Top Sydney M&A Lawyer Phil Breden Joins A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman has announced that Phil Breden, one of Australia’s most highly regarded M&A lawyers, will join the firm as a partner in Sydney.
Phil brings extensive experience advising on public and private M&A, shareholder activism and corporate governance. His practice spans multiple sectors, with particular expertise in energy, digital infrastructure, retail, utilities, real estate, insurance, manufacturing and gaming. He advises large ASX-listed companies and European and US-based multinationals.
Phil will co-lead the Australian Corporate and M&A team alongside Michael Parshall.
Peter McDonald, A&O Shearman’s co-managing partner of Australia, said: ‘Phil’s appointment is a key step in the continued build-out of our corporate practice in Australia. Following Clayton James’s announcement earlier this year, Phil brings the seniority, market recognition and leadership to further grow our M&A team in Australia. His deep client relationships and international outlook make him an outstanding fit for our firm.’
David Broadley, global co-head of M&A, added: ‘Phil is one of the most respected M&A practitioners in Australia, and his arrival is a clear statement of our ambition in one of Asia-Pacific’s largest and most active M&A markets. As cross-border activity into and out of Australia continues to grow, Phil’s standing with ASX-listed corporates and the investment banking community adds significant strength to our practice and deepens our ability to deliver for clients on their most significant and complex transactions.’
Phil joins A&O Shearman from Ashurst Perkins Coie, where he served as a member of the global board, global co-head of Corporate and head of the Australia region.
Phil’s arrival follows the appointment of M&A and private equity partner Clayton James in Sydney, announced in February, and marks the latest step in a sustained investment to expand the firm’s corporate and M&A capability in Australia.
About A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman was formed in 2024 through the merger of two historic firms, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling. With nearly 4,000 lawyers across more than 40 countries, the firm advises on complex, multijurisdictional matters spanning corporate and M&A, capital markets, disputes, finance, and advisory and regulatory work. Its lawyers collectively advise more than a third of NYSE-listed businesses, a fifth of the NASDAQ, and a significant proportion of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, Euronext, Euronext Paris, and the Tokyo and Hong Kong stock exchanges.