Mark Fairbairn
Consultant, Melbourne
Phone +61 3 9288 1455
Fax +61 3 9288 1567
mark.fairbairn@freehills.com

Current practice

Mark Fairbairn is a consultant in the Corporate section of Freehills, Melbourne and is a member of that section's Head Office Advisory team. Previously, he was a partner in the Corporate section for nearly 30 years.

His expertise embraces many aspects of commercial and corporate advisory law.

Mark's work includes general corporate practice, and head office work involving advice to the most senior management of the firm's clients.

Freehills benefit from his experience of more than 35 years, practising in both England and Australia.

His clients include many of the firm's key corporate clients, most of which are listed companies and which, since January 2002, he now advises in his role as a consultant to the firm.

His practice includes advice on corporations law, securities laws, constitutions, stock exchange listing rules, corporate governance issues and annual company reports. He also prepares documentation for special business at shareholders' meetings.

Industry experience

Mark assists clients with the purchase and sale of businesses and shares, and in commercial joint venture arrangements.

His expertise includes the development of executive and employee share plans, share option and dividend plans, the preparation of service agreements for key employees and advice on company meetings.

He has acted as a director of Valmet (ANZ) Pty Ltd. The Valmet group is one of the world's largest manufacturers of heavy engineering equipment for the paper making industry.

Professional background

Mark studied at Britain's Cambridge University where he gained his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees. He is admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England, and in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland. A member of the UK Law Society, he joined Freehills in 1970, became a partner in 1973 and is now a consultant.