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Aaron Kenavan

Partner

Email

aaron.kenavan@aoshearman.com

Phone

+612 9373 7773

Offices

Sydney

V-CARD
Aaron has considerable experience advising on strategically important transactions including listed company takeovers and mergers, share and business acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and other forms of business collaborations, demergers and capital raisings.

His advice is sought by leading Australian and global corporates, significant capital providers, as well as investment banks.

Aaron has expertise in various industries including FMCG, energy/O&G, mining/resources, infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, services, retail and real estate. Matters are often cross-border or complex including some of Australia's most significant transactions.

Aaron is consistently recognised in the legal directories including Chambers & Partners and IFLR1000. He has lectured on takeover laws at the University of Sydney Law School.

Experience

Representative matters

Dexus on the AUD15bn merger by trust scheme of Dexus Wholesale Property Fund and a subsidiary of a large global investment manager and the separate acquisition of a subsidiary of a large global investment manager and Australian infrastructure business (AUD28bn of FUM).
 
Asahi on its AUD16bn acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries, the Australian arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
 
Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited on its AUD$4bn acquisition of Alinta Energy and $1.7bn sale of Alinta Pilbara.
 
Persol Holdings Co., Ltd on its AUD1.5bn acquisition of Programmed Maintenance Services by scheme of arrangement.
 
Equinix, Inc., on its $1.035 billion acquisition of Metronode, (data centres).

SABMiller on its unsolicited AUD12.3bn takeover of Foster’s Group.
 
Advent International on the USD812 million acquisition by scheme of arrangement of Nuplex Industries Limited.
 
Bradken on the A$975 million takeover bid by Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
 
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd on numerous transactions including its acquisition of a 19.9% stake in Atlas Iron Limited and its on-market share buy-backs.
 
Kerogen Capital on its "PIPE" into ASX-listed AJ Lucas Group Limited.
 
Palisade on its acquisition of the North Queensland Gas Pipeline from Victorian Funds Management Corporation.
 
Prostar Capital on multiple acquisitions, including Korea’s largest independent pure-play city gas distributor and numerous bulk liquid terminals globally.
 
PTTEP on the sale of its 100% interest and operatorship in the Montara oil project to Jadestone Energy.
 
R&R Ice Cream and PAI Partners on its acquisition of Peters Food Group.
 
An agribusiness of a multinational corporation on its AUD2.2bn scrip and cash acquisition by Viterra Inc. 

Shell on its AUD10bn hostile bid for Woodside Petroleum, which was the largest hostile bid in Australia at the time. The transaction was structured to include both cash and a call option under which shareholders could repurchase their shares after Woodside was merged with various assets owned by Shell.
 

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Law Society, New South Wales
Recognition
“Aaron brings a highly incisive approach that can add a very large amount of value in a short amount of time to keep deals moving in right direction.”
Legal 500
“Aaron is a very intellectually agile and tactically aggressive lawyer who adds significant value. He is trusted by his clients and also by advisers to clients.”
IFLR

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2010

Admitted as solicitor, New South Wales, Australia, 1997

Academic

Graduate Diploma Applied Finance & Investment, Securities Institute of Australia, 1997

Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Queensland University of Technology, 1995

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.