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Expertise

Trent assists local and international corporations, property trusts and entrepreneurs engaged in the agribusiness, technology, franchising and service industries.

Trent helps clients with mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance and procurement issues. Trent has advised on many recent high profile and significant M&A deals in Queensland, including investment in cattle producers, tourism operators, software providers and quick service restaurant chains.

Trent adopts a commercial approach in his advice and dealings. He is also able to draw upon expertise in intellectual property, trade mark, copyright, licensing and franchising matters. 

Experience

Trent’s recent transaction experience includes:

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • agribusiness — advising significant Queensland agribusiness in connection with joint venture with foreign pension fund
  • agribusiness — advising New Hope Investment Fund in connection with acquisition of Kilcoy abattoir 
  • tourism — advising China Capital Investment Group in connection with purchase of Daydream Island
  • franchising — advising the owners of Pizza Capers franchise system in connection with its sale to Retail Food Group Ltd (ASX:RFG)
  • aviation —advising TAE in connection with a purchase of an avionics business
  • mining services — member of a team advising AJ Lucas in connection with the sale of its underground drilling business to Industrea
  • professional services — advising the owners of accounting firms and a patent attorney in connection with business sales
  • technology — advising in connection with numerous business sales, including acquisition of Map Data Services by Esri Australia
  • telecommunications — advising Reverse Corp Limited (ASX:REF) in connection with acquisitions and dispositions of business divisions
  • transport —advising Queensland Rail in connection with the purchase of IFE Bulk Solutions business
  • transport —advising QR National in connection with the sale of its specialty chemicals business and the purchase of the food transport division of Pittman Transport.

Corporate/Joint Venturing

  • advising large corporations in connection with shareholder agreements and partnership agreements.

Technology

  • licensing — advising a large software reseller in connection with licensing agreements with all levels of Government in Australia, including Government Owned Corporations
  • online retailing — advising online retailers and service providers in connection with website terms and conditions, privacy policies, terms of use, terms of supply and terms of sale.

Trade Marks

  • intellectual property — advising a Superannuation Property Trust in connection with branding and trade mark issues for its property portfolio, including in connection with its major Queensland developments
  • franchising — advising franchised/business systems in connection with trade marks issues.

Franchising

  • advising noodle, coffee and Mexican franchised business systems in connection with franchising and commercial matters.

Manufacturing/Distribution

  • advising international distributor of chemicals in connection with the restructure of its distribution model within Australia and drafting and negotiating related procurement contracts. 

Business Structuring/Agribusiness

  • advising a number of owners of various rural businesses in connection with business structuring and business succession issues.

Personal Property Securities Laws/Australian Consumer Law

  • assisting clients in implementing procedures for compliance with personal security and consumer laws.


During January to March 2011, Trent was seconded as Acting General Counsel for AJ Lucas Coal Technologies Pty Ltd, a mining service contractor (ASX:AJL).

Trent was also a member of a team advising the Queensland Government in connection with the sale of its interests in the Brisbane, Cairns and Mackay Airports. Trent has also acted for Campbell Brothers (as it then was) on the acquisition of ACIRL and for Teys Bros on the acquisition of a business from Receivers and Managers.

Prior to joining Holding Redlich, Trent acted as company secretary for investment banks, insurers, re-insurers and property development companies based in the Middle East.

Publications

17 May 2023 - Knowledge

Protecting your business: Practical steps to navigate contract repudiation

#Corporate & Commercial Law

Repudiation of a contract is a serious matter that can have significant consequences for the contracting parties. How can you protect your rights if you believe that a party has repudiated a contract?

15 March 2023 - Knowledge

Key lessons from ASIC’s first court action against greenwashing by super fund

#Corporate & Commercial Law, #Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), #Superannuation, Funds Management & Financial Services

ASIC has launched its first court action against Mercer Superannuation for allegedly making false claims about its sustainable investment options. What can businesses learn from this case?

01 March 2023 - Knowledge

Australia's Privacy Act review: What you need to know

#Data & Privacy, #Corporate & Commercial Law

The Australian government has released a report proposing 116 changes to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), inviting public feedback by 31 March 2023.

08 June 2022 - Knowledge

Guilty plea to market manipulation following ASIC investigation into online ‘pump and dump’ posts

#Corporate & Commercial Law

ASIC has recently secured a guilty plea from a share trader in its first successful conviction for market manipulation prosecution under section 1041D of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

01 June 2022 - Knowledge

ACCC identifies unfair contract terms in chicken industry

#Competition & Consumer Law, #Agribusiness

An investigation by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has resulted in some of Australia's largest chicken meat processors addressing unfair contract terms with chicken growers.

13 April 2022 - Knowledge

Franchisors beware: Five important changes to penalties and obligations under the Franchising Code

#Corporate & Commercial Law

From 15 April 2022, a raft of changes to the penalties and obligations under the Franchising Code of Conduct will be introduced as part of an ongoing reform to encourage better compliance with existing franchising legislation. We highlight five most important things that franchisors need to know and be prepared for in light of these changes.