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VALESKA BLOCH
ASTRID BEEMSTER
Trailblazers
Beemster is a standout lawyer in the real estate sector. She offers clients a powerful mix of technical expertise, commercial acumen, deep sector knowledge and diamond-strength clarity in complex transactions. She advises across a variety of sectors and asset classes. She acts for some of the biggest names in real estate in relation to high-value acquisitions (at asset and fund level) and disposals, complex leasing transactions (landlords and tenants) and developments. Beemster led one of the largest real estate transactions in Sydney’s history – 420 George Street, Sydney acquisition ($600m) – and the disposal of an industrial portfolio ($250m).
Bloch is co-founder of Allens Accelerate, a market-leading legal practice supporting the Australian start-up community with a range of free and cost-effective legal documentation, advice and policy commentary. Allens Accelerate has advised more than 50 start-ups since its launch, with its A-suite documents downloaded more than 1600 times. She also co-authored Blockchain Reaction, Allens’ landmark report on distributed-ledger technology and blockchain, which was the first major report on the topic to be released by an Australian law firm. Bloch specialises in the procurement and development of large-scale ICT platforms and telecommunications projects, as well as new and traditional media transactions, privacy and data management.
DLA Piper Australia
BRENDAN BROWN
Allens
Russell McVeagh
Brendan Brown heads Russell McVeagh’s tax team and has recently been at the forefront of a number of the most important developments affecting the New Zealand market. He has led the Russell McVeagh team acting on a number of significant tax cases before the courts, including Westpac’s successful application for judicial review of Inland Revenue’s refusal to exercise its power to amend certain tax assessments, which is now the top authority on the New Zealand Inland Revenue’s re-assessment power. He is regularly consulted on emerging issues and recently advised the major banks on the tax implications of the new Basel III-based capital standards.
MICHELLE BLACKBURN Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Over the past 12 months, Michelle Blackburn has provided key advice on regulatory issues related to the livestock exports industry. The complex export regulatory regime has undergone significant reform in recent years in response to trade and animal welfare issues. Her work on this and on other innovative agribusiness proposals has positioned her as a pre-eminent lawyer in the increasingly important area of agribusiness approvals. Blackburn is also a leading expert in advising on the environment, planning and landaccess aspects of major development and infrastructure projects. Combining expert technical knowledge with an approachable manner, Blackburn provides high-quality advice that takes into account the full suite of clients’ planning and environmental issues.
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