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Atanaskovic Hartnell is a boutique corporate law firm providing legal advisory and litigation services from its primary headquarters in Sydney, Australia, alongside an international office in London. The firm specializes in corporate and commercial law, focusing extensively on complex mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, taxation, and securities for large corporations, multinational media conglomerates, and financial institutions. The legal practice has advised on significant global transactions, including Glencore International's $280 million takeover of Minara Resources, and supported Glencore after it raised over $10 billion for European acquisitions. Operating with a concentrated professional team that includes four dedicated lawyers in its London branch, the firm has historically represented major multinational corporate clients such as News Corporation and Crown Resorts in complex, high-stakes commercial dispute resolution. Atanaskovic Hartnell was founded in 1993 by John Atanaskovic and Tony Hartnell.
Key people at Atanaskovic Hartnell.
Key people at Atanaskovic Hartnell.
Atanaskovic Hartnell (AH) is a boutique Australian law firm based in Sydney, specializing in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), finance, taxation, private equity, and venture capital advisory.[1][2][3][5] The firm advises on high-profile transactions, including public and private M&A, joint ventures, capital markets, and reformulating venture capital and private equity models, positioning it as a key player in Australia's business legal landscape.[2][3] While not an investment firm itself, AH supports the startup and investment ecosystem through its expertise in deal structuring and corporate advisory, often involved in landmark Australian deals.[3]
Founded by John Atanaskovic and Tony Hartnell, AH emerged as a prominent corporate law practice in Australia, with Atanaskovic recognized as Australia's leading business lawyer by Chambers Global and one of the world's top ten corporate lawyers by UK Legal Business.[3] Tony Hartnell, now a consultant, brought distinguished experience from government service as the founding chairman of the Australian Securities Commission and holds senior board roles in ASX-listed companies.[3] The firm's evolution has centered on high-stakes corporate transactions, growing through partners like Lawson Jepps (M&A specialist with London and Australian top-tier experience) and recent promotions such as James Wheeldon to partner in M&A and corporate practice.[3][4]
AH rides the wave of Australia's maturing venture capital and private equity ecosystem, advising on deal structures amid rising startup funding and M&A activity in tech, infrastructure, and tourism sectors.[2][3] Timing aligns with global capital flows into APAC, where regulatory savvy—like navigating Corporations Act matters and securities compliance—is critical for cross-border tech deals.[3][7] Market forces favoring AH include demand for agile boutique firms over larger ones for high-profile, efficient transactions, influencing the ecosystem by enabling smoother capital raises and exits for startups and investors.[2][3]
AH's influence will likely grow with Australia's tech boom, focusing on VC/PE reforms and international M&A as economic recovery accelerates post-2025.[2][3] Trends like AI-driven deals and sustainable infrastructure will shape its trajectory, potentially expanding its London presence for APAC-Europe bridges.[5] As a dealmaker for landmark transactions, AH remains pivotal in scaling the startup ecosystem, tying back to its founding ethos of elite, commercially sharp legal support.[3]
