Following strong activity throughout 2018, including a number of mega-deals in the M&A space, Herbert Smith Freehills’ mergers and acquisitions expertise has been recognised across the board at the annual 2019 Australasian Law Awards. 

The prestigious awards were presented at a gala event attended by the who’s who of the legal industry in Sydney on 23 May. They recognise the leading law firms, in-house counsel and legal practitioners in a range of categories.

Herbert Smith Freehills’ Corporate M&A Partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage was the recipient of the highly sought-after Dealmaker of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, and the firm’s M&A Team won Australian Deal Team of the Year.

Herbert Smith Freehills also won five other awards on the night:

• M&A Deal of Year – Coles demerger from Wesfarmers;
• Energy and Resources Deal of the Year – Santos acquisition of Quadrant;
• Property, Infrastructure and Projects Deal of the Year – Hunter Class Frigate and ASC Shipbuilding restructure; and
• International Deal of the Year - Sale of BHP’s US oil and gas assets.

The M&A Deal of Year – Coles demerger from Wesfarmers then went on to win the coveted Australian Deal of the Year accolade.

Andrew Pike, Herbert Smith Freehills’ Executive Partner for Australia, said: “Our clients entrust us with their most important deals and matters and give us the opportunity to work alongside the best in-house talent in the country.”

“Of course, working with the best means we need to hire the best, and this recognition is a reflection of the expertise and client focus of our people.”