Department profile
Allens

Restructuring/Insolvency

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Australia


Allens

Rankings

About

Provided by Allens

Allens has a dedicated national restructuring and insolvency practice with partners in each of our Australian offices. The firm's reputation is built around its technical expertise, solutions based approach, depth of resources and ability to marshal industry related expertise across a range of sectors from its broad practice base.

We operate across the full spectrum of restructuring and work out scenarios; disposal and acquisition of distressed debt portfolios; in all forms of corporate insolvency administrations under Australian insolvency laws; in scenarios where Australian law interfaces with international insolvency law; in prosecuting and defending litigation (including class actions) arising in the context of insolvency scenarios; and in undertaking advisory work for key stakeholders in distressed or insolvency scenarios. Our practice is both financier and debtor side. It also supports our M&A capability in acquiring entities or assets in distressed or insolvency scenarios.

One of our key differentiators is that our restructuring and insolvency team enjoys a significant reputation for its technical competence and expertise in conducting complex, large-scale and often multi-jurisdictional restructurings and insolvencies which require extensive legal capability and bench depth in resources. Our ability to call upon experts from across all necessary disciplines gives our clients a team of leaders in their respective fields and exceptional service delivery.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Restructuring/Insolvency - Australia

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Allens houses a complete restructuring and insolvency offering, fielding experts in workouts and debt trading as well as insolvency litigation and securities enforcement actions. The team operates in a number of sectors including mining, infrastructure and financial services. The firm has extensive experience advising clients, including creditors, borrowers and insolvency practitioners, on high-profile and multi-jurisdictional restructures and insolvencies.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Allens acted for an ad hoc lender group, including Bain Capital Special Situations, Intermediate Capital Group and Capital Four, in relation to the restructuring of the Accolade Wines Group.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm provides a strong commercial overlay to assist with strategic decision-making.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
  • The restructuring and insolvency team works very closely with their clients and proactively considers how best to protect their interests.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
  • What sets Allens apart is its excellent technical capability and broad capacity within the firm.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Alf Pappalardo
    Band 2Alf Pappalardo

    Alf Pappalardo

    Alf Pappalardo is a well-regarded Brisbane-based practitioner who is frequently instructed by both creditors and debtors on restructuring proposals and has substantial experience assisting clients on formal insolvencies.
    • Alf Pappalardo is fantastic. He is to the point and commercial.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
    • He is a consummate professional who is very commercial and easy to do business with.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 2Chris Prestwich
    Band 2Chris Prestwich

    Chris Prestwich

    Chris Prestwich is based in Sydney and acts for clients who include lenders, insolvency practitioners and corporates from an impressively varied range of industries, focusing closely, though by no means exclusively, on contentious matters.
    • Chris Prestwich is really responsive, reliable and easy to work with.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Chris is an excellent advisor, with a great technical ability.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 2Matthew Whittle
    Band 2Matthew Whittle

    Matthew Whittle

    Matthew Whittle is a busy and popular Melbourne-based lawyer who is regularly instructed on significant receiverships, liquidations and restructurings, bringing to the table extensive experience in litigated matters and the handling of those involving SMEs.
    • He is a highly technical insolvency lawyer but also very commercial.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Matthew Whittle is an excellent and commercially minded practitioner.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Matthew is a high-class operator and one of the best in the field.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Philip Blaxill
    Band 3Philip Blaxill

    Philip Blaxill

    Philip Blaxill is a Perth-based lawyer who advises clients on restructuring and insolvency matters in a number of sectors, including mining and aged care. He is particularly active on litigated matters and on those involving distressed borrowers.
    • Philip provides clear legal advice and is very good at supporting our strategic commercial approach to complex transactions.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Tania Cini
    Band 4Tania Cini

    Tania Cini

    Tania Cini is an experienced, Melbourne-based practitioner who regularly advises creditors and insolvency practitioners in relation to financial distress issues arising from a variety of  industries and business sectors, including manufacturing, property, resources and transport. Interviewees are quick to identify her capabilities as a litigator.
    • Tania is a dedicated partner with the skills and knowledge to handle fast-paced and complex litigation. She understands commercial needs and strives to protect the best interests of her clients.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Up and ComingGavin Rakoczy
    Up and ComingGavin Rakoczy

    Gavin Rakoczy

    Gavin Rakoczy has a strong practice advising clients in relation to complex restructuring issues. He has notable strength in relation to litigious issues.

    • Gavin has been fantastic from a legal perspective and thinks about ways to navigate risks.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Gavin Rakoczy is passionate and one hundred percent committed.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Gavin is very smart. Whilst he has firm views, he is also open to adapting and looking at things differently. He’s a proactive and tough lawyer who is very driven and he cares.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Allens (6)

Australia

Members

Provided by Allens

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