Addleshaw Goddard deals with a variety of contentious and non-contentious insolvency and restructuring mandates, with team members bringing experience in cross-border schemes of arrangement, insolvency matters and liquidations. Co-head Doug Smith provides distressed companies, creditors, insolvency and restructuring office-holders, and company executives with the full range of advice. Craig Sowman, who also leads the team, is adept at handling complex domestic and international restructurings. Niamh Cacciato joined the team towards the end of 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Very experienced from the perspective of the law, but more importantly its application. Significant on-hand resources with the new additions to the team which enhances opportunities to instruct given broader strength in depth for large mandates.’
- ‘Doug Smith - hall of fame level of intel, thought process and application of the law. Craig Sowman - excellent signing and highly regarded and experienced. Niamh Cacciato - a rising star.’
- ‘Broad range of experience, quality advice, highly reputable, responsive to client needs.’
- ‘Craig Sowman is very experienced in all types of restructuring including cross-border insolvency. Strong commercial mindset. Very supportive and adaptive to evolving complex situations.’
- ‘Craig and Niamh's approach and ability to simplify complex issues delivers outcomes efficiently and effectively. A must have team!’
- ‘Strong personal service based on a sound ethical approach backed up by high levels of knowledge.’
- ‘Doug Smith brings many years' experience and an ability to marshal other skills within the firm.’
- ‘Doug Smith and Craig Sowman are excellent partners and Niamh Cacciato is an excellent legal director.’
Key clients
- PNC
- Solar 21
- Wellman International Limited
- Bank of Ireland
- Teneo
- PwC
- Fairfield
- Interpath
- Kroll
- KPMG
- Deloitte
- EY
- Grant Thornton
- BDO
- RSM Ireland
- McStay Luby
- Kirby Healy
- Azets Ireland
- HSBC Invoice Finance
- GLA Ireland No.1 Sarl
Work highlights
Acting for HHGL (ROI) Ltd (trading as Homebase) in its petition to the High Court to wind up the company and advising the joint liquidators (Teneo) on all matters in the liquidation including on the sale of 5 Homebase stores to the Range (Ireland) Ltd t/a The Range and the sale of a further 3 Homebase stores to B&Q Ireland Ltd.
Advised HSBC Invoice Finance on its position as secured lender (and subsequent appointment of receivers) against Waterford Whiskey following payment defaults under an asset-based facility comprising significant secured debt and large quantities of premium Irish whiskey.
Acting for Wellman International Limited in its petition for examinership and appointment of an interim examiner and examiner.
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Craig Sowman
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Niamh Cacciato
Practice head
Doug Smith; Craig Sowman
Other key lawyers
Niamh Cacciato