Chris Ahern

Partner-in-Charge Sydney/Japan

Sydney + 61.2.8272.0530 Tokyo + 81.3.6744.1662

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Chris Ahern has advised on Australian corporate law for over 20 years. His practice focuses on M&A, particularly in the technology and energy sectors.

He has advised on numerous transactions for Fortune 500 companies, and his experience in corporate law covers the full range of M&A, including court-approved mergers by scheme of arrangement, venture capital, development capital, private placements, public to private transactions, as well as private company M&A work. Chris acted for First Data Corporation on its $22 billion acquisition by KKR, Lowe's Home Improvement on their multibillion dollar joint venture with Australia's largest retailer, USG on their $2.5 billion pan-Asian joint venture with Boral, and multiple acquisitions in the technology and energy sectors.

Chris also has significant experience in distressed M&A, having acted for Lucent on the $2.5 billion collapse of One-Tel (including the appointment of a Receiver over most of the assets of One-Tel and the workout that followed), Lehman Brothers Holdings on their collapse (including advising on the DOCA between the company and CDO holders), and acting for Cyrus Capital on their bid for Virgin Australia, Australia's second airline.

He also advises on joint ventures (incorporated and unincorporated) and complex alliance arrangements in the technology and fintech sectors and is skilled at dealing with intellectual property and software licensing issues that arise in such transactions, including open source software obligations, payment processing, and joint development arrangements.

Chris commenced the Australian law practice for Jones Day in 2006 and has been named in Chambers legal directories as a leading lawyer since 2001. Prior to joining Jones Day, he was a partner at one of Australia's national law firms.

Experience

  • Chevron and MOECO agree to explore advanced closed loop geothermal pilot in Hokkaido, JapanJones Day advised Chevron New Energies on its agreement with Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., Ltd (MOECO) to proceed with the pilot testing of advanced geothermal technology, specifically advanced closed loop (ACL) technology.
  • DIC acquires photoresist polymers manufacturer PCAS CanadaJones Day advised DIC Corporation, a Japanese chemicals group operating globally in over 60 countries, in connection with its acquisition of Quebec-based PCAS Canada Inc., a company that manufactures and sells polymers used in photoresists for semiconductor photolithography, from PCAS S.A., a French company.
  • Marelli Group first-ever use of simplified rehabilitation proceedings in Japan to cram-down creditorsJones Day represented Marelli Holdings Co., Ltd. in the restructuring of its US$7 billion senior debt facilities, which included the coordination and implementation of a sponsor selection process, an out-of-court Turnaround ADR process, and the first-ever use of simplified rehabilitation proceedings in Japan to cram-down creditors, and the subsequent implementation and documentation of its restructured financing arrangements across sixteen different jurisdictions outside Japan.
  • STERIS acquires Cantel Medical for $3.6 billionJones Day advised STERIS plc in its acquisition of Cantel Medical Corp, a global provider of infection prevention products and services primarily to endoscopy and dental customers, for $3.6 billion.
  • ReadyTech Holdings acquires Open OfficeJones Day advised ReadyTech Holdings Limited in its acquisition of leading software provider, Open Office and McGirr (collectively Open Office), which services the government and justice sector, from Pentagon Holdco Pty Ltd.
  • PolyOne acquires Clariant color and additive masterbatch business for $1.5 billionJones Day advised PolyOne Corporation in the $1.5 billion purchase of Clariant’s global color and additive masterbatch business.
  • USG acquired by Gebr. Knauf for $7 billionJones Day advised USG Corporation in the acquisition by Gebr. Knauf KG ("Knauf") of all of the outstanding shares of USG in a transaction valued at $7 billion.
  • Lennox International sells refrigeration businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia to Beijer Ref ABJones Day advised Lennox International Inc. in the sale of its refrigeration businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia to Beijer Ref AB.
  • Lowe's exits from Masters Home Improvement joint venture with Woolworths in AustraliaJones Day provided strategic advice and assisted Lowe's Companies, Inc. with various aspects of its exit from a joint venture with Woolworths Limited, with respect to the Masters hardware and home improvement retail business established by the joint venture in Australia and New Zealand.
  • GfK sells animal and crop health divisionJones Day represented GfK SE, a market research provider, in connection with the sale of its global animal and crop health division to a consortium consisting of Inflexion, a private equity investor, and the current management.
  • USG forms $1.6 billion plasterboard and ceilings joint venture with Boral Limited in Asia, Australia, and Middle EastJones Day advised USG Corporation in its formation of a strategic 50/50 $1.6 billion plasterboard and ceilings joint venture with Boral Limited in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, known as USG Boral Building Products.
  • NEP acquires Global Television from CatalystJones Day advised NEP Group, Inc., a portfolio company of Crestview Partners, in connection with its acquisition of Global Television, Australia's leading provider of outsourced television production services, from Catalyst Investment Managers.
  • Computer Sciences Corporation divests Paxus to Adcorp HoldingsJones Day advised Computer Sciences Corporation on the divestiture of Paxus, its Australian IT recruitment services unit, to Adcorp Holdings Limited (a JSE listed company and South Africa's largest employment services provider), for US$73.5 million.
  • Applied Industrial Technologies acquires SFK's company-owned distribution businesses in Australia and New ZealandJones Day advised Applied Industrial Technologies in its acquisition of SKF's company-owned distribution businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
  • J.F. Lehman portfolio company acquires maritime interests of Chemring MarineJones Day advised long-standing client J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading mid-market private equity firm focused on the defense, aerospace, and maritime sectors, in connection with the £32 million (US$50 million) acquisition and related financing by portfolio company Drew Marine of the maritime interests of Chemring Group PLC, a designer, manufacturer, and seller of counter-improvised explosive device (IED) equipment, countermeasures, pyrotechnics, and munitions.
  • Large global retailer acquires GrabbleJones Day advised a large global retailer in its acquisition of Grabble, an Australian start-up company incorporated as a vehicle for the sale of hand-held devices point of sale receipt generation technology, including software and hardware.
  • Computer Sciences Corporation acquires iSOFT Group for A$437 million (US$452 million)Jones Day advised Computer Sciences Corporation in its acquisition of iSOFT Group Limited, one of the world's largest providers of advanced healthcare IT solutions, for A$437 million (US$452 million), by way of a court-approved scheme of arrangement.
  • Potash Corporation successfully defends historic $43.1 billion hostile takeover bidFollowing an arduous three-month battle, Jones Day's client, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc., successfully repelled BHP Billiton's hostile $43.1 billion tender offer for all of PotashCorp's shares in November 2010.
  • Schneider Electric acquires SCADAgroup for AU$200 million ($186.3 million)Jones Day advised Schneider Electric Asia Pacific Limited in its acquisition of SCADAgroup, an Australian-based leading provider of telemetry products and solutions for the water and waste-water, oil & gas; gas and electric power end-market segments.
  • Sumitomo Chemical acquires 20% of NuFarm for $622 millionJones Day advised Sumitomo Chemical, a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange ("Sumitomo") in its strategic investment and alliance with Nufarm Limited, a company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and one of Australia's largest agro-chemical companies with an annual turnover in excess of $2.6 billion.
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    September 30, 2024 Firm Hosted

    Round Table Conference: Global Perspective on the World

    October 4, 2023 Firm Hosted

    Symposium: Why the “Rule of Law” Matters More Than Ever

    May 2021 Commentary

    Japan's Amended Payment Services Act Could Prompt More Nonbank Entries Into Traditional Banking Services

    December 2020 White Paper

    2020 Cross-Border Corporate Criminal Liability Survey

    October 2020 White Paper

    New Insolvency Processes for Small Australian Businesses

    September 2020 Commentary

    Grounded: Virgin Australia Reaffirms the Australian Takeovers Panel’s Narrow Role in Distressed Transactions

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    October 2019 Commentary

    APRA v. IOOF—Key Issues for Australian Directors and Management

    November 2018 White Paper

    Blockchain for Business

    October 2018 Commentary

    Game Changer for Cryptocurrency in Germany? Court Holds No License Required to Trade Bitcoins
    View All

    September 30, 2024 Firm Hosted

    Round Table Conference: Global Perspective on the World

    October 4, 2023 Firm Hosted

    Symposium: Why the “Rule of Law” Matters More Than Ever

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