Competition Brisbane/ Melbourne 4-6+

Competition Associate or SA

4-6+ PQE

Melbourne or Brisbane

Top tier client

 

 

 

Overview:

Our Clients competition practice is a leader in the Australian market, with an enviable and expanding stable of loyal clients, roles in pre-eminent matters across all major Australian commercial centres, top rated partners, and a deep, and externally-recognised pool of first-class associates. 

Their increasing involvement in high profile cross-border matters is boosted by the broader office network.  The outstanding nature of our global practice was recently acknowledged by the Global Competition Review as one of the top 20 "Global Elite" competition practices. 


Recent work:


Recent matters include:

  • Advising a client in securing ACCC clearance of its acquisition of a life insurance businesses in Australia.

  • Advising a Consortium on the successful acquisition of 50.4% of New South Wales state-owned electricity network assets and the transfer of other assets through a 99 year lease including advising on and managing the interaction between the FIRB and ACCC merger clearance processes.

  • Advising an international client on securing merger clearance for the sale of its 32.4% interest in a coal mine to a compeetitor.

  • Advising a major international business regarding an ongoing cartel investigation by the ACCC.

  • Advising a mining client in cartel proceedings brought by the ACCC regarding collusive bidding for coal mining exploration rights.

  • Acting for an international bank in relation to a confidential investigation by an antitrust authority in the PRC.

  • Advising a client on its proposal for third party railway access under the Western Australian Railways Access Regime to operate trains on a competitors network.

  • Successfully defending an ASX20 client in responding to an ACCC investigation and prosecution in relation to its dealings with suppliers.

  • Advising on a Natural Gas Project joint venture in successfully obtaining ACCC authorisation to coordinate its maintenance and shutdown schedule with two major competing LNG producers.

  • Advising a Fintec Payments client in responding to an ACCC investigation into the terms of their contracts with small business merchants (resolved through a court-enforceable undertaking).

  • Representing two major Australian gas producers in the ACCC's market inquiry into competition in the east coast gas sector.

Representative clients:

Key clients include:

  • ASX 20 retailers

  • Global Payments companies

  • Global Mining companies

  • The Commonwealth Government

  • Global Electronics company

  • NBNco

  • Construction companies

  • Big 4 banks

  • Investment banks

  • FMCG's

  • Pharma businesses

 

Job overview:

 

The Competition team is looking for a lawyer with 4+ years' experience in Competition law, who is able to work as part of a team.  The role can be based in either Brisbane or Melbourne.

You will work for a diverse client base across a range of industries including, finance, infrastructure, technology, FMCG, energy & resources, and pharmaceuticals. The team is involved in the full range of Competition matters including, investigations and legal proceedings concerning unilateral conduct or cartels; merger clearances and transaction structuring, authorisations; infrastructure access issues and market inquiries.


Main tasks:

  • Advising clients;

  • Preparing merger submissions;

  • Preparing court documents, including pleadings and witness statements;

  • Compliance training;

  • Business development and networking activities


Description of Lawyer / SA Role:

  • You will already have acquired around 4 to 6+ years Competition experience.

  • You will take day to day responsibility for more straightforward matters and actively progress complex matters with partner, counsel and senior associate support.

  • You will be able to demonstrate well developed drafting skills.

  • You will be confident and effective in negotiations with counterparts.

  • You will be effective in communicating with clients in order to understand their needs and how best to meet them.

  • You will be effective in forming relationships with clients.

  • You will have excellent attention to detail.

Essential skills and experience:

  • At least 4 years Competition experience gained within private practice,

  • excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

  • superior drafting ability

  • a commercial approach

  • strong attention to detail with well-developed analytical skills

  • a willingness and an ability to work across a national Competition team on a wide variety of matters, and occasionally internationally

  • an interest in developing antitrust jurisdictions around Asia, particularly, and

  • a proactive, positive and energetic approach with a commitment to providing excellent service and, a desire to interact with the market and build client relationships

Chris Meharg