Leading international law firm Allen & Overy has announced it has expanded its Australian practice; it will now offer litigation and regulatory investigations expertise. In coordination with this expansion, John Samaha, senior Australian litigation lawyer, has been appointed to the partnership.
Samaha’s appointment will enable Allen & Overy to offer integrated local and global litigation and regulatory support to its clients, as the firm has experienced continued success of its corporate and finance practices in Australia.
Samaha possesses significant experience in complex and strategically significant litigation and regulatory work. He has acted for leading corporations and financial institutions in Australia, including many sector leaders. He was previously a senior litigation partner at another leading Australian firm, where he worked for two decades.
The Legal 500 review of Australian dispute resolution lawyers just released reports that John is ‘a consummate professional, highly knowledgeable and commercially minded’.
Tim House, Global Head of Litigation at Allen & Overy, was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “John’s arrival is a further boost to our litigation capability across the Asia Pacific region and fits hand-in-glove with our growth plans for Allen & Overy’s global litigation practice. It also represents a unique opportunity for leading Australian litigation solicitors who see the advantages of a career in our growing network.”
Grant Fuzi, Managing Partner of Allen & Overy in Australia, was quoted as saying: “John is a recognized leader in his field. Now that Allen & Overy is well established in Australia, we are pleased to offer our clients litigation and regulatory skills and expertise under John’s leadership. John’s appointment brings our Australian partner tally to 23, with the support of over 160 staff. This outstanding growth has been fuelled by positive client response to our focus on leveraging our global and domestic expertise.”
In the last twelve months, Allen & Overy has completed transactions with an approximate total value of over AUD40 billion. These include advising SABMiller on its proposed AUD12 billion takeover of Foster’s Group by scheme of arrangement, Fortescue Metals Group on a USD2.04 billion syndicated loan facility and a 144A unsecured bond offering and on a USD1.5 billion 144A unsecured bond offering (CFO Dealbook Corporate Bond Issue of the Year 2011), and Equinox on the AUD7.1 billion Barrick Gold offer.
Allen & Overy is headquartered in London. The firm is a member of the UK’s Magic Circle of leading law firms, and is widely considered to be one of the world’s elite law firms, advising national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments. Founded in 1930, Allen & Overy has become one of the largest law firms in the world, both by number of lawyers and revenue. With approximately 5,000 staff and 38 offices worldwide, the firm provides legal advice in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.