Nicholas acts for international and domestic companies and investment funds on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, energy and resources transactions, shareholder activism, special situations, restructurings and foreign investment matters across Australia and globally.

Biography

Nicholas acts for international and domestic companies and investment funds throughout their Australian investments. His clients span energy and resources companies, global multi-strategy funds and Japanese and other government agencies.

Nicholas advises on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, energy and resources transactions, foreign investment clearances, farm-ins and farm-outs, joint ventures, project development, shareholder activism, special situations and restructurings. He has particular depth in oil and gas restructurings and decommissioning matters, distressed energy mergers and acquisition and cross-border inbound investment into Australia. He has co-edited the leading text on decommissioning law and writes and speaks extensively on energy matters.

Nicholas spent over seven years at a leading US firm in London and has advised clients across Australia, South East Asia, MENA, North and South America, the United Kingdom, Europe and former CIS states. He holds a Master of Laws (Energy and Clean-tech) from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from the University of Melbourne. Nicholas also sits on the Clean Energy Transition Advisory Committee of the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee.

Nicholas led the acquisition by Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation (JOIN) of an interest in the Rozelle Village apartment development in Sydney, JOIN's first investment in the Australian market, involving a joint venture with Mitsubishi Estate, Toho Gas and Meitetsu City Design and FIRB clearance. His special situations experience includes over 12 major oil and gas matters  across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He has also been seconded as interim general counsel of FTSE 250 African downstream company Vivo Energy plc.

Credentials

Academic qualifications:

Memberships:

Nicholas' experience

Yamato Kogyo

Advising premier Japanese manufacturer Yamato Kogyo on all aspects of its acquisition of a 50% interest in leading rail turnouts business Salix Products Pty Ltd from Martinus Rail, and related joint venture.

Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation (JOIN) — Rozelle Village

Advising JOIN, a Japanese Government agency, on all aspects of its acquisition of an interest in the Rozelle Village apartment development in Sydney. The transaction involved JOIN partnering with Mitsubishi Estate, Toho Gas and Meitetsu City Design as co-investors. Advice covered acquisition structuring, joint venture negotiations, FIRB requirements and ongoing governance. JOIN's first investment in the Australian market. Completed December 2025.

Global multi-strategy funds

Advising global multi-strategy funds on Australian activist, equity and arbitrage investments.

Oil and gas restructurings

Advising ad hoc committees on oil and gas restructurings and related divestments across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, including Iona Energy, Noreco Energy, Gulf Keystone Petroleum, Afren, Seadrill, Hurricane Energy, PA Resources and Xcite Energy.

Decommissioning

Advising oil and gas companies, offshore contractors, special situation investors and creditors on oil and gas decommissioning matters including trailing liability, decommissioning security agreements, alternative end of field life solutions and resolution strategies.

Vivo Energy PLC

Seconded as interim general counsel of Vivo Energy PLC, a FTSE 250 African downstream energy company.

Awards, recognition and ranking