Simon is a corporate lawyer with particular expertise in the infrastructure, utilities and real asset sectors.
He advises owners, operators and investors on a wide variety of complex strategic transactions, including public and private M&A, privatisations, equity investment, joint ventures, and funds management.
Simon’s commercial approach and strategic outlook help clients achieve successful outcomes in complex and time-critical matters. They also result in him providing ongoing strategic advice to several financial investors.
Simon has authored a variety of opinion pieces on funds management and corporate law reform, and he lectures on securities regulation at the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Business School.
Advised the NSW Electricity Networks consortium on its $10.258 billion acquisition of the TransGrid high voltage electricity transmission network from the New South Wales Government.
Advised AIMCo on its investment in several forestry assets, including Great Southern Plantations.
Advised on the sale of the freehold estate underpinning the largest almond plantation in the Southern Hemisphere.
Advised Australian Utilities Trust Consortium on it's $1.026 billion acquisition of 33.5% of ElectraNet from YTL Power.
Advised sponsors on the funding and acquisition of solar farms (Hughenden, Darling Downs, Swan Hill, Brigalow, Chinchilla, Williamsdale and Mt Majura) and wind farms (Bald Hills, Canunda, Willogoleche, and Mumbida).
Advised a bidder on the privatisation of the Port of Newcastle by the New South Wales Government.
Advised a bidder on the fund’s sale of its portfolio of social infrastructure assets.
Advised Xerox on its Eloque joint venture with VicTrack regarding bridge maintenance technology
Advised Amcor on its merger with Bemis, and associated restructure, to create a US$17 billion packaging leader.
Advised Toll Group on its $6.5 billion scheme of arrangement for acquisition by Japan Post.
Advised AIX on the $2 billion disposal of its airport portfolio to Future Fund and associated restructure to facilitate the sale.
Advised the owner of Australian video game developer Tantalus Media, on the sale of an 85% interest in Tantalus to Keywords Studios for a total consideration (comprising cash and scrip) of up to US$46.8m.
Advised Veritas Capital on the Australian aspects of its US$3 billion take-private of Cubic Corporation.
Advised the $6.3 billion UTA on its manager replacement process – the largest infrastructure portfolio to undergo a change of manager in Australian history.
Advised on the structuring and establishment of wholesale funds to facilitate investment in renewable energy and social infrastructure.
Advised on the structuring and establishment of wholesale funds to facilitate investment in solar electricity generation facilities.
Advised VicSuper on asset and fund investments in several real asset classes.
Advised on regulatory, licensing and contractual matters relevant to its listed infrastructure investment business.
Advising investors and fund managers on a variety of institutional fundraisings for investment in the renewable energy sector.
Australia’s new offshore electricity infrastructure legislative framework goes live on 2 June 2022. Regulations are close to being finalised and Victoria is the first state to announce a large...
In the biggest shake-up of Australia’s antiquated company signing requirements, the Federal Government has temporarily modified the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to allow for companies to...
With mounting pressure from the regulator and the burden of administrative costs, super funds are making the decision to merge more often than before; at least 28 have taken the step since 2014.