Clifford Chance frequently advises on complex restructuring and insolvency matters, with experience spanning professional indemnity, insurance claims, distressed M&A, and liquidations. The team is co-led by Mark Gillgren and Nikki Smythe. Smythe focuses on financing, debt restructuring, and insolvency transactions for major financial institutions. Gillgren offers specialist expertise across sectors including mining, oil and gas, and trade finance. James Hewer brings extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious restructuring, insolvency, and special situation mandates.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Three things make Clifford Chance's restructuring team unique: commercial approach to transactions; market relationships; and volume of high-profile deals.'
- 'Nikki and team are very commercial, they solve their clients' issues as commercially as possible, doing the right work to achieve this. This results in exceptional client results at the right cost.'
Key clients
- OCP Asia
- Bain Capital Credit
- Price Waterhouse Coopers
- FTI Consulting
- Brookfield
- Oaktree Capital Management
- Aviron Investment Management
- Bis Industries
Work highlights
Advised the Lender Group on contingency and formal insolvency planning in connection with the financial restructuring of The Star Entertainment Group, one of Australia’s largest casino operators.
Advised the voluntary administrators of PF Management Group Pty Ltd (the Panthera Group) on the trade-on, restructuring, and sale of the business, including the sale of the Gedda auto loans business to Gamme Duo and the remainder to Francom Group.
Advised an ad hoc group of noteholders on their US$350 million senior secured notes and subsequently advised FTI as receivers and managers of the Quintis Group of Companies, one of the world’s largest growers and suppliers of Indian Sandalwood.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Mark Gillgren; Nikki Smythe
Other key lawyers
James Hewer