Norton Rose Fulbright advises on Australian data centres financing

Norton Rose Fulbright has advised on the successful completion of an AU$850 million financing process to fund the major expansion of Australian data centres in Sydney and Melbourne, and across key Asia-Pacific markets, for AirTrunk.

It’s a landmark financing as the largest by a data centre company in Australia to date.

Norton Rose Fulbright partner Chris Patten led the debt financing for AirTrunk.

The team included corporate partner Shane Bilardi, Grant Schulz (finance), Louise Kelly (finance), Marco Lagos (finance) and Felicity Young (finance), Ka-Chi Cheung (technology) and Sarah Wilson (corporate).

“This deal is a terrific example of the benefits of a competitive financing process and the flexible and scalable debt package is the latest example of product innovation in the Australian debt markets, drawing on traditional project finance and leveraged finance methodologies and bespoke features coming to market through the growth of unitranche and institutional lending in the region,” Patten said.

Independent advisory firm Grant Samuel acted as financial adviser to AirTrunk while Deutsche Bank is the lead arranger, underwriter, and sole bookrunner for the new senior secured debt facilities.

Hogan Lovells celebrates Mexican success
Hogan Lovells has celebrated 70 years of work in Mexico for years after it combined with local firm Barrera, Siqueiros y Torres Landa.

When the firms merged it was the first time that an international law firm had combined with a large full-service firm in Mexico. Since the merger the firm’s headcount in the country has grown to 100 lawyers and business has increased more than 25%.

Along with involvement in several landmark deals over the past year, Hogan Lovells’ lawyers in Mexico provided pro-bono legal advice to more than 50 victims of the devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the region last September.

White & Case hires experienced lawyer for white collar practice
Bingna Guo has joined the global white-collar practice of White & Case in Beijing.

She joins from O’Melveny & Myers where she has spent her entire career to date, including the last 6 years as partner.

Her 20 years of experience includes internal investigations, providing compliance advice and representation on domestic and cross-border matters for multinational companies.

"White & Case continues to grow in Asia-Pacific in line with our 2020 strategy,” said White & Case partner Eric Berg, Head of Asia-Pacific. “Since the beginning of 2015, we've opened two new offices in Australia, where we now have 15 project finance and disputes partners, as well as a new office in Korea. During the same period, eight new lateral partners have joined White & Case in other Asia-Pacific offices in our strategically important disputes, finance and M&A practices."