The ‘top-tier’ restructuring and insolvency team at Allens boasts market leading experience in advising lenders, insolvency practitioners, and international financial clients on the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Melbourne-based Matthew Whittle leads the team, leading on recovering significant assets, advising on the full range of receivership matters, and representing financial services clients in class actions. Chris Prestwich negotiates prospective sale agreements, while the ‘exceptional’ Alf Pappalardo often represents administrators, and Tania Cini is another key contact for purchasing work.

Situated within the firms’ wider banking and finance practice, the restructuring and insolvency team at Arnold Bloch Leibler is spearheaded by Melbourne-based litigation specialist Leon Zwier. The team has strength in handling major portfolio restructurings within the healthcare sector, advising shareholders in share transfers, and servicing developers in the residential real estate sector. Key members of the team include Elyse Hilton, who represents investment clients in Supreme Court proceedings; Sydney-based Stephen Lloyd, who provides major shareholders with the full range of strategic advice; Genevieve Sexton, who advises on acquisitions, and Ben Mahoney, who assists companies with negotiation-related issues.

Clayton Utz‘s ‘preeminent’, restructuring and insolvency team offers deep experience in advising various stakeholders in the financial services, energy and resources, and project and asset services sectors. With a specialism in distressed asset financing, team head Nick Poole assists with the reviewing of financing agreements and restructuring negotiations. Cameron Belyea handles capital restructuring and recoveries, while Talia Lirosi often advises investment fund clients on asset realisation and enforcement matters. Paul James advises financial services clients on the full range of related work, including complex and significant negotiations. Maria O’Brien joined from Baker McKenzie in May 2024.

With a significant national presence, ‘leading restructuring, distressed debt and special situation legal advisory firm in Australia’, Corrs Chambers Westgarth regularly represents a range of domestic and international investment clients, resources companies, and private equity funds in a range contentious and non-contentious matters. Assisting with consensual debt acquisitions, restructurings, and various other transactions are among the team’s key strengths. Team head Cameron Cheetham is a highly active member of the team, leading on major construction-related insolvency, while Michael Catchpoole and Michelle Gordon are also recommended.

Gilbert + Tobin‘s ‘exceptional’, restructuring and insolvency team has vast experience in advising on complex commercial matters involving government ownership. The team is also well-equipped to handle voluntary administration negotiations and funding arrangements. Practice heads Peter Bowden and Orla McCoy are ‘fantastic to work with’, supporting companies and debtors in the energy and mining sectors. Anna Schwartz is another key contact, advising on formal insolvency processes and complex dispute proceedings.

With particular expertise in the full range of insolvency matters, the team at King & Wood Mallesons regularly advises administrators on transaction structuring and asset sales, and advises on major distressed infrastructure projects. Banking and finance specialist Tim Klineberg leads the team, advising receivers on complex regulatory matters and strategic negotiations. Other key names in the team include Tony Troiani and Samantha Kinsey, who often assist with enforcement planning, and M&A.

Minter Ellison‘s restructuring and insolvency team is well known for its abilities in representing various international liquidators in significant litigations. Experienced insolvency practitioner Michael Hughes spearheads the team, while ’emerging star in the industry’, Catherine Macrae leads on major voluntary administration cases and collapses in the construction and real estate industries. Nick Anson assists with representing consumer goods clients in attempted turn arounds, while Brendon Watkins leads on advising administrator clients on cross-border insolvency matters and repurchases. Caitlin Murray is a key contact for financial institutions seeking advice on both secured and unsecured recoveries.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s ‘highly regarded insolvency and restructuring team’, boasts an established position in the market, advising domestic and international banking, financial institutions, creditors, and administrators in the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Alex Mufford spearheads the Sydney-based team, leading on restructuring and structured capital market related matters. Steven Palmer, John Martin, and Scott Atkins are other key contacts, representing liquidators in Federal Court proceedings. Perth-based newly promoted partner Kellie Link is also recommended, assisting with high profile financial restructurings.

The team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP boasts broad corporate expertise, handling the full gamut of restructuring options and liquidity plans, as well as advising receivers and managers of entities in the commercial real estate sector. Team head Paul Apáthy is well-equipped to advise domestic banking clients on documentation reviews and general insolvency advice.  With particular expertise in corporate restructuring, Mark Clifton often advises on restructurings in the life sciences sector, and handles due diligence and securities reviews.

Active in both domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency proceedings, the team at Johnson Winter Slattery is led by Sydney-based Joseph Scarcella. Acting for provisional liquidators, receivers and managers in the energy and mining industries, and handling commercial disputes are among the teams’ key strengths. ‘Industry leader’ Peter Smith advises senior lenders on major restructurings, while Emily Barrett on complex voluntary administrations.

With particularly strong international capabilities, the restructuring and insolvency team at Baker McKenzie represents a diverse range of international and domestic clients in major voluntary administration, recapitalisation, and product liability class actions. With particular expertise in dispute resolution, Peter Lucarelli leads the team, while Gavin Rakoczy leads on distressed refinancing and debt related matters. Ian Innes is another key contact with experience in representing clients before Australian Supreme Courts. Maria O’Brien departed the firm in May 2024.

‘Go-to firm for insolvency litigation’, Dentons‘ Melbourne-based team is well-equipped to advise a wide range of domestic clients including receivers, managers, and contractors on real estate portfolio management, commercial leasing disputes, and major corporate insolvency issues. Sydney-based Tim Sherrard spearheads the team, while Kon Tsiakis is a highly active on contentious matters including unlawful transfer of shares and mandatory injunctions. Ryan Hennessey is another key contact who often assists with breach of contract and deceptive conduct matters.

Leveraging its wide-ranging national expertise, Hall & Wilcox boasts a ‘very strong’ team known for handling breach of contract, negligence, and deceptive conduct matters. ‘Exceptional practitioner’ Mark Petrucco jointly leads the team with Scott Butler, Wayne Kelcey, Hector West, often acting for liquidators and construction companies in the full range of insolvency matters. Megan Scott routinely advises on complex shareholder issues and cross-border voluntary administrations.

Led by restructuring and insolvency specialist Roger Dobson, the team at Jones Day regularly advises asset controllers, scheme administrators, energy companies, and majority shareholders in relation to restructuring work. Transactions, alleged fraud investigations, and funding arrangements are among the teams key strengths. Katie Higgins left the firm in October 2024.

DLA Piper‘s experienced restructuring and insolvency team boasts ‘significant technical knowledge’, and advises on complex security and priority arrangements, and insolvency structuring issues. Regularly advising cross-border clients in the Asia Pacific region, ‘outstanding’, team head Naomi Moore is a key contact for major cross-border insolvency matters, while Lionel Meehan specialises in major restructuring matters. Amy Nolan assists with performance bond issuing and liquidation proceedings.

Gadens Lawyers‘ restructuring and insolvency team advises liquidators, administrations in the mining sector, and private property developer group on a range of related contentious and non-contentious matters. Hailed  by clients as ‘one of the best banking and restructuring solicitors in Australia’, James Roland spearheads the team from Sydney, often representing clients in Supreme Court proceedings and stakeholder negotiations. Robert Hinton and Brisbane-based Scott Couper are also recommended, advising shareholders and liquidators respectively.

Situated within the firm’s wider commercial litigation practice, the restructuring and insolvency team at Ironbridge Legal has considerable experience in advising on ASIC and ATO related investigations, contentious debt matters, and the full range of insolvency procedures. Trevor Withane jointly leads the team from Sydney with Melbourne-based Laura Coleclough, while Patrick Gallego assists with contentious restructuring matters and a wide range of related litigation.

With particular expertise in wider finance-related matters, the team at K&L Gates is recommended for its skill in representing advising creditors in the mining industry, handling significant fraud cases involving domestic corporate regulators, and cross-border administration and liquidation matters. Sydney-based Jason Opperman leads the team, while ‘stand out partners’ Andrew Chambers and Stephen Hume advise public sector clients in relation to restructuring and debt facilitation matters . Specialising in securities enforcement, Nicole Ward is another key contact alongside Alex Smith.

‘Excellent operators in the restructuring and insolvency space’ Marelda Hibberd and Danielle Funston jointly lead the team at Maddocks, advising a wide range of international and domestic clients including creditors, insolvency practitioners, and secured lenders. Handling a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters, the teams key strengths include advising on liquidations, shareholder agreements, and claims and disputes regarding the ATO. Andrew Ng is a highly active member of the team, assisting with subcontractor insolvency issues.

Based within the firms wider commercial disputes practice, the experienced team at Mills Oakley is spearheaded by Melbourne-based Stuart Lewin. Assisting with ATO-related contentious liquidations, advising on various secured and unsecured creditor claims, and advising on voluntary administrations are among the teams key strengths. Ariel Borland leads on various transactions and sale agreements, while Taline Chater joined from Minter Ellison in January 2024.

Situated in the firms’ wider commercial law practice, the restructuring and insolvency team at Piper Alderman is spearheaded by Michael Lhuede, who leads on the full range of complex cr0ss-border insolvency matters. The team is well-equipped to handle contentious bankruptcy matters, corporate restructuring, and liquidations in the commercial real estate sector. Joanne Hardwick is also recommended for advising creditors and lenders.

With extensive international capabilities, the restructuring and insolvency team at A&O Shearman advises a wide range of alternative asset managers, lenders, and creditors, with particular expertise in litigation proceedings. David Walter leads the team, advising on cross-border insolvency protection cases, while senior associate Liam Beashel assisting with trade credit insurance litigation, complex bankruptcy restructurings, and shareholder disputes.

Based within the firms wider global financial markets practice, the team at Clifford Chance is led by Perth-based Mark Gillgren, who boasts particular experience in complex financial transactions. Advising on operational restructuring, voluntary administration, and secured claims are among the teams key strengths. Nikki Smythe is a key contact for distressed debt and restructuring work, having joined from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in early 2024.

Nicholas Edwards leads the restructuring and insolvency team at Hamilton Locke, which handles regulatory compliance and trade finance transactions, acting for domestic and international administrators in liquidations. Zina Edwards has vast experience in advising onshore and offshore credit funds, asset managers, and lenders. Katrina Zivkovic and Ariane Thiery are key members in the team who often assist administrators with sales.

Hogan Lovells' Sydney-based group advises a diverse clients roster on a a wide range of insolvency issues, while also advising on debt restructuring and power purchase agreements in the energy sector. Team head Scott Harris specialises in advising financial institutions and alternative international lenders, particularly regarding complex regulatory matters.

McCullough Robertson is well-equipped to handle financing arrangement negotiations, financial due diligence, and the full range of restructuring matters for a wide range of domestic and international clients. Litigation specialist Chris Barr leads the team and handles voluntary administrations in the real estate development sector and syndicated loan related matters.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP‘s experienced restructuring and insolvency team regularly advises financial institutions, lenders, and administrators. Complex commercial litigation specialist Beau Deleuil jointly leads the team with Elan Sasson, advising on investments and contentious matters often involving domestic regulatory bodies, insolvency disputes, and indemnity claims.

The team at Thomson Geer handles a myriad of insolvency matters, real estate transactions, and voluntary administrations and restructurings. In the Sydney office, Nick Curran is a key contact, representing major banks and lenders in voluntary administrations. Neil Hannan is also recommended for his expertise in insolvent trading claims and voluntary administrations, while Adelaide-based Michael O’Donnell handles the full range of commercial contract disputes.

‘Dealing in the most complex and sophisticated large restructurings in the market’, the team at White & Case is also well-equipped to advise lenders and receivers in sales and advising construction companies in voluntary administrations. With particular expertise in insolvency, Timothy Sackar also leads on investment fund management and distressed acquisitions. Jillian McAleese is another key contact, assisting with cross-border restructuring of senior debt facilities.