Current practice

Al Donald is an experienced corporate lawyer specialising in negotiated acquisitions, joint ventures and private capital fundraising. He is a former Head of Freehills’ national Mergers & Acquisitions group.

Al is a key member of Freehills’ national Private Equity group which offers a specialist service to the industry. He has had a particular focus on this area since the late 1980s and has represented a number of Australia's leading private equity fund managers on both fundraising and transactional work. Practical Law Company’s 2007 Which Lawyer Yearbook ranked Al as one of the two leading private equity lawyers in Australia.

Al has also had significant experience in the resources sector, representing the Peabody group on all aspects of their operations in Australia until their sale to Rio Tinto. He represented Billiton in its merger with BHP, Australia's largest corporate transaction.

Industry experience

Major projects and clients include: BHP/Billiton, PCCW/Telstra, Peabody/Rio Tinto, Fairfax, Hoyts, Futuris/Elders, PBL/ACP, Huntsman Chemical, Bengalla project financing and various acquisitions and disposals for Peabody, CPH, Citibank, Avatar, Lend Lease, Wesfarmers, Downer EDI and a number of private equity funds. Recent private equity acquisitions include Rebel Sport, Paradise Foods, Godfreys, Witchery and Vision Systems.

Professional background

Al has more than 20 years experience in private practice. In Australia he has worked exclusively for Freehills both in the Sydney and Perth offices. He has been a partner of the firm since 1991.

Al worked in New York from 1985 to 1988 with leading US and international law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, specialising in acquisitions and financing work. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1986.

Al is an honours graduate of the University of Western Australia.