K&L Gates is known for its national and sector specific expertise across Australia – excelling in education and childcare in Sydney, agribusiness in Brisbane, health and life sciences in Melbourne and sports in Perth – and retains its standing as a go-to mid-market advisor, attracting a wide range of start-ups and fintech companies nationally as well as globally. The team has recently welcomed three new partners, James Lonie, Natalya Hards and Naomi Philp from HWL Ebsworth, into the department. They practice from the Sydney office, while team head Chris Nikou oversees work from the Melbourne office, dealing predominantly with private equity, mergers and acquisitions, franchising and corporate governance.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Their knowledge of their client's business is the key differentiator. The team takes real interest in understanding the strategies, risk tolerances, competitors and targets. This makes them like an extension of the investment and transaction teams.'
- 'I have worked with the team for more than two decades. A key attraction for potential clients is the attention to detail, keen desire to understand the client's business and their skills in Corporate and M&A areas, having done numerous complex transactions.'
- 'Key strengths and capabilities in venture capital financings and venture capital M&A.'
- 'Daniel Atkin and Simon Leslie are stand-out partners and experts in venture capital financing.'
- 'James Lonie - smartest man in the room and a completely quality individual. He is more than ably supported by Naomi Philp. They are technically above reproach, but more importantly approach each engagement with a commercial sensibility which is often missing in highly technically proficient practitioners.'
Key clients
- CIMIC Group Limited
- Sedgman Pty Ltd
- Freightways Limited
- Macquarie Bank Limited
- Nura Holdings Pty Ltd
- Rex Labs Holdings Pty Ltd
- Azure Minerals Ltd
- Castle Minerals
- Emeco Pty Ltd
- AirTree Ventures
- Telstra Ventures
- Macquarie Bank
- Azure Minerals Ltd
- Castle Minerals
- Blackbird Ventures
- Telstra Ventures
- Macquarie Bank
Work highlights
- Advised New Zealand Stock Exchange-listed Freightways Limited on its acquisition of the Australian group Allied Transport with operations throughout Australia.
- Advised TAE Aerospace, a global aerospace company, in connection with its acquisition by Australian defence manufacturer ASDAM Operations.
- Advised Smart Urban Properties Australia on the acquisition of the SUPA Technologies, Connecx and Fiber Asset Management businesses.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Chris Nikou