Bio

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.