Warren Scott

Expertise

Warren is a globally recognised expert in mergers and acquisitions, corporate, commercial, distribution and franchising legal work.

For many years Warren has successfully led a team providing premium legal services, and is best known for his in-depth knowledge and long term relationships that enable him to provide a commercial and value added service.

Warren is currently recognised as Lawyer of the Year for Melbourne in specialist Corporate Law by peer reviewed international guide, Best Lawyers. He is also recognised in global publications Who’s Who and Legal 500.

Holding a Masters in Commercial Law from Melbourne University with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, competition law and international trade, Warren brings cutting edge expertise to the fore in his advice and strategy work.

Understanding the competition and consumer laws intimately, Warren has helped many clients with merger clearances, notifications and authorisation applications to the ACCC and responding to ACCC enforcement action. Having an understanding of the latest views of the ACCC on enforcement of competition and consumer laws allows Warren to guide his clients in proactive management of key risk issues ahead of any enforcement action. In this regard, unfair contract laws have been introduced with broad statutory definition. Understanding what is unfair and not is key as penalties in this area will soon match those for price fixing and cartel conduct’s financial penalties.

Warren advises boards and advisory boards on structuring and strategic activities. He also holds board positions and is involved with private equity, giving him a day to day understanding of the key issues for boards in the modern world. Properly planned structures for growth, appropriate shareholder agreements and management of director’s risks are all key to Warren’s approach. He will work in with tax and accounting advisors domestically and internationally to deliver market leading outcomes.

Over time, Warren has found a substantial increase in the cross border activity that his clients are involved in. His experience in undertaking multi-jurisdictional mergers and acquisitions managing teams internationally is one of Warren’s strengths. Also, Warren is a recognised expert in structuring and strategy in respect of domestic and international networks, utilisng distribution networks, franchising and capital markets. His clients in this area range from startup businesses to internationally recognised brands.

Experience

Warren’s Transactional experience includes:

• acting for Hardwicks Meatworks, a beef and lamb processor, in relation to a range of commercial matters including key strategic contracts
• advising Rainbow Valley Turkeys on the sale of its land and businesses for its multi-site Turkey breeding operation to Baiada
• advising on the $15.2m sale of the St David Dairy business to the publicly listed Longtable Group (now Maggie Beer)
• acting for Marvel Packers Pty Ltd in connection with the sale of its potato-based products business to private equity firms Silverfern Group and Direct Capital
• acting for Australian Pharmaceuticals (largest tablet manufacturer for Swisse Vitamins) on sale to PACT (ASX:PGH) advising the Queensland Government on the A$7.06 billion sale (by competitive sale process) of Queensland Motorways to a consortium of investors, the largest ever transport infrastructure transaction in Australia
• acting for TM Insight, leading smart warehousing consultancy on its growth via private equity investment
• creation of the largest physiotherapy group in Australia/New Zealand acting for the Back in Motion Group on their sale to Healthia (ASX:HLA)
• acted for Cox group (an international company based out of the US) on the buyout of Newscorp from the CarsGuide business and the creation of a new entity to operate the Manheim, CarsGuide and Autotrader together with the largest dealer groups in Australia, including ASX listed groups. This transaction was effected by scheme of arrangement
• acting for Australian Pharmaceuticals (largest tablet manufacturer for Swisse Vitamins) on sale to Pact (ASX:PGH)
• acted for TM Insight, leading smart warehousing consultancy, on its growth via private equity investment
• acting for Silk Laser (ASX:SLA) since Advent private equity investment, in relation to growth via franchising, joint venture and acquisition
• acting for O’Brien (part of the global Belron Group) on its growth and distribution strategy including acquisition of Laser Plumbing and Electrical
• advising Fitness and Lifestyle group including acquisition of Jetts and matters related to Fitness First, Goodlife and Hypoxy
• advising Buchan on its equity investment by Nikken Sekkei and merger of state based offices into single national firm
• advising not-for-profit group, Inner Norther Group Training, on its governance and corporate structure and multiple bolt on acquisitions
• advising M3 on the merger of its state based businesses into a single national entity
• advising corporates on their distribution strategy and implementation
• establishing and advising franchise groups including Price Attack, Bank of Queensland, Kenworth Trucks, Toro, Jetts, Silk Laser, O’Brien and many others.

Warren also has extensive experience in:

• mergers and acquisitions
• structuring advice
• private equity
• shareholders agreements
• distribution agreements
• franchising
• supply chain advice
• international trade advice.