Capital markets specialist Steinepreis Paganin has acted for the newly created uranium explorers Nova Energy on its Australian Stock Exchange debut.

Partner Jonathan Murray led the Steinepreis Paganin team, with solicitors Daniel Wood and Christopher Marr assisting. Nova raised A$6.24m from the IPO, with the opening share price of 54 cents a share 14 cents above the public offer price.

"We have acted on a number of IPOs this year and deals like this are always good as it means we are visible in the marketplace," said Murray. "We are active with the smaller IPOs, and in the future would like to push up to the mid-tier range."

Steinepreis Paganin has taken instructions on more IPOs in Australia than any other law firm for the past two years. In 2004, it acted on 18 IPOs worth a total of A$92.45m.

Said Murray: "While it is always good to be visible, and acting on IPOs achieves this, the firm specialises on a range of corporate areas including M&A and project acquisitions."

Recent deals include the A$150m Crown Diamonds and Petra Diamonds merger in June and the Consolidated Minerals acquisition of Reliance Mining for A$90m in May.

Murray said approximately 40-50% of the firm's clients originate from the resource sector, with the firm also active in the biotechnology, telecommunications and financial services industries.