I have acted in insolvency and restructuring matters for many years, particularly matters that are complex, contentious and result in litigation. My clients include corporate and public sector clients and executives who are affected by insolvency, Corporations Act investigations and contractual disputes. I also act for banks, financial institutions, funds and other secured parties to protect their interests in difficult situations and have a sub-speciality in advising and acting in matters under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth).

My practice includes acting on both sides of Corporations Act investigations and claims by ASIC and liquidators, particularly those that involve breaches of trust and directors' duties and managed investment schemes. I am experienced acting in commissions of inquiry, public examinations as well as long running and complex civil penalty proceedings. I frequently advise and act for clients in commercial disputes and external administrations.

Clients regard one of my strengths to be my ability to lead teams to produce successful outcomes on time and on budget. My advice is practical and commercially focussed and is informed by my strong technical skills. I am often sought out for my ability to find creative solutions to complex problems.

I am also proud to be a significant contributor to MinterEllison's Community Investment program. I regularly act for vulnerable people in Court proceedings to protect, defend and recover interests in real property, often in circumstances involving elder abuse.

Career highlights

• Insolvency Firm: Acting for the voluntary administrators to obtain orders to extend the convening period on two occasions: Killer, in the matter of Scooter Group Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed) (Administrators Appointed) [2023] FCA 320.
• Australian Bank: Acting for an Australian Bank in Supreme Court of Queensland proceedings relating to the bank's security interests and set-off rights.
• Australian Bank: Acting for Australian Bank and its appointed receivers and managers to enforce secured rights against a health services group of companies.
• NAB: Acting for NAB in Federal Court of Australia proceedings to defend a discovery application relating to financial services provisions in the
• Corporations Act: Smith v National Australia Bank Limited [2022] FCA 1186.
• Regulator: Acting for a regulator in a 12-month investigation into individuals and companies operating in the energy and resources industry (unable to disclose identity).
• Major Airport: Advising a major airport in the voluntary administration of Virgin Group.
• Victorian Government: Representing the Victorian Public Health Team in its response in the Victorian Hotel Quarantine Inquiry.
• Australian Government: Acting for the Australian Government in a range of insolvency disputes including Supreme Court of New South Wales proceedings against liquidators to successfully contest the liquidators’ remuneration.
• Government Owned Corporation: Acting for the CEO and CFO of a Government Owned Corporation in a liquidators' public examination and subsequent claim.
• Various: Advising various banks and financial institutions in connection with defaulting customers and restructuring or work out scenarios, debt recovery, security enforcement, advice about security rights including under the PPSA, customer disputes and formal insolvency situations.

• Personal property securities reform package released for consultation
  

  On 22 Sept 2023, the Australian government responded to the Whittaker Review, releasing the Personal Property Securities Amendment Bill 2023 for public consultation until 17 Nov 2023.

• The purchaser's equitable lien in insolvency: recent developments
  

  Two recent cases from New Zealand demonstrate how an equitable lien can arise in insolvency to elevate the interest of unsecured purchasers of goods to secured status.