2 December 2011
Allen & Overy has expanded its Australian practice to cover litigation and regulatory investigations expertise with the appointment of senior Australian litigation lawyer, John Samaha, to the partnership.
With the continued success of the corporate and finance practices in Australia, this appointment will enable Allen & Overy to provide integrated local and global litigation and regulatory support to its clients.
John has extensive experience in complex and strategically significant litigation and regulatory work. He has acted for leading corporations and financial institutions in Australia, including many sector leaders. John was previously a senior litigation partner at another leading Australian firm, where he worked for 20 years.
The Legal 500 review of Australian dispute resolution lawyers just released reports that John is ‘a consummate professional, highly knowledgeable and commercially minded’.
Tim House, Global Head of Litigation at Allen & Overy, welcomes the appointment: “John’s arrival is a further boost to our litigation capability across the Asia Pacific region and fits hand-in-glove with our growth plans for Allen & Overy’s global litigation practice. It also represents a unique opportunity for leading Australian litigation solicitors who see the advantages of a career in our growing network.”
Grant Fuzi, Managing Partner of Allen & Overy in Australia, says of the appointment: “John is a recognised leader in his field. Now that Allen & Overy is well established in Australia, we are pleased to offer our clients litigation and regulatory skills and expertise under John’s leadership.”
John’s appointment brings our Australian partner tally to 23, with the support of over 160 staff. This outstanding growth has been fuelled by positive client response to our focus on leveraging our global and domestic expertise.”
Over the last 12 months, Allen & Overy has completed transactions with an approximate total value of over AUD40 billion. Recent major transactions have included advising:
SABMiller on its proposed AUD12 billion takeover of Foster’s Group by scheme of arrangement
Fortescue Metals Group on a USD2.04 billion syndicated loan facility and a 144A unsecured bond offering and on a USD1.5 billion 144A unsecured bond offering (CFO Dealbook Corporate Bond Issue of the Year 2011)
Equinox on the AUD7.1 billion Barrick Gold offer
Liberty Media on the proposed AUD1.9 billion acquisition of Austar by FOXTEL
BT Investment Management Limited’s AUD275 million entitlement offer to fund its acquisition of UK based fund manager, JO Hambro Capital Management
