Australian BigLaw firm Clayton Utz has welcomed Mark Malinas to its partnership as head of private equity.
Mark Malinas (pictured), whom Clayton Utz called “one of Australia’s most experienced private equity lawyers”, was formerly a senior M&A partner at BigLaw rival Allens.
At Allens, he served as co-head of private equity, leader of the Melbourne M&A team, and member of the firm’s board over the past decade.
Clayton Utz chief executive partner Emma Covacevich said: “Mark brings more than 20 years of specialist experience in mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions, including buyouts and exits.”
“He brings expertise across both domestic and cross-border M&A and has strong connections with listed and unlisted companies, as well as financial sponsors.”
The firm praised Malinas and said that “he has … been consistently recognised by major international legal directories as a leading practitioner in his field”.
Covacevich added: “Malinas would bolster the firm’s transactional capabilities.”
Accompanying his private capital and corporate M&A expertise, he has also advised on corporate governance, board advisory matters and securities law, said the firm.
Covacevich said: “Malinas’ appointment comes at a time of strong momentum in the private markets. We’re seeing clear and sustained activity in private markets. The increasing shift in capital flows is playing an increasingly important role in our market.”
This news follows other recent movements at Clayton Utz: the appointment of three senior executives to their risk advisory practice in June, the promotion of two senior lawyers to partners in April, the acquisition of a Baker McKenzie banking and finance partner in March and the acquisition of an Ashurst real estate partner in January.
“With Mark’s experience – and his strong ties to both local and international investors – we’re even better positioned to support our clients as private capital flows continue to grow,” Covacevich said.
