Praised as ‘the market-leader for insolvency’, Walker Morris LLP advises on the full spectrum of restructuring and insolvency matters, including contingency planning, turnaround strategies, lender advisory, directors’ duties, distressed M&A, and contentious insolvency issues. Gawain Moore and Duncan Lole jointly lead the practice; with Moore specialising in cross-border insolvencies, restructuring plans, and voluntary arrangements, and Lole focusing on the insolvency of FCA regulated businesses. Claire Askew advises on all areas of both contentious and non-contentious insolvency and restructuring, while Olivia Prescott has strong expertise in insolvency matters within the financial services and regulated sectors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Fantastic team to work with. Knowledgeable, commercially-minded fee earners across the whole team. Always a pleasure to work with them.'
‘Claire Askew always inspires confidence, and this radiates into her team. Oliver Wheeler is definitely one to watch.'
‘The market-leader for insolvency in the North East.'
‘Walker Morris has a fantastic insolvency team, significantly experienced and a commercial approach.'
‘Duncan Lole is one of the best. Duncan Lole is always on hand to provide advice and commercial solutions to complex problems. Equally impressive leading his team on both contentious and non-contentious instructions.'
- 'Olivia Prescott - there is never a problem too big or too difficult and always available to chat through situations, whatever the time or day. A fantastically dedicated lawyer and a great asset to the WM team.'
Key clients
- Endless LLP
- BDO
- Teneo
- FRP
- Santander
- Together Commercial Finance
- Alvarez & Marsal
- TriplePoint
- Begbies Traynor
Work highlights
Advised Santander in connection with a restructuring of Crafter's Companion (the business founded by Sara Davies of Dragon's Den) and in relation to a subsequent prepack sale of the business back to Sara.
Advised private equity owned Boxphish on the acquisition of Trillion out of administration, which involved tech expertise as Trillion is a threat intelligence service that tracks credentials shared on the dark web.
Advised the board of directors of a high profile and award-winning life services business in relation to director duties, contingency planning and funding options.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Claire Askew
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Olivia Prescott
Practice head
Gawain Moore; Duncan Lole
Other key lawyers
Olivia Prescott; Claire Askew