Freehills has a well-established name in the private equity and leveraged finance market and is highly regarded by financial sponsors and banks alike. This is reflected by our strong client base with both leading private equity houses and financiers.

We currently act for private equity funds, banks, arrangers, syndicates and corporate borrowers for all of their general financing requirements. We operate at the leading edge of the market and so have been involved in the development of a broad range of senior and subordinated financing techniques and products.

Our recent experience includes:

• Ausfuel/Gull - Acted for Archer Capital in relation to the $225 million financing for the acquisition of the Gull group and refinancing of the financing for the acquisition of the Ausfuel group.
• China Merchants Loscam Group - Acted for China Merchants Group on the $265 million financing for its acquisition of the Loscam group of companies.
• Brownes - Acted for Archer Capital on the financing of the acquisition of WA Brownes milk and fruit juice business.
• Cover-more Group - Acted for Westpac in connection with financing in connection with the acquisition of Cover-more Group.
• Tegel - Advising the senior financiers funding Affinity Equity Partners’ acquisition of Tegel in New Zealand.
• Advent Private Capital - Acted for Advent Private Capital and management on the financing of the buy out of Genesis Care Group (I-Med/HeartCare Group).
• Wolseley Private Equity - Acted for Wolseley Private Equity on the financing of the acquisition of Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure.
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia - Acted for Commonwealth Bank of Australia in relation to the financing for Illyria’s acquisition of 50% of DMG Radio Australia.
• Coles Group - Acted for ANZ, BNP Paribas and NAB as joint lead arrangers and underwriters on the largest single corporate financing ever undertaken in the Australian loan market—the $10 billion facility provided to Wesfarmers to fund the acquisition of Coles Group.
• Rebel Sports - Acted for Archer Capital on the $369 million financing for the acquisition of Rebel Sports Limited.
• Myer - Acted for Newbridge–TPC and the Myer Family Consortium in the $1.4 billion leveraged financing of the Myer retrial store business and the Myer Melbourne freehold store.
• Channel Seven - Acted for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) and Channel Seven in relation to the leveraged financing of the $4 billion media joint venture between Seven and KKR.
• Dyno Nobel - Acted for BOS International (Australia) Limited, The Royal Bank of Scotland and National Australia Bank Limited on the US$815 million leveraged financing of Macquarie Bank’s acquisition of Dyno Nobel.
• Witchery Fashions - Advised Gresham Private Equity on the financing of its acquisition of Witchery Fashions.

Having acted on many of Australia’s largest acquisition financings, we can offer clients a proven track record of providing the highest quality of legal advice.

Our experience in acting for both borrowers and lenders and our knowledge of current market practice assists us in working with you to meet your commercial objectives.

Awards

• Law Firm of the Year 2010, 12th Annual Insto Distinction Awards
• Best Financial Law Firm 2009, FinanceAsia Awards
• Best M&A Deal 2008, FinanceAsia Awards: Westfarmers/Coles A$18.3 billion acquisition

League Guides

Tier 1 Ranking, Banking & Finance, Chambers Global Guide (2011, 2010, 2009)

• Tier 1 Ranking, Banking & Finance, Asia Pacific Legal 500 (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005)
• Tier 1 Ranking, Banking & Finance: Acquisition Finance, Chambers Global Guide (2011, 2010, 2009, 2008)

Testimonials

• ‘This powerhouse group reaps widespread market praise for its expertise and commitment to service. Pioneering legal and commercial solutions, the group earns client plaudits for its proactive lawyers and well-staffed teams’ Chambers Asia Pacific Guide
• ‘Once again proving a pre-eminent firm in the Australian finance market, Freehills stands out to commentators for its “commerciality and experience in dealing with high-pressure, high-risk situations.”’ Chambers Global Guide
• ‘Clients applaud the “partners’ fantastic depth of knowledge and commercial and timely advice.”’ Chambers Global
• ‘[Freehills is] … ubiquitous in the fields of M&A and leveraged finance.‘ Chambers Global Guide