James Burchnall 5YEARSAWARDED

James Burchnall

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018
Awarded Practice Areas
Equity Capital Markets Law Commercial Law Corporate / Governance Practice Corporate Law Investment Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Private Equity Law Venture Capital Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2027 edition in Adelaide.
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2027 - Equity Capital Markets Law
James Burchnall
James Burchnall
Adelaide, AU
Works at
Kain Lawyers

14 Best Lawyers awards

Kain Lawyers logo

Biography

James is the leader of our Public M&A and Capital Markets practice. He is a current member of the Australian Takeovers Panel and has extensive experience working in top-tier corporate law firms in Australia and London, on complex public and private M&A and capital raising transactions.

James’ experience includes leading the Kain teams advising:

  • SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on its acquisition by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) (a subsidiary of Wesfarmers (ASX:WES)) by way of scheme of arrangement for approximately $180 million;
  • Symphony Infrastructure Partners on its $488 million Series-A financing round, and on its acquisitions of RJE Global, Catalpa Group, Energy3 and Clutch;
  • Kelsian Group (ASX:KLS) on its US$325 million (~A$487 million) acquisition of All Aboard America! Holdings Inc. and the associated A$281 million capital raising;
  • Waveconn on its acquisition of AT Australia from American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) and the acquisition of a significant portfolio of mobile tower and rooftop sites from Optus;
  • Kelsian Group (ASX:KLS) on its $698 million (including up to $63 million contingent consideration) acquisition of Transit Systems Group, together with a $154 million capital raise by accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer and placement;
  • ROC Partners on its $350 million+ competitive takeover bid for Vitalharvest (ASX:VTH);
  • Kelsian Group (ASX:KLS) on its $125 million acquisition of Transit Systems Marine, and the associated capital raising of $51 million, and on Kelsian’s acquisition of the Kingfisher Bay Resort Group for $43 million;
  • Ellex Medical Lasers Limited (ASX:ELX) on its capital raising of $23.2 million from US and Australian institutional and sophisticated investors;
  • Alcidion Group Limited (ASX:ALC) on its acquisition of MKM Health and UK-based Patientrack; and
  • Stilmark Group on its bid for the Optus tower portfolio and on the sale of Stilmark to OMERS Infrastructure.

James is recognised as a leading M&A and Equity Capital Markets lawyer. He has been named as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in the Legal 500 2024 Asia Pacific Edition in the area of Corporate M&A and is listed in the 2026 Doyle’s Guide as a ‘Leading Lawyer’ in the Corporate category.

Works at
Kain Lawyers

14 Best Lawyers awards

Kain Lawyers logo

Locations

Client Testimonials

James acted professionally at all times and consistently delivered work in a timely and reliable manner. He effectively managed the overall workload and coordinated his team to deliver high-quality, consistent outcomes. As a client, this gave me confidence that once a matter was raised, it would be progressed promptly and delivered without the need for repeated follow-up. While the matters involved were often complex, James clearly and consistently demonstrated a high degree of competence. He was able to distill complicated issues into clear, practical advice, ensuring I understood the risks, options, and next steps at each stage. James was always accessible, made time to address queries, and approached each issue with professionalism and sound judgment.

Shad Dunlop (Monument Wave Parks)

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2027 - Equity Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Venture Capital Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Equity Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Venture Capital Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Equity Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Venture Capital Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Equity Capital Markets Law, Adelaide, Australia (2027)
  • Venture Capital Law, Adelaide, Australia (2026)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Adelaide, Australia (2025)
  • Equity Capital Markets Law, Adelaide, Australia (2024)
  • Venture Capital Law, Adelaide, Australia (2023)
  • Equity Capital Markets Law, Adelaide, Australia (2022)
  • Venture Capital Law, Adelaide, Australia (2021)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Adelaide, Australia (2019)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Australia 2027 for work in:
  • Commercial Law
  • Corporate / Governance Practice
  • Corporate Law
  • Equity Capital Markets Law
  • Investment Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Private Equity Law
  • Venture Capital Law

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