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James Lonie

James is a senior partner in the Corporate group in Sydney advising on funds related matters and mergers and acquisitions. He is an experienced corporate and transactional lawyer, working in the public and private, and regulated and unregulated environments.

His focus areas are:

  • Funds management including advising on the structuring, establishment, offering, and restructuring of unit trusts and other investment vehicles;
  • Securities and financial services regulation including licensing, compliance, and disclosure obligations;
  • Equity capital markets including advising on the documentation, and due diligence enquiries, for capital raisings such as IPOs, placements, and entitlement offers as well as on wholesale/institutional funding;
  • M&A such as regulated takeover bids, schemes, capital reductions and buy-backs, and private sale and purchases of companies and businesses;
  • Joint ventures and start-ups including the preparation of joint venture and shareholder agreements; and
  • Advisory work on corporate governance matters and securities regulatory issues.

Prior to joining K&L Gates, James worked as a partner in the corporate group at a national law firm in Sydney. During this time, he focused on capital market; corporate governance; financial services advisory; funds management; and mergers and acquisitions. Early in his career, he was seconded for nine months to work as the legal assistant to the General Counsel of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

  • Listed in the Best Lawyers in Australia™ 
    • Commercial Law, 2014-2025
    • Corporate Law, 2014-2025
    • Equity Capital Markets Law, 2014-2025
    • Funds Management, 2014-2025
    • Investment Funds, 2014-2025
    • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2014-2025
  • Recognised by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer in Australia, 2024
    • Corporate and M&A
    • Fintech and financial services regulatory

"James Lonie – smartest man in the room and a completely quality individual. He is more than ably supported by Naomi Philp. They are technically above reproach, but more importantly approach each engagement with a commercial sensibility which is often missing in highly technically proficient practitioners."
Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Corporate and M&A, 2024

  • Listed by Doyle's Guide as a recommended
    • Leading Business & Commercial Lawyer – New South Wales, 2022
    • Leading Corporate Lawyer – New South Wales, 2022
    • Leading Corporate/M&A Lawyer (Small & Mid-Market Matters) – New South Wales, 2017
    • Leading Corporate/M&A Lawyer – NSW, 2012
Additional Thought Leadership Pages
Additional News & Event Pages
  • Quoted, Short Staffed ASIC has gone 'MIA on M&A', Australian Financial Review, 23 October 2023
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