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Greg Smith

Special Counsel
Baker & McKenzie

Biography

Greg Smith is a special counsel in Sydney. He has over 11 years of experience as a corporate lawyer focusing on M&A (private and public) and joint ventures.

Greg commenced his career in New York and most recently worked for six years in London before returning back to Sydney at the beginning of 2021. He has worked on transactions with individual deal values up to USD 18 billion.

Greg is admitted as an Attorney-at-Law in New York and as a solicitor in England & Wales in addition to Australia.

Practice Focus

Greg acts on a wide range of corporate transactions, including acquisitions, divestments, takeovers / schemes of arrangement, subscriptions, joint ventures (corporate and contractual) and carve-out transactions. Greg advises clients across a broad range of sectors with particular experience in mining, energy / renewables, infrastructure and property. He has deep experience on complex cross-border transactions.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Advised CDPQ on its investment in Sydney Transport Partners in connection with its acquisition of the remaining shares in WestConnex (AUD 11.1 billion).

  • Advised GISI on its acquisition of Palladium Holdings by way of scheme of arrangement (USD 280 million).

  • Advised Clarus (listed on the NASDAQ) on its acquisition of Rhino-Rack (AUD 225 million).

  • Advised AURELIUS on the acquisition of Minova in a global carve-out transaction from ASX-listed Orica (AUD180 million).

  • Advised Yum! Brands (listed on NYSE) on its acquisition of ASX-listed Dragontail Systems by way of scheme of arrangement (AUD 93.5 million).

  • Advised InCorp Global (a TA Associates investee company) on its acquisition of CharterNet.

  • Advised Randgold Resources (listed on LSE) on its combination with Barrick Gold Corporation (listed on NYSE) by way of scheme of arrangement (USD 18.3 billion).*

  • Advised Carlsberg on its joint venture with Marston's plc (GBP 780 million).*

  • Advised BP on the combination of its Norwegian subsidiary BP Norge’s business with Det norske Oljeselskap ASA to create Aker BP.*

  • Advised GeoPark Limited in its successful acquisition of Amerisur Resources PLC by way of scheme of arrangement in a regulated auction (GBP 242 million).*

  • Advised Randgold Resources Ltd. on its proposed joint venture with AngloGold Ashanti Limited in respect of the Obuasi Mine in Ghana.*

*previous firm experience.

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Law Society of New South Wales - Member

Admissions

  • England & Wales (2020)
  • High Court of Australia (2011)
  • High Court of New Zealand (2011)
  • New York~United States (2010)
  • South Australia~Australia (2009)

Education

  • University of Adelaide (LLB with honours)
  • University of Adelaide (Honours Bachelor of International Studies (First Class))
  • Law Society of South Australia (GDLP)

Languages

  • English
  • German
  • Spanish
  • Chinese

Co-author, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do - Lessons from Perpetual's Bid for Pendal," Baker McKenzie InsightPlus, 24 November 2022