Craig Semple

Partner
Melbourne

Biography

Craig is a partner in our Corporate Advisory group.

He specialises in general corporate and commercial law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, takeovers and schemes of arrangement and equity capital markets. He also regularly advises listed companies in relation to corporate governance and securities law issues, such as meetings, directors' liabilities, insider trading and ASX Listing Rules and Corporations Law compliance.

Craig is regarded as one of Australia’s leading M&A lawyers, recognised in all the major legal directories. Best Lawyers Australia has recognised Craig since 2010 in the areas of Corporate Law, Corporate/Governance Practice, Equity Capital Markets Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Private Equity Law. Best Lawyers Australia named Craig as Melbourne 'Lawyer of the Year' for Corporate/Governance practice in 2024.  He has also been named Melbourne Lawyer of the Year in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016 and 2014 for his work in Mergers & Acquisition Law, Equity Capital Markets, Corporate/Governance practice, Private Equity, Corporate Law and Mining Law.

Doyle's Guide recently recognised Craig in its 'Preeminent' category for corporate lawyers in Victoria.

Craig holds degrees in Law (Honours) and Economics (Honours) from Monash University and has lectured in Economics at Monash University and in Corporations Law for the Securities Institute of Australia.

Experience

Craig’s experience includes advising:

  • IOOF (now Insignia Financial) in respect of the $975 million acquisition of ANZ’s One Path Pensions and Investments and aligned dealer groups businesses, and associated separation and transitional services arrangements.

  • AB InBev in respect of the $16 billion sale of Carlton & United Breweries to Asahi Group, the largest private M&A deal in Australia in 2019.

  • IFM in respect of its investment in and subsequent sale of its interest in Payapps and My Plan Manager.

  • Connect East (Horizon Road) in respect of the sale process being conducted by its shareholders of shares held by those shareholders.

  • 468 SPAC, a special purpose acquisition vehicle listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in acquiring all of the shares in Marley Spoon, including through acquiring all of the CDIs that Marley Spoon has listed on the ASX and follow up unsolicited offer.

  • PEXA in respect of various investments in, or acquisitions of .id Consulting, Slate Analytics, Elula, OPEX Contracts and Landchecker.

  • SS&C Technologies in respect of its proposal to acquire GBST Holdings by scheme of arrangement, proposal to acquire Mainstream Group by scheme of arrangement and acquisition of IRESS’s funds administration business.

  • Spotless in respect of its defence of a hostile takeover offer from Downer EDI, and subsequent minority 'mop-up' offer.

  • Xero Limited and its subsidiary, Xero Investments Limited, on its US$925m listed convertible notes and associated call spread arrangements.

  • Opthea in respect of its US$128.1 million American Depositary Share NASDAQ listing, and subsequent capital raisings, including its 2024 $171.5 million placement and rights offer (and associated offer of options).

  • Enlitic on its $21 million IPO and ASX listing, its subsequent $22.5m equity raising and associated shareholder approval and acquisition of Laitek.

  • Goldman Sachs in relation to its role as lead manager, bookrunner and underwriter to Ansell Limited’s institutional placement to raise approximately $400 million. 

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 - 2025

    Ranked in the Corporate/M&A category.

  • The Best Lawyers in Australia 2010 - 2024

    Recognised by Best Lawyers Australia since 2010 in the areas of Corporate Law, Corporate/Governance Practice, Equity Capital Markets Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Private Equity Law. Named 2022 ‘Lawyer of the Year (Melbourne)’ for Mergers and Acquisitions Law. He has also been named Lawyer of the Year in 2024, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016 and 2014 for his work in Equity Capital Markets, Corporate/Governance practice, Private Equity and Corporate Law.

  • Doyle's Guide 2024

    Craig is recognised as a 'Leading' Business & Commercial Lawyer in Victoria

  • Doyle's Guide 2024

    Craig is recognised as a 'Preeminent' Corporate Lawyer in Victoria

  • The Best Lawyers in Australia 2024

    Craig was named Melbourne ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for Corporate / Governance practice

Testimonials

Client first thinking

He is a very good practitioner, very good to deal with and very capable.

Chambers Asia-Pacific

Craig is appreciated for his 'immense knowledge of M&A in Australia,' and is lauded as 'an exceptionally gifted lawyer who is comfortable with both the micro and macro aspects of the transaction'.

Chambers Asia-Pacific

Blessed with an intellect and energy and comprehensive industry experience but with a modest interactive style.

IFLR1000

Craig is 'a brilliant negotiator with a truly intellectual capacity and an ability to cut to the chase on what matters'.

Chambers Asia-Pacific
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