Expertise

At GRT Lawyers, we understand the complexities of corporate law and dispute resolution, and the significant impact they can have on your business. Our dedicated team offers bespoke legal services, drawing upon a wealth of experience to strategically navigate intricate legal frameworks and potentially contentious situations.

Whether you’re dealing with mergers, acquisitions, capital markets, or navigating through a dispute, we provide insightful guidance and robust representation tailored to your unique circumstances. We strive to protect your interests and position your business for continued success, even amidst the most challenging legal landscapes.

Corporate

We deliver innovative and strategic legal solutions that drive success, safeguarding your corporation’s interests while navigating complex corporate law.

Global Focus

We work with law firms around the world on behalf of organisations seeking to grow their business across boarders.

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Global Focus

At GRT Lawyers, we work with law firms around the world on behalf of organisations seeking to grow the business across borders.

Our globally focussed professional advisory team creates a strong international network to deliver important and valuable outcomes for our clients. Working with GRT gives you access to our unique insights and wealth of global knowledge and experience. We offer the highest quality service across all market verticals.

The GRT approach is simple: we invest in our clients, grow their business, and protect their assets.

Corporate Advisory

We support your business journey - from IPOs and acquisitions to organic growth and divestments.

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Corporate Advisory

We excel in complex transactions.

If an Initial Public Offering (IPO) is on your corporate horizon, engage GRT to ensure you do everything that is required commercially and legally to achieve the most successful IPO outcome.

With expertise across the entire spectrum of structures and decision making, GRT is here to assist you when it matters. The knowledge and expertise of our Corporate Advisory Team gives us the unique ability to handle the most complex corporate matters and transactions.

We help clients assess strategic options to:

  • grow by acquisition;
  • defuse large disputes;
  • fund organic growth; and
  • strengthen balance sheets through divestment.

GRT is focused on excellence and the delivery of the highest quality of professional services.

Transactions

Our global experience, together with our highly qualified team, enables us to deliver the highest quality Corporate Advisory Services. We create tangible value for all our sophisticated listed and unlisted clients. Some of the recent transactions our team members have managed and advised on include:

  • Legal advisor to Packform on its pre-IPO funding of US$12,437,500.
  • Legal advisor to SendFX Limited on its pre-IPO raise of $6.5 million.
  • Felix Gold Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
  • Duke Exploration Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
  • Apiam Animal Health Limited on its acquisition of 12 businesses and A$40 million IPO and ASX listing to form a vertically integrated animal health business with an initial market capitalisation of circa A$100 million
  • Canopy Tools / CT4 – A$21 million pre-IPO convertible note and sell down to institutional investors
  • Cerro Resources on its Canadian TSX-V listing
  • Coppermoly Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
  • Macarthur Coal/MCG Group advised MCG Group on its A$360 million debt funding of MDL 162
  • RightCrowd Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
  • Santana Minerals Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
  • Polymetals Mining Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
  • P2P Transport Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
  • Soon Mining Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing

Capital Markets

GRT expertly guides your capital raising endeavours with expert capital markets knowledge.

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Capital Markets

Capital markets can play an important role in driving the value of your business. GRT guides our clients through transactions from the simplest to the most complex. The goal is to complete the capital raising (equity or debt) efficiently and successfully.

Balancing your capital needs with shareholder and market expectations against a backdrop of disclosure obligations and pricing tensions can be complex. Our team has the experience to effectively structure your capital raising and smoothly guide you through the process to deliver a successful and efficient raising.

Whether it be an IPO, placement, rights issue (traditional or non-traditional) or any other equity or debt raising, GRT is your business partner in such important capital raising transactions.

Secondary Capital Raising

We provide strategic legal advice for IPOs and secondary listings, facilitating your seamless entry into the public markets.

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Secondary Capital Raisings

Our stake our reputation on advising local and global companies on their successful IPO or secondary listings. We are experienced with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX), Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX), London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM), Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), Botswana Stock Exchange (BSX) and National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX).

Transactions

We have worked with national and international companies to successfully formulate, execute, and advise on secondary debt and equity raising strategies including:

  • Legal advisor to ASX Listed: Hawsons on its A$5 million institutional placement in November 2022 and a combined A$8.8 million institutional placement and share purchase plan in February 2023
  • Legal adviser to ASX Listed: Far East Gold Ltd on its A$4.4 million Share Purchase Plan in December 2022 and a A$2.1 million institutional placement in November 2022
  • Legal advisor to ASX Listed: Sayona Mining Limited on its C$50 million (A$54.9 million) capital raise through Flow-Through Shares in March 2023
  • A$100 million placement and A$25.5 million rights issue for Sayona Mining Limited ASX:SYA
  • A$50 million placement to institutional and professional investors for Sayona Mining Limited ASX:SYA
  • A$5 million share purchase plan for Sayona Mining Limited ASX:SYA
  • A$35.6 million fully underwritten non-renounceable rights issue, placement and conditional placement, for Carpentaria Resources ASX:CAP
  • A$8 million placement for Duke Exploration to domestic and international investors
  • A$3 million share purchase plan for Duke Exploration
  • A$50 million placement for Alpha HPA to institutional and sophisticated investors
  • A$6 million placement to institutional investors for Apiam
  • A$1.5 million share purchase plan for Black Oak Minerals Limited
  • A$2.57 million fully underwritten rights issue for Sayona Mining Limited ASX/SYA
  • A$7.1 million underwritten placement and accelerated rights issue for Sayona Mining Limited ASX/SYA
  • A$7.3 million capital raising for Chesser Resources Limited ASX/CHZ, comprising A$2.46 million placement (oversubscribed) and A$4.84 million underwritten, pro-rata renounceable entitlement offer
  • A$19 million project debt financing for Armour Energy Limited ASX:AJQ
  • A$30 million capital raising for Tritium on its European and United States expansion
  • A$50 million investment in Vitrinite Pty Ltd by a US-based investor
  • A$50 million underwritten institutional secondary capital raising for Discovery Metals Limited Rights ASX/DML, by way of an institutional bookbuild
  • A$62 million raising for Black Oak Minerals Limited, comprising A$25 million forward gold purchase agreement, A$35 million credit facility and A$2 million equity investment (involving convertible warrants)
  • A$142 million Issue and placement raising across 13 jurisdictions for Discovery Metals Limited Rights ASX/DML
  • US$159 million successful debt re-profiling for Discovery Metals Limited Rights ASX/DML
  • US$205 million Debt project financing for Discovery Metals Limited Rights ASX/DML, including the negotiation and execution of complex copper and silver hedge agreements
  • Avalon Minerals Limited on its non-renounceable, pro-rata underwritten rights issue
  • MinQuest Limited placement to exempt investors and convertible note issue

Mergers and Acquisitions

Our highly experienced team optimises shareholder value in mergers, acquisitions, and / or divestments through strategic decision-making support.

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Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions can realise a significant amount of shareholder value. The key is to ensure they are properly structured and implemented. Our highly experienced team enables clients to make the right decisions before, during and after any merger, acquisition, and / or divestment.

Transactions

We advise on complex mergers and acquisitions for sophisticated national and international listed and unlisted companies across all sectors, especially in resources and technology.

We have significant expertise in deal structuring and execution. We typically project manage, take responsibility for timetable management, organise and oversee the different transaction stages to ensure the objectives of our clients are achieved.

Examples of our deals include:

  • ACD on its sale to Diversitech
  • AHG on its takeover by AMA Group
  • Apiam Animal Health Limited ASX:AHX on its acquisition of 12 businesses and A$40 million IPO to form a vertically integrated animal health business with an initial market capitalisation of circa A$98.5 million
  • Black Oak Minerals BOK on its acquisition of the Manuku Silver Mine in NSW
  • Carpentaria ASX:CAP on its completion of Sale and Purchase Agreement to increase holding in Hawsons Iron Project to 94%
  • Cedarfield Holdings Pty Ltd on its 90% takeover of winery business Swings and Roundabouts Limited for circa A$2.7 million
  • CMR Coal regarding listed ASF Group Limited’s investment into CMR
  • Cerro Resources Limited:
    • Scheme of arrangement with Canadian based Primero Mining Corporation (listed on TSX and NYSE)
    • Merger with San Anton Resources Corporation for A$50 million
  • DateTix Group Limited ASX:DTX on its back-door listing into Enverro Limited (formerly ASX:ERR) resulting in a change to the scale and nature of activities from a software and services business to a mobile location based social platform
  • Discovery Metals Limited ASX:DML on its response to a proposed A$830 million hostile bid by Cathay Fortune Corporation and China-Africa Development Fund
  • Enverro on its A$5 million acquisition of DateTix and recompliance listing
  • Himstedt Family on the acquisition of the Ginger Division of the iconic Australian business, Buderim Group Limited (ASX:BUG) A$13 million
  • Huddy’s Plant Hire on its sale to Industrea Limited for A$250 million
  • Laneway Resources Limited ASX:LNY on its farm-in and joint venture with Newcrest Mining to develop its gold project in New Zealand
  • Marubeni Coal Pty Ltd on its proposal to align its interest with Xstrata and separate acquisition of a A$300 million interest in Jellinbah Resources
  • MCG Group on its successful bid and A$285 million acquisition of MDL 162 (a major coal asset) from the Queensland Government’s Stanwell Corporation Limited, including facilitation of strategic funding and FIRB approval advice
  • Meijin Energy Group Limited on its proposed takeover of DMC Mining Limited ASX:DMM
  • Meridan Minerals Limited ASX:MMI:
    • Reverse takeover of Bellevue Resources Limited, and the acquisition of its major plant (from Ireland) required for the Lennard Shelf Project
    • Aggregation of its original asset portfolio and equity placements to Chinese State-owned entity, Northwest Nonferrous International Investment Co Limited
    • Scheme of Arrangement with major shareholder
  • MinQuest Limited ASX:MNQ on its earn in and acquisition of several copper / gold projects in Canada and Australia
  • National Optical Care on its acquisition of an initial portfolio of 14 optometry practices
  • Omni Market Tide Limited ASX:OMT on its back-door listing of real time shareholder engagement technology business into SWW Energy Limited (ASX:SWW)
  • P2P Transport Limited ASX:P2P on its acquisition of Black and White Holdings Limited
  • Polymetals Mining Limited on its A$30 million merger with Southern Cross Goldfields Limited (formerly ASX:SXG) via a scheme of arrangement
  • Private Client acting in the sale of timber milling business
  • Private Equity Fund on its acquisition of multiple New Zealand based services businesses in connection with an IPO and ASX listing
  • RightCrowd for its A$22 million acquisition of security wearables vendor, Ticto N.V., as well as its fully-owned US subsidiary Ticto Inc
  • Roc-Drill on its sale to Norcliffe Mining Services
  • Santana Minerals Limited:
    • Acquisition of a silver project in Mexico
    • Off-market share sale of shares in Syndicated Metals Limited, purchase of a 49% interest in Queensland tenements (taking its interests to 100%) from Syndicated, on-sale of the 100% interest for shares in Midas Resources Limited (ASX:MD5) and the grant of a royalty in relation to the tenements
  • Sayona Mining Limited:
    • Acquisition of the Itabela graphite project in South America
    • A$4 million acquisition of the Aurthier Lithium Project
  • Shine Corporate Limited (ASX:SHJ) on its acquisition of ACA Lawyers Pty Ltd
  • Tata Steel on its sale to Vale Australia (QC) Pty Ltd of its interests in the Carborough Downs Coal Mine Join Venture
  • Tritium in relation to Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s strategic investment of A$58 million into Tritium
  • Vitrinite on its Takeover Panel proceedings in November 2013

Takeovers

GRT’s experience on takeover matters gives us a unique position to guide boards and executives successfully through any type of takeover – friendly or hostile.

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Takeovers

GRT’s extensive experience managing takeovers sets us apart from our competitors. We are well positioned to provide first-class guidance to company boards and senior executives on takeover matters, whether friendly or hostile.

We understand the complexities that are involved in a takeover and we tailor our approach based on the unique circumstances surrounding each case. We assist in the initial stages of strategy development, advising on potential risk factors and setting realistic expectations. As the takeover progresses, we provide continuous support, handling negotiations, regulatory compliance, in addition to other legal matters that arise.

Our guidance extends beyond the takeover event. Post-takeover, we assist with integration matters, ensuring a smooth transition. Our goal is to protect your company’s interests and maximise value for stakeholders throughout the process. In essence, GRT is not just a legal advisor, but a strategic partner guiding you through the turbulent waters of corporate takeovers.

Financial Services Governance, Regulation and Compliance

GRT's experience covers the entire corporate governance, financial regulation and financial crime compliance spectrum.

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Financial Services Governance, Regulation and Compliance

GRT’s services include advice on corporate governance, financial regulation and financial crime compliance spectrum.

These services include: 

  • Strategy and business development advice and design
  • Governance/Risk/Compliance framework reviews and updates (including corporate governance, risk management and financial crime compliance framework audits and updates, coupled with the development and delivery of new or updated frameworks, systems, controls, policies and procedures)
  • Financial product design and distribution advice for new (and existing) financial products (e.g. to comply with regulatory change in this area)
  • Financial licensing advice, applications and exemptions (e.g. for AFSL and ACL holders or applications for such licences, particularly in relation to novel business structures and products)
  • Corporate Governance and Prudential applications, issues and compliance (e.g. accountability maps, policies and procedures arising out of BEAR, reviews and updates to performance and remuneration frameworks to comply with existing (and future) standards and obligations)
  • Investigation management, announcement and response advice and co-ordination (including ASX announcements and stakeholder management), design and delivery of remediation programs
  • Formal legal representation in response to the exercise of compulsory powers (e.g. compulsory examinations and notices), administrative action, and the full suite of regulatory action including litigation management
  • Effective regulator liaison and negotiation with federal financial regulators including ASIC, APRA, AUSTRAC, ASX and other regulators as necessary and
  • Specialised training for members of the board, executive, and across the business in relation to culture, conduct, compliance obligations, practices, procedures, consequences, and liabilities

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

The GRT Litigation and Disputes team proactively assists clients to resolve contentious matters and reach commercial outcomes where appropriate. The team has the skills and experience to pre-empt and defuse disputes before they become costly and cause reputational damage.

If litigation or arbitration is unavoidable, the Litigation and Disputes team has a proven track record of successfully undertaking the most technically challenging matters. Our experience gained in global and top-tier law firms enable us to tackle the most complex legal disputes competently and fearlessly.

We provide clients with cost effective and outcome focused strategies.

Commercial Disputes

GRT is well-equipped to assist you with your commercial disputes, whether arising in contract, construction, commercial, or insolvency.

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Commercial Disputes

GRT is well-equipped to assist you with any commercial disputes.  

GRT can provide expert advice and advocacy in relation to commercial disputes in litigation in all of Australia’s superior court jurisdictions in addition to international and domestic commercial arbitration.

 

Recent examples include:

  • Successfully defended a guarantee claim relating to Great Southern Finance investors in South Australian Supreme Court proceedings: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited & Ors v Pickard & Anor [2019] SASC 123
  • Successfully defended, counter-sued and recovered circa $28 million in debt recovery action on behalf of a Singapore based entity: Mineralogy Pty Ltd v BGP Geoexplorer Pte Ltd [2018] QCA 174 and Palmer Petroleum v BGP Geoexplorer [2016] QCA 149
  • Acted for DML on its US$20 million Supreme Court (FIDIC) win against ASX listed company Sedgman Limited
  • Settled a Queensland Supreme Court claim for a UK-based multinational in relation to Australian tax indemnities
  • Acted for a SGX listed company in complex financial services litigation against funds manager and its insurer
  • Acting for a Sydney-based HNW in Supreme Court of Queensland proceedings claiming breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and misleading and deceptive conduct
  • Acting for an Australian-based construction company operating in Papua New Guinea in the National Court of Papua New Guinea against a multinational mining companyany commercial 

Corporate Disputes

We have significant experience acting for clients in disputes concerning directors’ duties, shareholder actions, trustees and unitholders disputes, and disputes arising from joint ventures, partnerships and other business structures.

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Corporate Disputes

Working closely with our colleagues in the Corporate team, we have significant experience acting for clients in disputes concerning directors’ duties, shareholder actions, trustees and unitholders disputes, and disputes arising from joint ventures, partnerships and other business structures. 

Our experience in Takeovers Panel and Schemes of Arrangement rival service by top tier and global law firms.

Our reputation is built on our ability to extract personnel, reformulate relationships and defuse tensions to get keep clients focused on business.

  • Defended and resolved before trial a A$36 million shareholder dispute before the Queensland Supreme Court
  • Acted for the former CEO of a leading national law firm in a high-profile exit from the business
  • Acting for an ASX-listed company in proceedings concerning joint venture interests

Class Actions

The GRT Litigation and Disputes Team are well-placed to assist in the conduct and defence of class actions. We are currently acting for a former executive in a high profile Australian Federal Court shareholder class action..

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Class Actions

Class actions are on the rise in Australia. The GRT Litigation and Disputes Team are well-placed to assist in the conduct and defence of class actions.  We are currently acting for a former executive in a high profile Australian Federal Court shareholder class action.

Regulatory Investigations and Enforcement Action

Since 2012, GRT has assisted many businesses, directors and officers facing regulatory investigations and enforcement action involving the ATO, ASIC, the ACCC, Takeovers Panel and overseas regulators.

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Regulatory Investigations and Enforcement Action

Since 2012, GRT has assisted many businesses, directors and officers facing regulatory investigations and enforcement action involving the ATO, ASIC, the ACCC, Takeovers Panel and overseas regulators.

We have acted for examinees in examinations and defended claims in relation to breach of director duties.

Given the reputational risk, risk to personal assets and, in some cases, risk of criminal prosecution or civil penalty proceedings, it is integral that you have an experienced and diligent legal team on your side.

Ashley Hill’s (Director) experience in contentious regulatory matters and insurance litigation means that you will receive critical advice related to any regulatory investigation or enforcement action.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

GRT has the experience and know-how to successfully navigate your company through pre-litigation negotiations, mediation, international commercial arbitration, expert adjudication and other forms of ADR.

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Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

GRT has the experience and expertise to successfully navigate your company through any type of of ADR.

We advise clients on the most strategic and cost-effective approach in consideration of the costs, time requirements and stressors typical of litigation and arbitration.

Since 2014, Ashley Hill (Director) has been listed in ‘Best Lawyers in Australia’ Peer Review in the category of International Arbitration. He has acted for clients in arbitrations before SIAC, HKIAC and ICC. Ashley is also listed in the Doyle’s Guide for Leading Litigation and Dispute Resolution Lawyers in Queensland. Team members are also specialists in international commercial arbitration and qualified in foreign jurisdictions such as Hong Kong.

GRT’s skills and experience in negotiation have achieved commercial resolutions for our clients on many occasions, thereby avoid the costs and time taken in litigation or arbitration.

  • ICC commercial arbitration for a listed Australian entity against a global mining company
  • SIAC commercial arbitration for a Mongolian company against Japanese entities
  • Prosecuted and resolved before trial a claim for a multinational company pursuant to a tax indemnity clause

Referrals/conflicts

GRT regularly assists other law firms in matters where a conflict has arisen with a current or prospective client and/or expert local representation (town agency) is required.

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Referrals/Conflicts

GRT regularly assists other law firms in matters where a conflict has arisen with a current or prospective client and/or expert local representation (town agency) is required.

We provide an excellent service which respects the relationship between the client and referring lawyers.

Respect and integrity are key GRT values reflected in all the work that we undertake for our valued clients.

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Contact Us
Contact Us
Lawyer

Meghan Bower

Meghan is a dedicated and high-performing graduate joining our commercial disputes team with over 5 years of pre-admission experience handling complex personal injury cases. She brings a comprehensive understanding of legal intricacies and a passion for advocating for her clients.

Throughout her career, Meghan has honed her skills in due diligence work, contract review, advice, ADR and multi-jurisdictional litigation including claims in the Supreme Courts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory. Her journey in the legal field has been marked by her unwavering commitment to client service and her ability to thrive under pressure. Meghan is on the cusp of becoming a qualified lawyer and is eager to contribute her skills and knowledge to GRT’s specialist litigation team.

Associate

Andrew Doak

Andrew begun his legal career as a law clerk in Brisbane in 2008 and continued this through his studies until he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Queensland University of Technology in 2011.

He was admitted as a solicitor in 2012 and shortly thereafter moved to London where he worked for global top tier and Magic Circle law firms covering a variety of arbitration and litigation matters. As a highly skilled legal professional, he was responsible for managing multiple teams on document heavy litigation, many of which were centered around energy, commercial, insurance and financial services disputes.

Andrew had worked with senior lawyers and counsel on several high profile and well-publicised cases including class actions, large financial regulatory investigations, and complex international matters before making the decision to return home to Brisbane and join GRT in 2024.

Finance Manager

Chan Hu

Full bio coming soon!

Associate

Dale Copley

Dale began working with GRT Lawyers at the start of 2023 after beginning his legal career with  top-tier firm. He recently retired from professional sports and is relatively new to the legal field, having been admitted in November of 2022.

Dale values the importance of teamwork and advising clients to assist them in achieving their business goals. His experience as a professional athlete has instilled in him the significance of collective efforts and strategic collaboration – qualities that now define his approach to his career in law.

He has a strong interest in equity markets and is acquiring valuable experience by advising on capital raises and various ASX listing rule concerns.

Associate

Rebecca Wei

As an accomplished associate corporate lawyer, Rebecca contributes a fresh perspective and a robust work ethic to our legal team. She has swiftly gained experience in corporate law, demonstrating dedication to assisting clients with their legal needs in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Rebecca specialises in capital market transactional matters, contract drafting, and corporate governance. She has supported senior lawyers in advising a diverse range of clients, including established corporations, startups, and entrepreneurs.

Senior Corporate Advisor

Alana Nisbet

Alana has over 10 years’ experience practicing predominantly in international top tier firms in Australia, London and Guernsey. Her primary practice areas are public and private mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and investment funds and she has significant experience advising on complex corporate transactions.

Alana is valued for her exemplary client service and have been ranked as a “Rising Star” for Equity Capital Markets and Mergers & Acquisitions by Legal 500.

Head of International Projects

Amarzaya Gantumur

Amarzaya is the Head of GRT Lawyer’s International Projects Division.

She has over 14 years of experience in the global legal industry in both civil and common law jurisdictions. She has acted as counsel in numerous complex corporate and commercial transactions, and litigation matters, including cross border litigation and international commercial arbitration.

As a common law trained lawyer with working experiences in both civil law and common law jurisdictions, Amarzaya is particularly dedicated to international work due to her international clients and her global network. 

Her recent work experience includes representing a Mongolian state-owned entity in an international commercial arbitration (under SIAC rules); representing an Australian/Philippines entity in an international commercial arbitration (under SIAC rules); providing wide range of legal and technical support to a global mining services company in its operation in Mongolia; providing legal and technical support to a Mongolian financial institute in its operation in Australia.   

Amarzaya graduated from the School of Law, National University of Mongolia in 2004 and holds an LLM (Corporate and Finance Law) from the University of Hong Kong. She is fluent in both English and Mongolian. She was appointed as an arbitrator with the Mongolian International Arbitration Centre in 2022. She is a member of various other professional organizations, including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Senior Associate

Rachel Hendrie

Rachel is a commercial dispute resolution lawyer who has experience in litigating significant commercial, construction and financial services disputes and in international arbitration. She is experienced with managing document heavy litigation.

Her experience includes assisting major Australian banks in civil penalty proceedings initiated by AUSTRAC in the Federal Court of Australia concerning AML/CTF compliance and fraud investigations, assisting financial services clients with responding to ACCC and ASIC notices including corporate shareholder and contractual disputes for oil and gas clients in Supreme Courts.

Rachel has worked for global top-tier law firms in both Brisbane and Melbourne.

Special Counsel

Alexander Sloan

e alexander.sloan@grtlawyers.com
m +61 406 863 562

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Alex is a commercial litigator with experience in funded litigation and class actions. He has acted for publicly listed companies (both ASX and SGX), large private companies, litigation funders, SMEs, and company directors in a range of commercial disputes.

His experience includes complex, cross-border financial services litigation, class actions, product liability, insolvencies, and corporate disputes.

Alex has prosecuted and defended claims in the Supreme Courts of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, and in the Federal Court of Australia. He also acted in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

Alex was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2015 and worked for several years in a national Australian law firm, prior to joining GRT Lawyers in 2021.

 

General Manager

Aylesha James

e aylesha@grtlawyers.com
m 0433 555 812

EXPERTISE

  • Business Operations
  • People and Culture
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Event Coordination
  • Project Management

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Aylesha serves as the General Manager at GRT Lawyers, providing effective leadership and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firm. In her role, she manages human resources, marketing, events, and directly supervises the Administration team.

Bringing more than 19 years of experience in office management, senior administration, project and event management, as well as human resources, Aylesha has a proven track record of excellence in high-pressure environments. Her wealth of experience and professionalism ensures the seamless functioning of the firm. Aylesha excels in optimizing operational efficiencies by reviewing and implementing systems, policies, and procedures to support business functions, resulting in impactful results. She adopts a holistic approach, balancing a keen eye for detail with a focus on overarching goals.

Aylesha’s passion lies in people and culture, where she actively fosters strong relationships across all levels of the business. She connects with staff to instill the core values of GRT Lawyers and the GRT Foundation, believing in creating value through people. Her approach involves working with passion and understanding, offering support and cultivating relationships that enhance both business and individual performance.

EXPERIENCE


Her career history encompasses multi-faceted roles giving her exposure to the specialty fields of Human Resources, Marketing and Event Management. Roles have included:

  • Human resources, including recruitment, performance management, staffing, new employee onboarding, employee benefits, payroll and training and development.
  • Marketing – including roles involving the development and implementation of marketing and business development strategies.
  • Background in planning internal and external events from conception through to execution, displaying qualities of a successful event planner: thorough yet precise, expert knowledge, ingenuity in identifying and solving problems and clear, concise communication.

“There’s always another level up. There’s always another ascension. More grace, more light, more generosity, more compassion, more to shed, more to grow.” -Elizabeth Gilbert

Director

Ashley Hill

e ashley.hill@grtlawyers.com
m 0415 150 866

EXPERTISE

  • Commercial litigation
  • International commercial arbitration
  • Energy – oil, gas, coal, and electricity
  • Product liability – recalls and litigation
  • Resources – water and agribusiness
  • Financial services
  • Insurance – including D&O, PI and BI
  • Regulatory – securities and governance; anti-bribery and anti-corruption
  • Hotel development and management disputes
  • IT industry disputes
  • IP claims including counterfeiting, passing-off, copyright infringement
  • Mediation, Adjudication and Advocacy

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Ashley has in excess of 23 years’ experience as a litigator and disputes lawyer. In his time at GRT Lawyers and working for top-tier Australian and global law firms (in the Middle-East and Singapore), Ashley has acted for clients across multiple continents on complex commercial litigation and international arbitration.

EXPERIENCE

Ashley’s current practice includes investment protection and dispute matters across a number of industry sectors including energy and resources, financial services, technology, agribusiness, tourism, in addition to contentious regulatory, insurance disputes and product liability matters.

The international scope of Ashley’s work has given him a valuable insight into cross-border disputes in common law and civil law jurisdictions. He has practical experience with most of the world’s renowned international commercial arbitration institutions including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, SCC and ICDR/AAA.

Since 2014, Ashley has been listed in ‘Best Lawyers in Australia’ Peer Review for the categories of International Arbitration, Litigation, Insurance and Product Liability.  In 2019, Ashley was added to the Doyle’s Guide Leading Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Lawyers in Queensland.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ashley holds Bachelor Degrees in Law and Arts (University of New England) and he is:

  • a member of the Queensland Law Society (QLS)
  • Executive Council Member of Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration (AFIA)
  • Associate Member of Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA); and
  • ordinary member of Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA)
Director

Scott Standen

e scott.standen@grtlawyers.com
m 0447 790 009

EXPERTISE

  • In depth understanding of the M&A processes (public M&A and private M&A transactions)
  • Public equity capital markets transactions
  • Management of due diligence processes
  • Deep understanding of governance frameworks
  • Corporate structuring
  • Capital structure management
  • Transaction management
 PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Scott is a founder and Director of GRT Lawyers and GRT Foundation and corporate lawyer. He leads a team of specialist legal professionals, providing advice to organisations of all sizes, from middle market, large corporates and government owned corporations.

Scott’s career spans more than 20 years as a corporate lawyer and has encompassed an in-house general counsel role, director of Statutory Authorities and corporate legal adviser to managing directors, chief financial officers and boards of directors of ASX listed companies.

Scott is regularly called on by clients to provide strategic corporate advice to boards of directors and to project manage merger and acquisition transactions and public equity markets transactions. He prides himself in providing technically accurate and commercially focused corporate advice for public, private and listed companies, boards of directors and corporate advisers.

In particular, Scott advises on public equity markets transactions, debt issuances and restructuring, corporate governance and advisory, regulatory compliance, public and private M&A transactions, contract negotiation and directors’ duties and liabilities.

EXPERIENCE

Scott’s experience includes:

  • Advising Cerro Resources Limited in relation to its public market merger and acquisition deal with Canadian based Primero Gold Limited and the concurrent spin out of assets to Santana Metals Limited and listing of Santana Metals Limited on ASX
  • Advising Discovery Metals Limited in relation to its A$250 million debt restructuring and associated equity raisings and proposed convertible note issue
  • Advising Polymetals Limited in relation to its acquisition by Southern Cross Goldfields by way of scheme of arrangement
  • Advising Southern Cross Goldfields Limited in relation to its A$60 million capital raising transaction involving equity, debt and hybrid securities
  • Dual listing on Hong Kong Exchange of ASX listed company
  • ASX listing of Asia focused technology / media company and
  • ASX listing of Apiam Animal Health Limited, vertically integrated provider of services and product to agricultural industry and
  • ASX listing of P2P Transport Limited.

QUALIFICATIONS

Scott holds Bachelor Degrees in Law and Business Administration and a Masters of Law. Scott has previously held positions as a Director on the Boards of the Queensland Manufactured Water Authority (and related entities) and the Queensland Bulk Water Authority (and related entities).

Managing Director

Glenn Vassallo

e gv@grtlawyers.com
m 0422 857 760

EXPERTISE

  • Public capital markets
  • Corporate law
  • Private capital markets
  • Corporate advisory
  • Corporate structuring
  • Complex corporate disputes
  • Social entrepreneurship

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Glenn is a founder of GRT Lawyers and the GRT Foundation. As the Managing Director of GRT Lawyers and chair of the GRT Foundation, Glenn is passionate about working with his highly sophisticated national and international clients to implement their corporate strategy and solve their complex problems.

Glenn is passionate about implementing the corporate strategy of GRT Lawyers and the GRT Foundation. Glenn’s significant experience in formulating and executing complex corporate transactions (including IPOs, takeovers, and other equity capital market transactions) with a particular focus on national and international stock and security exchanges puts him in a unique position to provide excellent advice.

EXPERIENCE

After building GRT Lawyers into a high-quality law firm, and together with his wife Eliza, establishing the GRT Foundation into a sustainable Australian charity, Glenn built GRT App (a subsidiary of GRT Lawyers) and sold that to an ASX listed company. Glenn was the first chairperson of any Australian ASX listed company to successfully chair a real-time virtual meeting of shareholders. He is still today, the only person who has chaired a real-time virtual shareholders meeting for an ASX listed company.

Glenn is often invited to speak on global topics such as capital markets, initial public offerings, takeovers and more recently was invited to New York University to speak at its global conference about social entrepreneurship.

QUALIFICATIONS

Glenn holds a Bachelor Degree of Law (LLB) and a Bachelor Degree of Commerce. He has been a long-standing member of the Law Council of Australia Company Law Committee and the Queensland Law Society Company Law Committee, member of the Australian India Business Council (Energy and Resources – Subcommittee) and has significant ASX listed board experience.