“James Burchnall was key to the oversight of works undertaken and was able to provide support to move through challenges. He provided excellent leadership of the overall transaction. He was instrumental in providing breakthroughs in various negotiations.”
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Specialisation
James is the leader of our Public M&A and Equity Capital Markets practice. He is a current member of the Australian Takeovers Panel and has extensive experience working in top-tier corporate law firms in Australia and London, on complex public and private M&A and capital raising transactions.
James’ experience includes leading the Kain Lawyers teams advising:
- SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on its acquisition by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) (a subsidiary of Wesfarmers (ASX:WES)) by way of scheme of arrangement for approximately $180 million;
- Symphony Infrastructure Partners on its $488 million Series-A financing round, and on its acquisitions of RJE Global, Catalpa Group, Energy3 and Clutch;
- Kelsian Group (ASX:KLS) on its US$325 million (~A$487 million) acquisition of All Aboard America! Holdings Inc. and the associated A$281 million capital raising;
- Waveconn on its acquisition of AT Australia from American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) and the acquisition of a significant portfolio of mobile tower and rooftop sites from Optus;
- Kelsian Group (ASX:KLS) on its $698 million (including up to $63 million contingent consideration) acquisition of Transit Systems Group, together with a $154 million capital raise by accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer and placement;
- ROC Partners on its $350 million+ competitive takeover bid for Vitalharvest (ASX:VTH);
- Kelsian Group (ASX:KLS) on its $125 million acquisition of Transit Systems Marine, and the associated capital raising of $51 million, and on Kelsian’s acquisition of the Kingfisher Bay Resort Group for $43 million;
- Ellex Medical Lasers Limited (ASX:ELX) on its capital raising of $23.2 million from US and Australian institutional and sophisticated investors;
- Alcidion Group Limited (ASX:ALC) on its acquisition of MKM Health and UK-based Patientrack; and
- Stilmark Group on its bid for the Optus tower portfolio and on the sale of Stilmark to OMERS Infrastructure.
Awards and recognition
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The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2027
Lawyer of the year in the area of Equity Capital Markets
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The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2026
Lawyer of the year in the area of Venture Capital
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The Doyle's Guide 2026
Ranked as Leading in the area of Corporate Law (since 2019)
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The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2025
Lawyer of the year in the area of Mergers and Acquisitions
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The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024
Recognised as Recommended in the area of Corporate M&A
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The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024
Lawyer of the year in the area of Equity Capital Markets
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The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2023
Lawyer of the year in the area of Venture Capital
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The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022
Recognised as Recommended in the area of Corporate M&A
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The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2022
Lawyer of the year in the area of Equity Capital Markets