Expertise
John is highly sought for his business acumen, strategic
insights and lateral thinking in complex transactions and disputes.
His clients view him as a trusted advisor, and his reputation and
expertise inspire confidence and provide a platform for ongoing
success.
His particular expertise lies in mergers and acquisitions
(shares, units and assets), corporate advice (including
governance), general commercial documentation (including loan
facilities and associated securities, terms of supply and terms of
credit) and laterally inspired resolutions to disputes.
John is highly regarded in the corporate reconstruction and
insolvency arena. His areas of expertise include security
instruments, ROT claims, schemes of arrangement, deeds of company
arrangement and advising on the unique elements associated with the
sale of assets of distressed companies.
He has also played a significant role in shaping our culture and
encouraging our growth, having been with the firm for over 34
years.
In articles appearing in The
Australian on 3 September
2010,[1] John was named as one of the nation's best
lawyers, along with three other partners in our firm - Louise Houlihan, Levent Shevki and Nicole Stevens-Warton.
In the same articles, Cornwall Stodart was acknowledged as
walking among the giants of the legal industry and was
placed ahead of some top-tier and/or international firms. To see
our Media Release and the full articles, please click
here.
Experience
John's experience includes:
- acting for the management team in the buyout of one of
Australia's largest mortgage originators
- acting for a leading Australian motor vehicle manufacturer in
representing its interests, following the financial failures of
component suppliers
- acting for the vendors in the sale of two major metropolitan
bus lines
- advising on the acquisition of assets of Babcock & Brown
subsidiaries
- acting on the acquisition of a national civil construction
company
- advising on aspects of public-private partnership
projects.
Pro bono and Community Work
John has provided legal advice and support to the Sisters of the
Good Shepherd for many years. In 2004 he was appointed to the Board
of Good Shepherd Aged Services.
In 2009 John was appointed Chairman of the Board of Good
Shepherd Australia and New Zealand, a not for profit organisation
which ensures sound governance, management and resourcing of Good
Shepherd ministries and assets, and supports disadvantaged,
marginalised and oppressed persons, families and communities.
Memberships and Associations
Law Institute of Victoria
Turnaround Management Association
Insolvency Practitioners Association of Australia
Insol International
Qualifications
Bachelor or Laws (the University of Melbourne)
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practise
Victoria
New South Wales
[1] Mid-tier lawyers join the A-team and Level
playing field as smaller firms push into top rankings (p 33),
Ron Pol, The Australian, 3 September 2010