real intellectual depth and commits to each case 100%.’

‘B&M have significant depth and experience in the white collar crime space. They apply excellence and innovation to every matter to ensure the best possible result.’

‘Alex Wolff and Helen Joyce are particular stand-outs.’

‘Commitment to delivering quality solutions.’

‘Alex Wolff has a wonderful ability to pull together the most effective team – whether it be the combination of solicitors, counsel or third parties needed to effectively run a case, he’s able to smoothly make things happen.’