Well versed in high-value, cross-border cases, Minter Ellison is regularly seen working on fraud investigations, external administrations and disputes both in Australia and internationally. Sydney-based partner Michael Hughes heads the practice and is well regarded for his capabilities across restructuring, insolvency and related litigation matters. In Melbourne, Catherine Macrae and Brendon Watkins are also key names to note, with Watkins regularly engaged to advise on multi-jurisdictional finance-sector insolvencies.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Restructuring and Insolvency team provide technically accurate and pragmatic advice in an easy to understand way. They get to know their clients' business and demonstrate this with their practical application of the law, ensuring clients' needs are the the number 1 priority. ’
‘Michael Hughes has been a trusted advisor over many years. He always goes out of his way to provide first class legal advice whilst always recognizing our business needs and priorities. Our Board recognise Michael as an an expert in his field providing excellent guidance in every situation. Michael has frequently made himself available at short notice and long into the evening. I would highly recommend Michael to other organizations for his exceptional services. ’
‘Minters across the board is very client-focused and industry savvy. They always apply a commercial lens and provide useful and timely reporting and invoices. Particularly strong at working with multiple departments including in-house legal and customer-facing teams, and very effective at senior and executive briefs’.
‘Melinda Smith (Brisbane) is a stand out leading a large team of senior associates, lawyers and paralegals to appropriately staff consumer debt recovery. Caitlin Murray and Michael Hughes (Sydney) are also execeptional and responsive, appropriate across detail and delegating to a large team.'
‘I'd mention Brendan Watkins, Catherine Macrae and Nick Anson. Brendan has been a high performing and highly regarded legal advocate to the insolvency & Restructuring sector or over 20 years and continues to deliver outstanding services. Catherine is a relatively new partner who has been part of the Minters team for many years. She has made an immediate impact for Minters in the market, picking up some quality engagements. Nick continues to bring enormous experience and knowledge to every situation with years of restructuring, M&A and distressed advisory to his private and public clients.’
Key clients
- Avolon Aerospace Leasing
- BDO
- BWX Limited
- Careers Australia Group
- Cyber Intelligence Tech (CyberTech)
- Deloitte
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (now Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action)
- Dr Michael Frege of CMS (Germany)
- Ernst & Young
- HRL Limited
- Kajima Corporation and group of companies
- KPMG
- Ladder Capital
- Moula Money
- National Australia Bank (NAB)
- Rio Tinto
- State of Victoria
- Westpac Banking Corporation and Westpac New Zealand
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.