News | Gadens has been shortlisted in the 2019 Australian Law Awards

Celebrating its 19th year the Australian Law Awards, in partnership with UNSW Law, is the pinnacle of award programs for the nation’s legal professionals, recognising individual, team and firm excellence in law, from the profession’s most senior ranks to its rising stars.

The finalist list, which was announced on 24 June, features over 350 high-achieving law professionals across 37 categories.

When the finalists were announced four of Gadens teams were recognised, two firm programs and one of our senior associates. 

Banking and Finance – Team of the Year

As the team that continues to advise on the full gamut of banking and finance matters, Gadens was selected, based on a submission that detailed matters from residential lending, commercial and business banking through to property and construction finance, syndicated facilities, subordinated and mezzanine financings. The team highlighted their unique support to banks through a residential home loans practice as well as a restructuring and recoveries practice also detailing their substantial team strength and unique use of technology.

Commercial – Team of the Year

Gadens’ Corporate Advisory and Commercial team is one of the fastest growing in Australia and is recognised for delivering excellent technical advice in a commercial and practical manner in the fields of mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, corporate governance and general commercial matters. With too many matters to mention, the team showcased their experience by focussing on their support to key industries: financial services, property, agribusiness and food, drink and hospitality.

Transaction – Team of the Year

As specialists in mid-market transactions, our reputation is founded on the high calibre of our lawyers coupled with the strength of our client relationships with a range of Australian and International public and private corporations, private equity & investment funds and ‘high-net-worth’ individuals. This team was able to feature a number of its successful transactions to demonstrate expertise for clients such as Made Group, Tipple, Marand Precision Engineering and Viva Leisure.

Property – Team of the Year

One of Australia’s leading property law practices with particular expertise in supporting our clients from ‘concept to completion’, Gadens Property Team is a finalist because of their outstanding work which comes by working in-step with clients, throughout the life-cycle of their development. Balancing the rewards of development, with increasing risks that increasing regulation in the property sector brings. Being able to highlight the work the team has completed on Collins Arch was a highlight, as Melbourne prepares to move into their new space.

Pro Bono Program of the Year

A strategy embedded in culture was the focus of the Pro Bono Program submission, which sees Gadens a finalist for the program of the year. Across the firm, there has been an incredible amount of work completed through our pro bono program and our submission focussed on what makes our program unique, and highly effective. Through the selection of grassroots, high-impact programs and the concentration of efforts through flagship projects.

Employee Program of the Year

Gadens’ Employee Program is unique and we believe successful because many of its components are employee-led and employee-driven initiatives. Our submission focussed on the shared successes of this program.

Senior Associate of the Year

Susan Sumars is a finalist, for her work as an impressive banking and finance lawyer, alongside her substantial support for the firm’s Pro Bono efforts.

The winners will be announced at a five-star gala dinner on Friday, 9 August at The Star Sydney.