Combining ‘deep technical expertise’ with a ’pragmatic and commercial approach and client-focused availability’, Stephenson Harwood is popular among IPs, investors, corporates and creditors across a range of domestic and cross-border insolvency/restructuring matters, particularly in core areas of firmwide sector strength including shipping and energy. The team is, however, best-known for its contentious insolvency expertise, with ‘commercial and insightful’ team head Julian Cahn and ’extremely talented litigation’ partner Tal Goldsmith key resources in this regard. Ian Benjamin is also recommended and provides ‘highly commercial and flexible advice’ on business turnarounds and both creditor and debtor-led restructurings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Deep technical expertise combined with a pragmatic and commercial approach and client-focused availability.'
'Julian Cahn is commercial but also insightful on more contentious insolvency matters, both mid-market and more complex.'
'Ian Benjamin provides highly commercial and flexible advice.'
'Tal Goldsmith quickly understands the key commercial ramifications of any issue.'
'Tal Goldsmith is an extremely talented litigation partner whose knowledge of the law is up there with her ability to adapt on an ever moving litigation assignment.'

Key clients

BDO
Interpath
Begbies Traynor
Evelyn Partners
FTI Consulting
Teneo
RSM
FRP Advisory
Wells Fargo
Grant Thornton

Work highlights

Continue to act for the Receivers of Sebastian Holdings Inc (the personal investment vehicle of the Norwegian billionaire Alexander Vik), work which involved a complex dispute centred around Mr Vik's dissipation of $1bn assets to avoid liabilities owed to creditor, Deutsche Bank.
Acting for Court Appointed Enforcement Receivers attempting to trace and confiscate the proceeds of crime of twice convicted fraudster Dr Gerald Smith to compensate his victims.
Advising the joint liquidators in relation to the liquidation of NQ minerals which was successfully sold in 2022. Investigations into other asset recoveries continue including the resolution of complex and international negotiations regarding the intercompany debt position.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Ian Benjamin

Stephenson Harwood

Ian advises domestic and international clients on all aspects of restructuring and insolvency matters. He is known for his cross-sector experience advising a variety of stakeholders. Ian has significant multi-sector experience (including real estate, hospitality, leisure & retail, financial services, automotive and healthcare). He has worked extensively on business turnarounds and both creditor and debtor led restructurings. He regularly acts for lenders, distressed investment funds, insolvency practitioners, trade creditors, landlords, directors, sponsors and foreign lawyers. Ian is listed as a 'Next Generation Partner' in The Legal 500 UK 2023, is ranked in Chambers & Partners UK 2024 and is a "Recommended Practitioner" in Lexology's Who's Who Legal: Restructuring & Insolvency 2024.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Julian Cahn

Other key lawyers

Ian Benjamin, Tal Goldsmith, Tim Crocker, Nick Axup, Paul Hollands

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Corporate restructuring & insolvency