Minter Ellison advises on a wide range of restructuring and insolvency matters, including cross-border insolvency, bankruptcy, creditor claims and distressed debt trading. The firm regularly acts for trading banks, private equity firms and alternative credit providers. Michael Hughes advises companies, directors and creditors on corporate distress, while Caitlin Murray focuses on restructuring, insolvency and litigation, acting for leading financial institutions on workouts and recovery matters. Brendon Watkins assists major banks in insolvency matters, and Catherine Macrae acts for a broad mix of stakeholders across industries such as agriculture, mining, retail and construction. Nick Anson brings deep experience in contentious restructurings, distressed capital structures and litigation involving secured and unsecured creditors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Brendon Watkins, Catherine Macrae and Nick Anson are all Melbourne-based and of high quality. They work very well as a team both in the market and on engagements when appropriate. Caitlin Murray, from the Sydney office, is smart, efficient and very client focused.'
- 'Technically strong team of insolvency and restructuring lawyers. Good to deal with.'
- 'Brendon Watkins has exceptional restructuring and insolvency knowledge, always focused on delivering an exceptional client outcome.'
- 'The Minter Ellison R&I team is of the highest quality. They have a wonderfully strong partner group, who compliment each other exceptionally well and are supported by outstanding team members who are highly professional and well trained.'
- 'Brendon Watkins and Nick Anson are top-level lawyers, right across every issue and provide clear, concise and well-considered advice.'
- 'Very highly experienced, commercial, and technically proficient team of insolvency and restructuring specialists.'
Key clients
- Westpac Banking Corporation
- McGrathNicol
- Westpac Banking Corporation
- Australian Business Growth Fund
- Quiksilver Australia Pty Ltd
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- BDO
- Metrics Credit Partners
Work highlights
Acted for Westpac Banking Corporation in relation to the long-running litigation in connection with the very significant fraud perpetrated against it by Forum Finance Pty Limited (in liquidation) and its directors.
Acted for McGrathNicol in their capacity as voluntary administrators of Billson's Beverages.
Represented Australian Business Growth Fund, the largest secured creditor in the voluntary administration of Scipher Technologies Pty Ltd.
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.
Brendon Watkins
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Catherine Macrae
Caitlin Murray
Practice head
Michael Hughes
Other key lawyers
Caitlin Murray; Catherine Macrae; Brendon Watkins; Nick Anson