K&L Gates is active in liquidations, administrations and finance-related disputes, often representing creditors in the mining sector. Jason Opperman heads the team. Stephen Hume advises financiers on restructures, workouts, securities enforcement and banking litigation. Andrew Chambers handles insolvency and commercial disputes, while Alex Smith supports clients across real estate, mining, retail and construction. Nicole Ward advises insolvency practitioners and directors on corporate insolvency and bankruptcy matters, including complex transactions and examinations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: NPS ®

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This team has a number of excellent partners who cover the field in terms of skill sets. The team has unrivalled technical ability and excellent client and management skills.’

  • ‘Jason Opperman is a truly exceptional practitioner who has exceptional technical knowledge in the restructuring and insolvency areas and excellent client service.'

  • 'Alex Smith is a leading partner in the field with excellent management ability and a client-service approach.'

  • 'It is a truly exceptional team.’

  • ‘Stephen Hume is a strong legal advisor who is commercially focused on outcomes.’

  • 'The team has the right mix of skills and knowledge to be able to quickly assess and apply themselves to the restructuring issues faced by clients.'

  • 'Straight forward advice and commercial approach.'

  • 'Alex Smith is exceptional in her analytical skills, attention to detail, depth of knowledge and focus.'

Key clients

  • KPMG
  • Grant Thornton
  • EY
  • FTI Consulting
  • Deloitte
  • McGrathNicol
  • KordaMentha
  • BDO
  • Olvera Advisors
  • Cor Cordis

Work highlights

Advised on the liquidation of Halifax Financial Services, particularly with regard to the ground-breaking joint sittings of the courts and appellate courts of Australia and New Zealand to determine rights of more than 10,000 investors involving over AU$200 million of assets held by Australian liquidators.
Act for McGrathNicol, the liquidators of Scott's Refrigerated Logistics Group, in relation to all aspects of the liquidation including engaging with the secured creditors and their appointed receivers.
Acted for an American multinational investment firm, as lessor of two aircraft to a national airline with exposure in excess of AU$600 million, in connection with court proceedings commenced in Australia, France, Singapore and New York.

Practice head

Jason Opperman

Other key lawyers

Stephen Hume; Andrew Chambers; Alex Smith; Nicole Ward