Geread Dooley
Partner & Japan Practice Leader, Sydney
I specialise in Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate matters and as the firm's Japan Practice Leader regularly advise Japanese corporates on their Australian strategic investments and on-going operations.

I am a trusted adviser to my clients on their public and private M&A transactions, strategic joint ventures and a broad range of corporate, commercial and governance matters. I regularly advise both foreign and domestic clients across a broad range of sectors including Energy & Resources, Renewables, Tech and FMCG and focus on advising Japanese corporates on their Australian investments and operations.

I also frequently advises his clients on foreign investment regulation and dealings with Government in relation to FIRB and ACCC.

I have law degrees from both Kobe University in Japan and the Australian National University and, as a result, works seamlessly in Japanese and English when required. Through this broad experience, he has developed a deep understanding of Japanese business and culture ‒ attributes that my clients value highly. I am practically minded and a strong communicator who enjoys working closely with clients to help them achieve their commercial and strategic objectives.

Career highlights

  • Advising J-POWER on its proposed acquisition of Genex via a dual track scheme of arrangement and takeover.
  • Advised TAL Dai-ichi Life on its $725 million acquisition of Suncorp's life insurance business.
  • Advised Nippon Life Insurance Company on its $2.4 billion acquisition of 80% of MLC.
  • Advised Hitachi on its $975 million takeover of Bradken.
  • Advised Kirin on its $6.3 billion takeover of Lion Nathan.
  • Advised Nomura Research Institute on the acquisition of AUSIEX from Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
  • Advising Eurus Energy on its participation in the proposed A$2 billion large scale hydrogen production, transportation and export H2N Project in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
  • Advised ITOCHU on its investment in Australian carbon capture and utilisation start-up Mineral Carbonation International.
  • Advised ITOCHU on its sale of certain Australian thermal coal assets to Glencore.
  • Advised Peabody on the its joint venture of the Wambo and United mines with Glencore.
  • Advised MicroChannel on the sale of its IT services business to Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp.
  • Advised Scientific Games Corporation on its acquisitions of Australian technology companies, Sportcast and Lighting Box.
  • Advised Endeavour Drinks on the acquisition of the Chapel Hill and Five Oaks wineries.

Awards and recognition

  • Recognised in Best Lawyers, Australia – Mergers & Acquisitions Law 2024 and 2025 (Sydney).