C7 Litigation- representing Telstra Corporation: Mallesons acted for Telstra in proceedings against AAPT. Telstra claimed in excess of $100 million in charges which it claimed were owing. AAPT raised numerous cross-claims for a number of different causes of action, and asserted that it was entitled to damages totalling many hundreds of millions of dollars. Ultimately a settlement was reached. The firm also acted for Telstra in relation to its section 46 claim against Optus. Together both cases have demonstrated Mallesons' expertise in the telecommunications litigation area. The firm is also now acting for Telstra in connection with a dispute involving the Network Seven Group of companies, News Group, PBL and others regarding the acquisition of the Australian Football League and National Rugby League broadcast and other rights in late 2000. The claims give rise to complex competition law issues.

Western Sydney Orbital: Mallesons acted for WestLink Motorway Partnership (Leighton Contractors Pty Limited, Abigroup Limited, Macquarie Infrastructure Group and Transurban) as the successful bidder for the $2.23 billion Western Sydney Orbital motorway project. It involves the construction of a 40km free flow, electronically-tolled road linking the M2, M4 and M5 tollroads in Western Sydney, Australia Multiplex Group IPO: Mallesons acted for Multiplex Limited, Mr John Roberts and Multiplex Funds Management Limited in connection with the IPO of the Multiplex Group. The transaction involved a complex restructuring of Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd, the establishment of the Multiplex Property Trust, structuring and documentation of property development projects to be acquired by the trust, establishment of financing facilities, acquisitions of third party properties, the listing of the company and the trust on the Australian Stock Exchange and the quotation of the stapled securities. A$1.2 billion was raised via a fully subscribed offer.

AMP Hybrid: Mallesons acted for the AMP Group in relation to its A$1.15 billion offer of Reset Preferred Securities ("RPS") and the related issue of Perpetual Subordinated Bonds ("PSBs") by AMP (UK) for an equivalent amount. The RPS are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), are treated by the Australian Prudential and Regulatory Authority (APRA) as Tier 1 capital and are convertible to AMP ordinary shares in certain circumstances and will be exchangeable into AMP preference shares (if issued) in other circumstances. The PBSs are listed in Luxembourg and are included as cover for the minimum or notional margin of solvency required of AMP's UK subsidiaries by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

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Clerkship Review

Position(s) of the clerk being interviewed:

Merger and acquisition

Job description:

Working in Mallesons Stephen Jaques (HK), an Australia-based international law firm, my involvements included:

• Attending meetings with partners and senior associates,
• Commenting, editing and proof-reading contracts, legal advices, prospectuses and verification notes,
• Drafting emails, legal advices, letters and summaries in Chinese and English ,
• Performing extensive due diligence and legal research tasks on the Law of Contracts and the relevant laws, regulations, codes, guidelines and information booklets regarding Real Estate Investment Trusts and IPOs, and
• Translating emails, letters and legal advice from English to Chinese and vice versa

Comments:

The experience of being a clerk in Mallesons is extraordinary.

In terms of external social life, the firm actively encourages us to meet clerks from other firms. While I established a bond with the clerks I worked with, I shared my Friday nights with clerks from JSM, Deacons, Lovells and others in LKF. Moreover, all clerks were brought to visit the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Hong Kong Monetary Authorities and Legal Aid. Friendships were established between clerks.

As for internal social life, the firm organized a Christmas Party at one of the most exclusive club in Hong Kong – the Aberdeen Marina Club before the Christmas holiday. The legal staff [including partners], the supporting staff and the clerks were all in swimmers despite it being winter. We had nice food served, and we had a water gun fight and some team games for fun after the meal. I felt like we are kids at this party.

Despite these wonderful social lives, it came at a price. In order to meet deadlines, I stayed overtime occasionally. Although the workload was heavy for that particular time, there is much work satisfaction. My buddy treated me as part of the team, discussing the project with us and telling us all the details about the case and the client. Therefore, I highly recommend Mallesons as a law firm.