About Phillip Cornwell
Phillip was a partner of the firm from 1984 to 2016. Project finance and acquisition financing are Phillip's principal areas of expertise. Rated as one of the world's top project finance and banking and finance lawyers, his depth of experience and knowledge is hugely beneficial to clients.
Phillip's strengths lie in his deep understanding of clients' businesses and their commercial objectives, and his ability to prioritise the legal issues and achieve innovative results. While partner Phillip headed the Allens Project Finance Group.
Phillip has advised on recent major power, infrastructure and resources projects in the Asia Pacific region. He has also played a significant role in private equity driven leveraged acquisitions since their inception in this country.
Phillip led the firm's teams on landmark financing deals such as the $5 billion acquisition of Sydney Airport, the $1.3 billion Alice Springs to Darwin Railway, the $1.46 billion Millmerran Power Project, the $1.6 billion NCIG Newcastle Coal Loader financing, the project financing of Pan Australia's Phu Kham project in Laos, the Australia-Pacific LNG project, the North West Metro PPP, the Canberra Light Rail PPP, the original Amatek and Pacific Brands LBOs, and both the Dyno Nobel and Boart Longyear acquisitions and subsequent IPOs.
Phillip's commitment to his areas of expertise is demonstrated in his writing of numerous papers and articles. He has also lectured on infrastructure projects and takeover finance for the Sydney University Master of Laws. Phillip is recognised in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2018 as a 'notable practitioner', who is a standout name in the project finance practice area and is highly rated for his work advising banks and financial institutions. Phillip is best known in relation to acquisition and corporate finance, and has been involved in several high-profile workouts and LBOs'. Phillip is also recognised as one of the 10 'most highly regarded individuals' in The International Who's Who of Project Finance Lawyers 2011 and his expertise is recognised by publications such as Chambers Global, which names him in the international top tier of lawyers. Until recently Phillip chaired the Allens Pro Bono and Footprint Committees.