What Others Say

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Intellectual Property
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Media, IT and Telecoms

2011 Best Lawyers

Nineteen Gilbert + Tobin partners were named in the Best Lawyers Australia list 2011. The survey results derived from peer-to-peer interviews recognised 19 of Gilbert + Tobin’s partners as leaders in their field across 16 areas of law.

Five Gilbert + Tobin partners were also recognised as Best Lawyers’ 2011 Lawyers of the Year:

  • Garry Besson – Sydney Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year
  • Liza Carver – Sydney Regulatory Lawyer of the Year
  • Gina Cass-Gottlieb – Sydney Competition Lawyer of the Year
  • Gary Lawler – Sydney Corporate/Governance Lawyer of the Year
  • Peter Waters – Sydney Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year.

 

Banking and Finance Return to top of the page

From Chambers Global 2010:
‘This Sydney firm has a growing reputation for its banking and finance expertise, particularly in the fields of acquisition and asset finance. The recruitment of former Freehills partner John Schembri in 2008 has bolstered the team’s offering, with an increase in bank-side instructions.’

“Capable, excellent professionals who know their business.”

Capital Markets Return to top of the page

From Chambers Global 2010:
‘This equity capital markets team sits within the firm’s wider corporate transactions practice and provides expertise across IPOs, managed funds, secondary offerings, hybrid offerings and capital management strategies. The Sydney-based practice serves a diverse group of listed companies, financial institutions, underwriters and institutional investors. Recent highlights include a role on Westpac Banking’s AUD900 million hybrid offering.’

“Dedicated to the client, giving straightforward advice.”

“They have real expertise and a deep understanding of their clients.”

Corporate Advisory Return to top of the page

From Chambers Global 2010:
‘This Sydney-based firm has bolstered its market position with a string of high-profile transactions. Peers are impressed by the practice’s talented team and high-quality deals, in particular its work on the Westpac Banking and St. George merger.’

“They have real expertise and a deep understanding of the inner workings of their clients.”

From the 2010 edition of IFLR1000:
“Gilbert + Tobin remains a key player in the Australian M&A market.”

‘The commercial sensibilities of the firm’s partners are particularly well-regarded by clients: ‘Gary Lawler is probably one of the most seasoned and canny, practical M&A lawyers we’ve dealt with,’ says one client. ‘He just fills you with confidence and he’s as able working through the business issues as the legal ones.’ The team’s most impressive performance over the year was advising Westpac Banking on its merger with St. George Bank. The deal was the largest corporate merger done in Australia, creating the biggest financial services institution in the country.’

“In another notable role, the firm acted for AGL Energy Limited on its November 2008 disposal of its 22% stake in Queensland Gas, valued at more than A$1.2 billion ($960 million).”

From Asia Pacific Legal 500 2008/2009:
‘In a listing of leading corporate teams in Sydney, Gilbert + Tobin would be unquestionably top tier. The group, which offers ‘excellent, timely and reasonably priced advice’, acts for the likes of AGL Energy and Carlyle, and recently advised Publishing and Broadcasting on its demerger to split the A$13.7bn company into two separately listed operations. Gary Besson and Gary Lawler have fantastic reputations.’

Competition and Regulation Return to top of the page

Gilbert + Tobin is consistently ranked in the top tier for competition law by Chambers Asia Pacific and Asia Pacific Legal 500.

From Chambers Global 2011:
This group is one of Australia’s premier competition practices, with a sizeable team and a track record of high-profile successes. The team advises clients from a broad range of sectors, including energy, telecoms, retail and banking, providing both contentious and non-contentious services. The roster includes such names as Google, Woolworths, Betfair, Cement Australia and Westpac Banking.

“Very focused, nimble and lateral thinkers. The strengths are the quality of the people, and the low partner-lawyer ratio – so you get very personal service.”

From Asia Pacific Legal 500 2011/2012:
Gilbert + Tobin’s competition team has ‘deep strength at all levels’ and continues to provide merger clearance advice of the ‘highest quality’. 2010 saw the group advise five large Japanese steelmakers on the proposed joint venture between Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, and advise Telstra on negotiations with the ACCC regarding the NBN project. Luke Woodward is in a ‘league of his own’, and Gina Cass-Gottlieb is an ‘outstanding competition lawyer’ who ‘quickly grasps the nuances of the key issues’.

Dispute Resolution Return to top of the page

From Chambers Global 2011:
This national firm covers all key disputes areas, including insolvency, regulatory actions, and disputes concerning joint ventures, property, financing and employment. Its expert team serves notable clients including Google, Warner Bros., AGL Energy, and one of Australia’s main banks.

“A fantastic, well-organised firm that looks after its clients and is particularly good at getting the best outcomes.”

“They are very quick to respond to any queries and give very good advice.”

From Asia Pacific Legal 500 2011/2012:
Gilbert + Tobin’s absorption of Blakiston & Crabb brought some well-regarded practitioners to the firm. Blakiston & Crabb’s former head of dispute resolution Mark Gerus is recommended for his ‘breadth and depth of knowledge’, and new partner Tim O’Leary is ‘extremely professional and efficient’. The team is defending Google in an action brought by the ACCC regarding its sponsored links AdWords system.

Energy and Resources Return to top of the page

From Chambers Asia Pacific 2011:
‘[Blakiston & Crabb] recently formed an alliance with Gilbert + Tobin; market authorities agree that this will provide it with greater access to Australia’s Eastern markets and further increase its depth of resources and capabilities. The fast-developing practice also has established affiliation with one of the largest firms in China, King & Wood. It works with clients involved in oil and gas, mineral and metals mining and the timber industry.’

From Chambers Global 2010:
‘This firm has a strong presence in gas and electricity matters, and is particularly well regarded for its advice on regulatory matters. The ten-partner team acts for a large range of users, including utilities companies, international banks, and natural resources companies.’

“A very strong practice well led by a team of uniquely able partners.”

From Asia Pacific Legal 500 2008/2009:
‘Gilbert + Tobin’s stellar reputation for M&A and regulatory work stands the firm in good stead in the energy sector, where it is considered ‘just fantastic’ and doing a ‘brilliant job’. The group recently advised the NSW Government on the potential long-term lease of its generation assets, as well as the A$15bn sale of its retail assets, and acted for Colonial First State on a consortium bid with Australian Pipeline Trust for the acquisition of the A$1.75bn Basslink transmission line. Liza Carver is a ‘formidable player who has the ability to really deliver’.’

Intellectual Property Return to top of the page

Our Intellectual Property team is consistently ranked as a top tier practice by Chambers Asia Pacific and Asia Pacific Legal 500.

From Chambers Global 2011:
This firm advises on all aspects of IP protection, enforcement and recovery, with expertise in copyright, trade marks, brand/advertising and patents. Despite the departure of Anthony Muratore, the firm continues to grow stronger in the trade mark and copyright area, and has recently acted on a number of complex matters. It is currently representing the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia in litigation concerning the setting of rates for the use and public performance of certain sound recordings.

“The firm displays expertise and commitment.” “They have excellent litigators.”

From Asia Pacific Legal 500 2011/2012:
Gilbert + Tobin has branched out from its traditional strength acting for media and entertainment clients, and now acts for clients from a much broader sector base. It is defending Energizer in its Australia Schick razor brand advertising in the Federal Court; and advising Red Bull generally on domain name recovery and enforcement activities against counterfeit goods. Samsung is another client. Michael Williams, Siabon Seet and Lisa Lennon are recommended.

From Managing Intellectual Property 2011:
“Gilbert + Tobin’s IP team is consistently engaged in the nation’s most newsworthy cases.”

Real Estate and Projects Return to top of the page

From Asia Pacific Legal 500 2008/2009:
‘Diane Skapinker and Christine Burke joined Gilbert + Tobin from Minter Ellison this year. Skapinker and Burke bring expertise in complex structured property developments and infrastructure projects to the team. Group head Amanda Hempel acted for Carlyle on the acquisition of the Coates and National Hire businesses, and continues to advise on subsequent disposals. Clients appreciate the firm’s ‘extremely high level of prompt service’.’

From Chambers Global 2008:
‘While this expanding team covers various areas of taxation, its particular strength lies in private equity … Lawyers have an impressive collection of niche tax expertise between them, covering a full range of direct and indirect taxation.’

Tax Return to top of the page

From Chambers Global 2008:
‘Lawyers have an impressive collection of niche tax expertise between them, covering a full range of direct and indirect taxation.’

Media, IT and Telecoms Return to top of the page

Gilbert + Tobin is consistently ranked in the top tier for telecommunications and information technology law by Chambers Asia Pacific, PLC Which Lawyer and Asia Pacific Legal 500.

From Chambers Asia Pacific 2011:
Gilbert + Tobin has had a strong year, benefiting from significant new hires. The team retains prominent clients and is well reputed for its ability to tackle difficult matters. The firm draws on strong international connections, and has completed projects in Europe, the USA, China and many other locations. It is advising Telstra on a range of commercial arrangements to support its offering of cloud services to customers. Other clients include Google, FOXTEL and Universal. Sources say: “They provided fantastic 24/7 support.” “They helped me out with pro bono work.”

From Asia Pacific Legal 500 2011/2012:
‘Tech specialist’ Gilbert + Tobin is a ‘long-time market leader’, and has a substantial client base of blue-chip companies and government departments.:

From Asia Pacific Legal 500 2010/2011:
Gilbert + Tobin is ‘easily the best TMT firm in Australia in terms of legal work and the most innovative on fees and client service too’.