Ian is a Melbourne-based competition and consumer law partner with deep expertise across all areas of competition law.
Recognised for his work on international merger clearances, he advises on deal timing, structures and contractual frameworks, and is highly experienced in structuring and implementing complex commercial arrangements, particularly in M&A, joint ventures and distribution contexts.
Ian has significant experience in multi-jurisdictional matters and previously worked in a leading EU and UK antitrust practice in Brussels. He regularly advises businesses across sectors including digital platforms and technology, healthcare, media, consumer goods and retail, petrochemicals, oil and gas, gambling, and transport and logistics.
Key deals
TPG Telstra / Optus network sharing
Advised in relation to the ACCC and Australian Competition Tribunal processes in respect of a ten-year A$2 billion ‘Multi-Operator Core Network’ arrangement with Telstra, which was the subject of a lengthy ACCC process and complex litigation. Ian also acted on TPG’s follow-up transaction in respect of a similar structure with Optus.
GEAR / M Resources / South 32
Advised on the consortium’s A$2.5 billion acquisition of the Illawarra Metallurgical Coal business from South32. Ian acted on the Australian foreign investment and merger clearance processes, and a broad range of overseas merger control filings.
DAZN Group Limited / Foxtel
Advised DAZN on its A$3.4 billion acquisition of 100% of the share capital of NXE Australia Pty Limited trading as the Foxtel Group (Foxtel) from its shareholders, News Corporation (News) and Telstra Group Limited (Telstra).
SES S.A. (Satellite services) / Intelsat
Advised SES, a globally active satellite capacity and connectivity supplier listed on the Luxembourg stock exchange and Euronext Paris, to successfully obtain clearance from both the ACCC and Papua New Guinea’s ICCC in relation to its US$3.1 billion proposed acquisition of Intelsat, a private satellite capacity and connectivity supplier headquartered in Luxembourg.
Zashvin / JellinBah
Advised in relation to the $1.6 billion acquisition of Anglo American’s interest in Jellinbah Group, the owner of two large coal producing assets in Queensland.
Australia Post
Acting in a major misleading and deceptive conduct investigation before the ACCC, ultimately settled without Court action or penalty.
CoStar / Domain
Advised CoStar on its successful $2.75 billion takeover of Domain by way of a scheme of arrangement.