Justin Fox

Partner, Head of Corporate – Melbourne

Justin enjoys participating in his clients’ success. For over 25 years, Justin has guided international investors, ASX listed companies and institutional capital through their most important strategic transactions. He is admired for his practical approach to problem solving, and enjoys developing and maintaining long standing client relationships.

Justin has substantial experience advising on foreign investment approvals, takeovers, schemes of arrangement and private treaty mergers and acquisitions. He operates a truly international practice, having spent much of his early career working in South-East Asia.

Justin works across a range of industry sectors, including media, financial services, digital and technology. He is a trusted adviser to boards and regularly advises his ASX listed clients on their continuous disclosure and compliance obligations.

Prior to joining Hamilton Locke, Justin led the Melbourne corporate practice at Corrs Chambers Westgarth where he was a partner for nearly 20 years.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Mergers and acquisitions, Takeovers and Schemes of arrangement, Technology, Financial Services, Foreign Investment (FIRB), Corporate Governance, Directors Duties, ASX Listing Rules.

AWARDS

Best Lawyer (Australia), Corporate Governance, 2010 – 2025
Best Lawyers (Australia), Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2010 – 2025
Best Lawyer (Australia), Corporate Law, 2010 – 2025
Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions (Recommended Lawyer), 2020
Doyle’s Guide – Leading Corporate Lawyers Victoria (Recommended Lawyer), 2016-2022

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Laws/Arts – Monash University
Graduate Diploma of Asian Law – University of Melbourne
Admitted to practice in 1994

SELECTED REPRESENTATIONS

Advised the founders of MyConnect on the sale of the company to Origin.
Acted for Barrick Gold in its negotiations with the Independent State of Papua New Guinea regarding the restructuring of equity interests in the Porgera Gold Mine, which included the transfer of 51% of the equity in the mine to local interests and the establishment of a new joint venture vehicle to own the mine.
Advised on the sale of BP’s Australian bitumen business to Puma Energy and the sale of BP’s South Australian retail network.
Advised AED Oil on the establishment of a US$940 million joint venture with Sinopec International Petroleum, including the sale of 60% of the Puffin and Talbot oil fields.
Advised Vodafone Australia on its $6 billion merger with the Australian mobile business of Hutchison Whampoa.
Advised the Princely Family of Liechtenstein, through their private wealth business, LGT Foundation, on the acquisition of Crestone Wealth Management for a purchase price of up to $450 million.
Advised Wesfarmers on the acquisition of Catch Holdings Limited, the owner and operator of Catch of the Day digital marketplace.
Advised Singapore Airlines on their shareholding in Virgin Australia Holdings Limited, including participation in a $852 million entitlement offer.
Advised REA on the acquisition of Hometrack Australia from Zillow and on the establishment of joint venture arrangements with NAB for the development of an automated mortgage application product.
Advised Amcor Limited on the sale of its Australian and New Zealand PET, Food Can and Aerosol Can businesses.
Advised FNZ on the acquisition of the Australian investment platforms business of UBS.
Advised SABMiller on the Australian aspects of the £71 billion global takeover offer received from ABI.
Advised Foster’s on the demerger of Treasury Wine Estates Limited by way of scheme of arrangement.
Advised Southern Cross Media Group on $170 million placement and accelerated entitlement offer.
Advised Foster’s on the successful $3.7 billion hostile takeover offer for Southcorp Limited.
Advised Southern Cross Media Group Limited on its $740 million takeover offer for Austereo.
Acted for the owners of Symbion Health on the $1.3 billion merger with EBOS Group Limited.
Advised Australian Business Growth Fund on their investment in INSKIN COSMEDICS.