Piper Alderman has maintained a high level of activity in both buyer and seller-side M&A matters, with the team recently catering to numerous early-stage businesses. Co-head James Dickson is an expert in commercial transactions and the Corporations Act. James Macdonald, who also co-heads the team, brings substantial experience in corporate and commercial law.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Highly commercial team - focussed on pragmatic advice and risk management rather than black letter law advice and risk avoidance.’

  • ‘James MacDonald is very pragmatic when it comes to blending commercial and legal requirements. James Hill is an expert at Corporate/ASX compliance helping to navigate compliance and disclosure requirements so that transactions do not get bogged down in unnecessary approvals.’

  • ‘Specialised knowledge & industry experience, which is translated into commercial perspective and outcomes.' 

  • ‘We enjoy a personalised relationship that does not focus on billing hours first. This provides confidence that our challenges are freely discussed rather than having an ever-present concern around cost.’

  • ‘Professional, trusted advice, prompt attention at all times.’

  • ‘Strong partner, very focused on what the client needs.' 

  • ‘Solid and reliable team. Our partner in general commercial matters. Nice to work with. High availability.’

  • ‘Paul Sartori - efficient, focused, and highly skilled.' 

Key clients

  • Aruma Resources
  • Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
  • BSA Limited
  • Carlisle Health
  • Corporate Carbon Group
  • Cencora PharmaLex
  • Cowes Bay Group
  • Duxton Pubs
  • LC Dyson’s Bus Services
  • Epiroc South Pacific Holdings
  • Glenn Drayton
  • GTH Equipment
  • Kingspan Holdings Australia
  • PeopleFirst Bank
  • PNX Metals
  • Retail Prodigy Group
  • WANT Cotton

Work highlights

  • Advised Driscoll concerning the recently announced $2.5bn EV consortium acquisition of Costa Group Holdings.
  • Advised on the negotiation of the $1.9bn sale of Simulation Software Holding Company.
  • Advised Lanyon RE Services on a transaction consolidating two registered managed investment schemes.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

James Dickson, James Macdonald

Other key lawyers

Josh Steele, Andrew Cutler