Pinsent Masons hires corporate partner in Melbourne

Joining from DLA Piper, where he led the firm’s China practice in Australia, Andrew specialises in cross-border M&A with a focus on advising clients from East Asia on their strategic investments into Australia, and Australian clients on transactions involving Asian counterparties. This includes cross-border M&A, joint ventures, regulated takeovers and equity capital market transactions as well as corporate advisory services more generally. 

Head of Pinsent Masons Australia, Matthew Croagh, said: “We’re again seeing increasing interest from Chinese entities looking to invest in Australia and Asia Pacific more widely, including in renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Andrew’s history advising on high-profile cross-border transactions means he is ideally placed to advise Chinese enterprises on their flagship outbound investment projects across the region.”

Alongside growing the Pinsent Masons’ corporate capabilities in Australia, Andrew will expand the firm’s outbound China practice advising clients across China and the wider Asia Pacific region. A dual-Australia and Hong Kong qualified lawyer, Andrew is fluent in Mandarin and English. He advises clients across multiple sectors including energy, infrastructure, property, agriculture and technology. 

Andrew said of his appointment: “There are significant investment opportunities in Australia, and we are seeing increasing interest from entities across Asia Pacific including China and Korea as they seek to position themselves to best compete in developing industries such as battery technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Australia is an ideal location for these investments. But they are not without their challenges and complexities which are underscored by shifting regulatory landscapes, the impact of geopolitical events and the drive to net zero. Pinsent Masons provides an ideal platform for clients looking to invest in these rapidly developing areas, leveraging market leading experience from its global network to facilitate these deals. I am delighted to have joined the team at Pinsent Masons to continue to support clients in facilitating these important transactions.”

Consultant Gang Yun and senior associate Karena Huang also join the firm from DLA Piper. Gang is a strategic business advisor who specialises in liaising with the Chinese Government and its major commissions and enterprises. Throughout her career, Gang has advised some of the world’s leading businesses in relation to their operations in China. 

Pinsent Masons is rapidly growing its corporate practice in Australia. In October 2022, the firm announced the hire of corporate partner Joni Henry from PwC in Sydney who has a particular focus on the energy, technology, and science and industry sectors.