Mark Crean leads the Firm's Australian M&A team with more than 20 years of experience in M&A, restructurings, and private equity. He is highly accomplished at helping clients on complex transactions and finding solutions to difficult issues. He covers many industry sectors, particularly financial services and financial institutions, media, telecommunications, funds, and real estate.
Prior to joining Jones Day in 2015, Mark was deputy senior partner at a leading international law firm. Prior to that, he was chair of one of Australia's preeminent law firms and instrumental in negotiating their international merger. In 2006, he was seconded as group general counsel to ASX-listed, global real estate and development group Lend Lease Corporation at the request of its CEO. When Mark won the Lawyers Weekly "Dealmaker Award" at the 2013 Australian Law Awards, a client was quoted saying: "in the heat of battle, Mark's ability to distil and communicate the key points and create a consensus around the table exceeds any other lawyer I have worked with…"
Mark is a member of the Corporations Committee and the Foreign Investment Committee of the Law Council of Australia and the Advisory Committee of the Asia Society Australasia.
Experience
Pepper Group acquired by KKR in A$675.9 million scheme of arrangement
Jones Day advised Pepper Group Limited ("Pepper") on the acquisition of a controlling interest in Pepper by way of scheme of arrangement by an affiliate of KKR, a leading global investment firm.
Cardinal Health acquires leading patient product portfolio from Medtronic for $6.1 billion
Jones Day advised Cardinal Health on the acquisition of Medtronic's Patient Care, Deep Vein Thrombosis and Nutritional Insufficiency businesses for $6.1 billion in cash.
Highlands Pacific Limited defeats Board spill motions
Jones Day advised Highlands Pacific Limited (HIG) on a Board spill requisition and subsequent special meeting of shareholders where the Board spill motions were defeated.
Highlands seeks counsel regarding dispute under Frieda River joint venture with PanAust
Jones Day is acting for Highlands Pacific on the feasibility study dispute under the Frieda River joint venture agreement with PanAust Ltd.
Kaplan acquires Red Marker
Jones Day advised Kaplan Inc. on its acquisition, acting through Kaplan Australia Pty Ltd, of all of the issued share capital of Red Marker Pty Ltd together with all vested and unvested options for shares issued by the company.
Key management advised on sale by KKR of its interest in GenesisCare to China Resources Group and Macquarie Capital
Jones Day advised Key management, including Dan Collins (CEO) and David Vaux (Chairman), in connection with the sale by KKR & Co. of its interest in GenesisCare Limited, a healthcare provider, to China Resources Group and Macquarie Capital, including advising on options relating to the CEO and Chairman's current shareholdings in the company and a new management equity plan for the CEO and Chairman.
CIC Capital part of A$9.05 billion (US$6.75 billion) consortium for takeover of Asciano, one of the most complex transactions in Australia in recent times and largest deal in 2016
Jones Day acted for CIC Capital Corporation on the A$9.05 billion (US$6.75 billion) takeover of rail and ports operator, Asciano, by a consortium including Brookfield, Qube Holdings, CPPIB, GIP, CIC Capital, GIC, Qatar Investment Authority, and bcIMC.
Additional Publications
- March 2018ASX Releases Continuous Disclosure Guidance on the Insolvent Trading Safe Harbour
- February 2018Australian Government Further Tightens FIRB Controls, Now Over Critical Electricity Assets
- February 2018Australian Government Tries to "Level the Playing Field" for Purchases of Agricultural Land
- February 2018Has Australia's Takeovers Panel Turned the "Tap" on to More "Association" Proceedings?
- January 20182017 Annual M&A Review
- October 2017Australia's Banking Executive Accountability Regime: A Dangerous Bill
- September 2017Changes to Australia's Media Ownership Regime Pave Way for Mergers and Acquisitions
- August 2017Shareholder Activism Dealt a Blow in Australia's Federal Court
- September 2016Late Payment Fees Not Penalties: High Court of Australia Rebuffs Bank Fees Class Action
- April 2016Australian Takeovers Panel Decision Raises Uncertainty about the Valuation Disclosure Obligations of Target Company Directors
- April 2016Australian Takeovers Panel Releases Reasons for Decision but Fails to Clarify Valuation Disclosure Obligations of Target Company Directors
- April 2016The Changing Role of Australian Boards in Oversight of Corporate Culture
- March 2016New Taxation Conditions to be Imposed on Investors as Australia's Foreign Investment Law Overhaul Continues
- Inns of Court School of Law, Gray's Inn (Called to the Bar 1981); Leeds University (LL.B. Hons. 1980)
- Supreme Courts of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia and High Court of Australian Capital Territory
Acritas "Star Lawyer" (2018)
Best Lawyers Australia 2017 — corporate/governance, defamation and media, M&A, private equity, and telecommunications law
Best Lawyers International — M&A, private equity, corporate governance, media, and telecommunications
IFLR 1000 — M&A
Doyle's Guide — leading corporate/M&A lawyers
Dealmaker of the Year 2013 — Lawyers Weekly