Addleshaw Goddard has a longstanding presence in the restructuring and insolvency market, which was cemented by the arrival of Craig Sowman from William Fry LLP in 2024, who joined as co-head of the restructuring and insolvency team. The enlarged senior bench brings the firm further into the frame for top domestic and cross-border engagements. It remains particularly close to the major insolvency practitioners in the market, along with a variety of senior secured lenders. The immensely experienced Doug Smith also co-heads the team and has an outstanding reputation.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A high degree of personal service from experienced partner level solicitors.’

  • ‘Doug Smith has a keen mind and attention to detail that is essential.’

  • ‘Great firm with strong sub-service lines.’

  • ‘Doug Smith is a very experienced and excellent lawyer.’

  • ‘This is a very experienced insolvency team which takes a commercial and pragmatic approach to complex issues. They strive to reach positive outcomes in an urgent manner when time is of the essence.’

  • ‘Craig Sowman recently joined the team. Craig brings a wealth of experience together with a client centric approach. Craig is creative in his approach solutions and collaborates with other departments to ensure the optimal result when managing complex issues.’

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Key clients

  • Solar 21
  • Creditors in Mallinckrodt
  • Allied Irish Banks
  • Pharm-Olam
  • PwC
  • Teneo
  • Fairfield
  • Interpath
  • KPMG
  • Deloitte
  • EY
  • Grant Thornton
  • BDO
  • RSM Ireland
  • Kroll
  • McStay Luby
  • Kirby Healy
  • Azets Ireland
  • Somers, Murphy & Earl
  • A Luxembourg based creditor in the WeWork Chapter 11
  • Apec Architectural Engineering Projects Limited
  • A creditor in the Mainline Examinership

Work highlights

  • Advised EFW 21 Renewable Energy and EFW 21 Renewable Energy (Ireland) on the financial restructuring of the obligations of certain members of the Solar 21 Group under Irish law governed loan notes and quasi-debt preference shares utilising two interdependent Irish Schemes of Arrangement.
  • Advised a Luxembourg owned, Irish registered, client in relation to it's claim on foot of an Irish Law guarantee, against WeWork, which recently exited a Chapter 11 rescue process in the United States.
  • Acted for a creditor/sub-contractor regarding its claims against and contractual relationship with Mainline Power, which had entered the Irish Court supervised examinership process.

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.
Craig Sowman
Addleshaw Goddard

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Doug Smith, Craig Sowman