The Firm also provides advice to clients in the region on regulatory and corporate governance matters, and represents clients in litigation and investigations. Our lawyers in Melbourne and Sydney advise clients on U.S. and English law matters, working closely with our lawyers in Asia, the United States and Europe.
S&C represents many of the region's major corporations, financial institutions and governmental issuers. Our clients operate in a variety of sectors, including:
- banking and finance;
- energy and natural resources, including oil and gas and mining;
- funds management;
- industrial and commercial;
- infrastructure;
- insurance;
- investment and financial services;
- leisure;
- real estate;
- retail; and
- technology, media and telecommunications.
Pre-Eminent U.S. Capital Markets Expertise
The Firm's Melbourne and Sydney-based practice provides U.S.-law advice on debt and equity capital markets transactions and securities offerings by Australian, New Zealand and Papua New Guinean issuers. With extensive experience in high-value transactions, S&C has become the region's leading law firm advising issuers and underwriters on U.S. capital markets financings.
S&C has also acted on behalf of sovereign issuers, selling shareholders, or underwriters in a number of the largest privatizations in the region.
Leading Credit and Leveraged Finance Practice
S&C's credit and leveraged finance practice in Australia advises credit funds, banks, borrowers and financial sponsors on U.S. and English law financing transactions. The team has extensive experience with existing and evolving financial products and is well positioned to assist clients in developing appropriate financial structures. Our credit and leveraged finance practice in the region supports the Firm's global, integrated client base on complex and critical financing transactions.
Special Situations and Restructuring
S&C's special situations and restructuring practice in Australia advises creditors and debtors on rescue financing, liability management, stakeholder management and in-court and out-of-court restructuring transactions. By their nature, each special situation or restructuring is unique with a highly variable outcome for a distressed company's stakeholders. S&C's extensive experience with every tool in the restructuring tool box means that our team can bring creative thinking and new ideas, in addition to best in class execution and stakeholder management to an inherently uncertain and difficult situation to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.
Premier Project Finance Practice
S&C has advised on some of the largest and most complex natural resource projects in the region, including the Australia Pacific LNG Project, North West Shelf LNG Project, PNG LNG Project and Lihir Gold Project. The Firm works closely with clients to develop appropriate financing structures in order to achieve a successful outcome, even in difficult market conditions. Our project financing practice draws on our experience with the extensive use of joint ventures and non-recourse debt in the development of Australia's extraordinary mineral resources for over the past 50 years. Our clients in Australia and New Zealand also benefit from the Firm's substantial projects and capital markets experience in other parts of the globe.
Global M&A Practice
The Firm's M&A lawyers regularly advise Australian and New Zealand companies and their financial advisers on the acquisition or disposition of assets in Australasia, the United States, Asia and elsewhere. S&C has served as a key player in a number of the largest cross-border transactions involving the United States, as well as on important demergers.
In addition, the Firm's Melbourne and Sydney-based team works closely with our teams in New York on regulatory investigations and litigation matters.
SELECTED REPRESENTATIONS
For over half a century, Sullivan & Cromwell has advised leading Australian and New Zealand enterprises in the finance, resource, telecommunications, consumer and other sectors on their most significant and challenging capital raisings, acquisitions and dispositions, both within and beyond the region. We also advise enterprises from around the world on transactions and projects that concern assets in and around Australia. Select highlights of our representations include:- APA Group, in its:
- US$1.4 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of guaranteed senior notes in 2015.
- US$850 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of guaranteed senior notes in 2017.
- US$1.4 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of guaranteed senior notes in 2015.
- Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, in:
- the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its US$30 billion covered bond program, US$25 billion medium term notes program and US$20 billion Section 3(a)(2) program.
- its A$2.5 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S rights offering of ordinary shares in 2015.
- the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its US$30 billion covered bond program, US$25 billion medium term notes program and US$20 billion Section 3(a)(2) program.
- Australia Pacific LNG Project, in its US$8.5 billion project financing and US$85 billion contract with China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation in 2012.
- The first unconventional gas-to-LNG project in the world and awarded “Asia-Pacific Oil and Gas Deal of the Year” by Project Finance International, “Best Project Finance Deal” by FinanceAsia and “Standout Energy Deal” by the Financial Times in its U.S. Innovative Lawyers Report.
- The first unconventional gas-to-LNG project in the world and awarded “Asia-Pacific Oil and Gas Deal of the Year” by Project Finance International, “Best Project Finance Deal” by FinanceAsia and “Standout Energy Deal” by the Financial Times in its U.S. Innovative Lawyers Report.
- Bank of New Zealand, in the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its US$100 billion medium term notes program, a sub-program of the National Australia Bank’s US$100 billion medium term notes program.
- BHP Billiton, in its:
- US$15.1 billion acquisition of the New York Stock Exchange-listed Petrohawk Energy in 2011.
- The largest ever U.S.-bound acquisition by an Australian company.
- The largest ever U.S.-bound acquisition by an Australian company.
- US$3 billion SEC-registered offering of guaranteed senior notes in 2011.
- US$5.25 billion SEC-registered offering of guaranteed senior notes in 2012.
- US$6.4 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of hybrid notes in 2015.
- The largest ever hybrid debt offering by a resource company and the second largest ever corporate hybrid debt offering by any issuer.
- The largest ever hybrid debt offering by a resource company and the second largest ever corporate hybrid debt offering by any issuer.
- US$15.1 billion acquisition of the New York Stock Exchange-listed Petrohawk Energy in 2011.
- BlueScope Steel Limited, in its:
- US$300 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured high-yield notes in 2013.
- US$500 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured high-yield notes in 2016.
- US$300 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured high-yield notes in 2013.
- Charter Hall Group, and certain of its subsidiaries, including:
- Charter Hall Retail REIT, in its A$90 million private institutional offering of ordinary shares in 2013, its offering of US$200 million of guaranteed senior unsecured notes in 2015 and its offering of US$125 million of guaranteed senior unsecured notes in 2016.
- Charter Hall Property Trust, in its A$225 million offering of stapled securities in 2015 and A$275 million of stapled securities in 2017.
- Long WALE Investment Partnership Trust, in its A$200 million offering of guaranteed senior secured notes in 2017.
- Charter Hall Prime Industrial Fund, in its offering of US$230 million and A$50 million of guaranteed senior unsecured notes in 2017.
- Core Logistics Partnership Trust, in its A$200 million offering of guaranteed senior secured notes in 2018.
- Charter Hall Retail REIT, in its A$90 million private institutional offering of ordinary shares in 2013, its offering of US$200 million of guaranteed senior unsecured notes in 2015 and its offering of US$125 million of guaranteed senior unsecured notes in 2016.
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia, in:
- the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its US$50 billion medium term notes program, US$30 billion covered bonds program, US$25 billion Section 3(a)(2) program, US$35 billion commercial paper program.
- its A$5.1 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S rights offering of ordinary shares in 2015.
- The second-largest rights offering by an Australian issuer in history.
- The second-largest rights offering by an Australian issuer in history.
- the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its US$50 billion medium term notes program, US$30 billion covered bonds program, US$25 billion Section 3(a)(2) program, US$35 billion commercial paper program.
- Fortescue Metals Group, in its:
- US$2 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured high-yield notes in 2012.
- Named the “Best International Bond Deal” by FinanceAsia.
- Named the “Best International Bond Deal” by FinanceAsia.
- US$5 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S senior secured credit facility in 2013.
- US$2.3 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior secured high-yield notes in 2015.
- US$1.5 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured high-yield notes in 2017.
- US$500 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured notes in 2018.
- US$2 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured high-yield notes in 2012.
- Goldman Sachs, in its:
- role as financial adviser to MMG Limited in connection with the US$5.85 billion acquisition of the Las Bambas copper project in Peru from Glencore Xstrata by an MMG-led consortium that included MMG, China Minmetals Guoxin, International Investment Corp and CITIC Metal Co in 2014.
- Named “Energy & Resources Deal of the Year” by Asian Legal Business and “Cross-Border Deal of the Year” by Latin Finance.
- Named “Energy & Resources Deal of the Year” by Asian Legal Business and “Cross-Border Deal of the Year” by Latin Finance.
- investment in convertible notes and options of the U.S.-based REVA Medical, Inc. in 2014 and 2017.
- role as financial adviser to MMG Limited in connection with the US$5.85 billion acquisition of the Las Bambas copper project in Peru from Glencore Xstrata by an MMG-led consortium that included MMG, China Minmetals Guoxin, International Investment Corp and CITIC Metal Co in 2014.
- The underwriters and dealer managers to Goodman Group, in:
- its US$600 million debut Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of guaranteed senior notes in 2016.
- its US$850 million and €500 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offerings of guaranteed senior notes in 2017.
- the repurchase of US$545 million of its Rule 144A/Reg. S guaranteed senior notes through modified Dutch auction tender offers and £129 million of its Reg. S notes through an any-and-all tender offer in 2017.
- its US$481.6 million Rule 144A/Reg. S exchange offering of guaranteed senior notes in 2017.
- its US$600 million debut Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of guaranteed senior notes in 2016.
- Incitec Pivot Limited, in its US$400 million U.S. syndicated facility and refinancing of its existing A$568 million and US$553 million Australian syndicated facility in 2015.
- Inghams Group Limited, in its A$596 million Rule 144A/Reg. S global IPO and listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2016.
- Macquarie Bank Limited, in the updates of and offerings off its US$20 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S medium term notes program.
- Macquarie Group Limited, in its updates and offerings off its US$10 billion medium term notes program.
- The underwriters to MYOB Group, in its A$833 million Rule 144A/Reg. S global IPO and listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2015.
- National Australia Bank Limited, in:
- the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its US$100 billion medium term notes program, US$30 billion covered bond program and US$25 billion Section 3(a)(2) program.
- the US$288 million SEC-registered IPO and New York Stock Exchange listing of its U.S. subsidiary Great Western Bancorp in 2014.
- its A$5.5 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S rights offering of ordinary shares in 2015.
- The largest rights issuance in Australian history.
- The largest rights issuance in Australian history.
- the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its US$100 billion medium term notes program, US$30 billion covered bond program and US$25 billion Section 3(a)(2) program.
- Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group, in its:
- Section 4(a)(2) private placement in each of 2012, 2013 and 2014.
- US$500 million debut Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior secured notes in 2017.
- Section 4(a)(2) private placement in each of 2012, 2013 and 2014.
- Orica Limited, in the U.S. aspects of the US$654 million sale of its chemical business to Blackstone in 2014.
- Orora Limited, in its US$250 million Section 4(a)(2) private placement of notes in 2015.
- PNG LNG Project, in its US$18 billion LNG project financing in 2009.
- One of the largest project financings in history, and named “Project Finance Deal of the Year” by Asian Legal Business Australasian Law Awards, “Asia Pacific Deal of the Year” by Project Finance International, “Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Deal of the Year” by Project Finance and “Oil & Gas Team of the Year” by Chambers USA Awards of Excellence.
- One of the largest project financings in history, and named “Project Finance Deal of the Year” by Asian Legal Business Australasian Law Awards, “Asia Pacific Deal of the Year” by Project Finance International, “Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Deal of the Year” by Project Finance and “Oil & Gas Team of the Year” by Chambers USA Awards of Excellence.
- Queensland Government and QR National, in the A$4.3 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S global IPO of QR National and listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2010.
- One of the largest IPOs in Australia’s history, and named the “Best IPO” by FinanceAsia, “Deal of the Year” by Asian Legal Business Australasian Law Awards and “IPO of the Year” by The Australian Financial Review.
- One of the largest IPOs in Australia’s history, and named the “Best IPO” by FinanceAsia, “Deal of the Year” by Asian Legal Business Australasian Law Awards and “IPO of the Year” by The Australian Financial Review.
- Queensland Treasury Corporation, in the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its SEC-registered and Rule 144A/Reg. S funding programs.
- QBE Insurance Group, in its US$399.9 million Section 4(a)(2)/Reg. S exchange offering of subordinated notes in 2016.
- Special Committee of NASDAQ-listed Shanda Games Limited, in its US$1.9 billion going-private transaction pursuant to Rule 13e-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in 2014-2015.
- Suncorp-Metway Limited, in the establishment of, subsequent updates of and offerings off its US$15 billion senior medium-term notes program.
- The underwriters to Sydney Airport Group, in its:
- US$500 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of guaranteed senior secured notes in 2015.
- US$900 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of guaranteed senior secured notes in 2016.
- US$500 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of guaranteed senior secured notes in 2015.
- Telstra Corporation Limited, in:
- the US$125 million SEC-registered IPO and New York Stock Exchange listing of its subsidiary SouFun Holdings Limited and concurrent sale of a portion of its equity stake in SouFun to Apax Partners and General Atlantic in 2010.
- an increase in its pre-IPO investment in Autohome Inc. pursuant to an exercise of its right of first refusal in 2012.
- the US$152.9 million SEC-registered IPO and New York Stock Exchange listing of Autohome Inc. in 2013, including devising Autohome’s corporate governance arrangements.
- the US$410 million SEC-registered follow-on offering of Autohome in 2014.
- U.S. aspects of the A$454 million sale of its 70% stake in Sensis to Platinum Equity in 2014.
- U.S. aspects of the US$697 million acquisition of Pacnet in 2015.
- its US$1 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured notes in 2015.
- the sale of its stakes in the New York Stock Exchange-listed Autohome to Ping An Insurance in 2016 and 2017 and related strategic and litigation matters.
- the US$125 million SEC-registered IPO and New York Stock Exchange listing of its subsidiary SouFun Holdings Limited and concurrent sale of a portion of its equity stake in SouFun to Apax Partners and General Atlantic in 2010.
- Woodside Petroleum Limited, in its:
- US$1 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured notes in 2015.
- US$800 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured notes in 2016.
- US$800 million Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured notes in 2017.
- US$1 billion Rule 144A/Reg. S offering of senior unsecured notes in 2015.