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Michael Parshall

Partner

Email

michael.parshall@aoshearman.com

Phone

+612 9373 7738

Offices

Sydney

V-CARD
Michael is one of Australia's leading corporate lawyers with more than 20 years' experience in public and private M&A, capital raising, foreign investment and corporate advisory and governance matters.  

He is widely recognised for his skill in developing deal structures, is rated in all leading directories and has strong relations with all key regulators.  He works across a range of sectors for significant listed and unlisted clients and private equity and private capital financial sponsors. 

Michael has been a pioneer of a number of firsts in M&A transactions including: the first (legal) pre-bid through 20% takeover threshold (rules since changed) (Brookfield-Multiplex); the first listed structure to adopt see-through voting (Canwest-Ten); the first design of scheme proxy to crash through "takeover-proof" constitution (Advance-St George); the first Australian cross-jurisdictional equity swap (Liberty Media in relation to the News Corp reincorporation, leading to the News Corp rights plan being invoked); the first (and second) corporatisation of a listed stapled security via schemes of arrangement (MMG and Asciano); the first three (out of only four in the Australian market) cut-off reinsurance schemes of arrangement.

 


Experience

Representative matters

Clydesdale Bank on its AUD 5.5 billion demerger from NAB, its listing on the ASX and LSE and the associated IPO by NAB. 

EG Group on its proposed circa AUD10bn acquisition of ASX listed Caltex its AUD1.72 billion acquisition of Woolworths fuel and convenience business and proposed acquisition of ASX listed Oliver’s Real Foods by scheme of arrangement and on. 

A major global financial sponsor in relation to its acquisition of a 50% interest in Thiess with enterprise value of AUD4.2 billion, Thiess' AUD370 million takeover of ASX listed MACA, and dual track sale of Australian renewables business Elliott Green Power to Igneo. 

Insignia Financial (formerly IOOF) on its AUD1.44 billion acquisition of the MLC Group from National Australia Bank, its AUD1.04billion entitlement offer and placement to fund its acquisition of MLC and divestment of Millenium 3 and GPG adviser businesses. 

Pro bono

Advising indigenous Karrkad-Kanji Trust on a range of issues relating to supporting the Traditional Owners of a number of Indigenous Protected Areas in Arnhem Land.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

Law Society of New South Wales 

Foreign Investment Committee, Law Council

Corporations Committee, Law Council of Australia 

ASIC, Corporate Finance Liaison Committee
 

Recognition
“is the rare true “brainiac” lawyer who also has the energy and commitment to spearhead M&A deals of the highest intensity.”
Legal; 500, 2024
“Michael Parshall is one of the leading M&A lawyers in Australia.”
Chambers Corporate/M&A 2024

Awards

  • Michael was recognised as Lawyer of the Year in Corporate Law, Sydney by Best Lawyers Australia, 2020 edition.

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2010

Admitted as a solicitor, New South Wales, Australia, 1989

Academic

Master of Laws, The University of Sydney, 1993

Bachelor of Laws, The University of New South Wales, 1989

Bachelor of Commerce, The University of New South Wales, 1989

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.