Dentons New Zealand advises on structuring and restructuring matters for both shareholders and directors. The firm’s broader expertise includes director liability, appointments, creditor claims, and cross-border issues. James McMillan heads the team, regularly supporting banks, insolvency practitioners, and directors. David Shillson is an experienced restructuring practitioner, acting in matters in the construction sector. Liz Lim supports borrowers, lenders and corporate trustees, while Patrick Glennie is noted within the team for frequently acting on liquidation matters.
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Profile
Work Department
Dispute resolution, Insolvency and restructuring
Position
Partner
Career
James is a litigator who specialises in insolvency law, helping creditors and insolvency practitioners with businesses in financial distress. He leads the restructuring and insolvency team based in Auckland.
James is ranked in Chambers Asia Pacific, as well as being acknowledged as a leading individual by Legal 500 Asia Pacific . He is described as 'an expert in insolvency and has a natural ability to home in on exactly what his clients need'. James is also recognised as highly regarded lawyer in IFLR1000.
James brings many years of experience to his work. He has been involved in some of New Zealand’s highest-profile insolvency cases and he has well-established relationships with banks and insolvency practitioners.
James advises both finance and trade creditors. He also advises insolvency practitioners who are appointed to help rescue a failing business. He works closely with bankers, legal counsel, CFOs and CEOs, as well as insolvency practitioners.
If you are owed money by a failing business, James will work with you to recover as much of it as possible – including representing you in court if necessary. He also works with banks on security enforcement matters and he advises insolvency practitioners on a range of issues. These include appointment opinions, as well as advising on creditor claims and the priority of those claims.
Languages
English
Memberships
New Zealand Law Society member
RITANZ member
NZ Credit and Finance Institute member
Education
BCom, LLB (Hons), The University of Auckland
Admission date: January 2004
Content supplied by Dentons New Zealand
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Dentons insolvency practice are friendly and professional but they have the backbone and firm hand you need when dealing with a high stress insolvency situation.'
'Junior staff are responsive, careful and diligent.'
'Overall, an outstanding firm to work with on high-intensity situations. ’
‘James McMillan is calm under pressure. He has a deep knowledge of the law combined with significant experience across multiple insolvencies, so he can see patterns and provide strategic counsel based on the letter of the law, as well as a pragmatic commercial view.’
Key clients
- PwC
- Deloitte
- Ruapehu Skifields Stakeholders Association
- ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited
- HSBC
- Heartland Bank Limited
- IBC Japan Limited
- BWA Insolvency Limited
- Warwick Jones
Work highlights
Advised PwC on all aspects of the administration of Supie, an online grocery retailer, including claims to (often perishable) stock, as well as bringing the relevant watershed meetings forward.
Assisted Ruapehu Skifields Stakeholders Association with presenting a deed of company arrangement and navigating the legal aspects of the administration Ruapehu Aline Lifts, including the watershed meeting.