Lawrence Mendes

Lawrence Mendes

Partner
Baker & McKenzie

Biography

Lawrence is a partner in the corporate practice group in Sydney and advises private equity sponsors, funds and large corporations on public and private M&A transactions.

He also has particular focus on private capital transactions spanning the full spectrum of the fund life cycle from leveraged buy-outs, bolt-on acquisitions and exits.

In addition to his Australian experience, he has also practiced in the US whilst based in Baker McKenzie's Chicago office.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Advising various private equity sponsors on transactions across multiple sectors including the financial services, IT services, IT infrastructure, healthcare, food, energy services and Australian defence sectors (2019 – 2025) such as:
    • the bid for a AUD 1 billion+ division of an Australian bank;
    • the proposal to acquire a AUD $ 1 billion+ investments, insurance and superannuation solutions business through a competitive auction process;
    • the acquisition of Sensis and its subsequent disposal; and
    • investments by those sponsors through bolt-on acquisitions and continuation fund investments (e.g., the MotorOne continuation fund). 
  • Member of the team advising a consortium of owners on the sale of a significant data centre platform (2024).
  • Advising Suez (now Veolia) on the sale of its Australian waste management assets to ASX-listed Cleanaway under a dual structure for UD 2.4 billion / AUD 500 million (2021). 
  • Advising ASC Group on the sale of ASC Shipbuilding to BAE Systems Australia and arrangements in relation to the construction of nine future frigates (this transaction was awarded "Property, Infrastructure & Projects Deal of the Year").
  • Advising Mitsubishi UFJ Trust on its acquisition of Colonial First State Global Asset Management from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia for AUD 4 billion.

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Law Society of New South Wales - Member

Admissions

  • New South Wales~Australia (2008)
  • High Court of Australia (2008)
  • Federal Court of Australia~Australia (2008)

Education

  • University of Sydney (LLB) (2007)
  • University of Sydney (Bachelor of Commerce Major in Finance and Accounting) (2005)
  • University of Sydney (Merit Scholarship recipient) (2003)

Languages

  • English

Previous Offices

  • Chicago