Biography

    Rachael is a partner in Gilbert + Tobin's Corporate Advisory group.

    Rachael specialises in mergers and acquisitions, equity capital market transactions and advising on securities law and listing rule matters. Rachael works closely with private equity sponsors at every stage of their investments including private acquisitions, partnering with founders, public to privates (by way of scheme or takeover), bolt-on acquisitions and exits including managing auction processes and IPOs.

    Rachael has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry and is regularly ranked as a leading private equity, equity capital markets and M&A lawyer in Australia. 

    Rachael's experience includes working at another top tier Australian law firm. Rachael has university qualifications in commerce and law from the University of New South Wales.

    Rachael's experience includes advising:

    • BB Retail Capital on its off-market takeover and privatisation of Best & Less.
    • Five V Capital on the acquisition of Permaconn.
    • L Catterton on the sale of Seafolly.
    • Quadrant Growth on its investment in Cevo, Arinco and D6 consulting.
    • TPG and Greencross on the partial selldown by existing shareholders to Australian Super and HOOPP.
    • Quadrant Growth on the sale of Arq to Singtel’s NCS and the sale of Modibodi to Essity.
    • Five V Capital on its acquisition of Mantel.
    • Quadrant and Five V Capital on the sale of Probe CX to KKR & Co.
    • Afterpay on the acquisition of Afterpay by Square, Inc. a NYSE-listed company operating in the payments space, by way of an all-scrip scheme of arrangement. The transaction values Afterpay at $39 billion and is the largest public M&A deal in Australia’s history and the largest cross border fintech deal globally.
    • Probe Group (backed by Quadrant Private Equity and Five V Capital) on the acquisitions of Stellar BPO and Microsourcing, to create Australia’s largest locally-owned outsourcing services business.
    • Five V Capital on the investment by Pinnacle in Five V.
    • Quadrant Private Equity on the demerger of the sport business from Quadrant backed QMS Media and the sale of a strategic stake to Bruin Sports Capital.
    • Five V Capital on the acquisitions of Annex Foods, Table of Plenty and Metro Foods.
    • Isentia on its scheme of arrangement with UK-based technology and software company Access Intelligence.
    • Peter Warren Automotive Group on its initial public offering and listing on the ASX as well as its subsequent acquisitions of various dealerships.
    • Adore Beauty on its IPO and ASX listing.
    • Universal Store on its IPO and ASX listing as well its subsequent acquisition of Cheap Thrills.
    • Quadrant Private Equity on the acquisition of Total Drains Group, a provider of sewer and stormwater maintenance and recycling services and bolt on acquisition of Bartlett’s Environmental.
    • L Cattertonon the sale of RM Williams to Andrew Forrest’s private investment group Tattarang.
    • QuadPay Inc and its shareholders on the acquisition of US buy-now pay-later company QuadPay, by Zip Co.
    • Quadrant Private Equity on its acquisition of ASX-listed digital signage and sports advertising company QMS Media by scheme of arrangement.
    • Quadrant Growth on its acquisition of Arq Enterprise's Enterprise Services Division.
    • TPG Capital on its $1 billion acquisition of ASX-listed pets and vets group Greencross Limited by scheme of arrangement and subsequent bolt-on acquisition of the country's largest veterinary specialist and emergency pet care group, Animal Referral Hospital.
    • Konekt on its acquisition by Advanced Personnel Management by scheme of arrangement.
    • Quadrant Private Equity on its acquisitions of a series of healthy snacking businesses (through its portfolio company RiteBite Group which owns Darrell Lea).
    • Quadrant Growth on its acquisitions of a majority stake in Love to Dream; a majority stake in Modibodi; and a majority stake in online beauty retailer, Adore Beauty.

    Rachael is ranked for Private Equity, Capital Markets: Equity and Corporate / M&A.

    Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024

    Best Lawyers 2024 names Rachael as ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for Private Equity Law.

    BEST LAWYERS AUSTRALIA 2024

    Rachael won Dealmaker of the Year

    LAWYERS WEEKLY LAW AWARDS 2023

    Rachael is recognised in the areas of Commercial, Corporate, Equity Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Law.

    Best Lawyers Australia 2023

    Women Leader Award

    IFLR1000 2022

    Rachael was named 'Lawyer of the Year' for Private Equity Law. 

    Best Lawyers Australia 2020

    Rachael won Dealmaker of the Year

    Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2019

    Rachael won Partner of the Year - M&A. 

    Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards 2019