“I protect and strategically advance my clients’ interests.”
Steven specialises in and leads the Insolvency & Restructuring, and Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice at Addisons.
At the core of Steven’s practice is advice to corporate & commercial clients (directors, members, creditors and debtors) during periods of actual or potential financial stress. Often, this work requires various regulatory considerations and responding to investigations (particularly by ASIC). Also, in this space, Steven regularly acts for corporate external administrators (whether as voluntary administrators/deed administrators, liquidators or receivers) as well as bankruptcy trustees.
As an experienced litigator in numerous Australian jurisdictions (and abroad), Steven acts across a wide range of complex corporate and commercial disputes, including shareholder oppression/disputes, as well as claims involving deceased estates and issues of succession.
By extension of his core skill sets, another area of Steven’s practice is the work he does in providing corporate and commercial advice to assist with the financial settlements between separating parties in large matrimonial estates, often involving litigation in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Administration & Liquidation of Property Developer — acted for the external administrators of failed property developers regarding projects in rural NSW and regional Victoria, pursued claims against former directors, advisors and related parties to recoup company losses for creditors and investors.
ASIC — acted for section 19 examinees in connection with a tech start-up.
Austral Enterprises Pty Ltd (Receiver & Manager Appointed) (In Liquidation) — acted for the court-appointed receiver and then liquidator of a foundry business following a shareholder dispute.
Calverly Properties (Kingswood Birches) Limited (In Administration) — acted for the administrators of a UK-based property fund in respect of fraudulent conduct perpetrated by the directors and their professional advisors resulting in multi-million pound losses for investors and the major secured creditor, Clydesdale Bank.
Deceased Estate — acted on a family provision act claim in respect of a deceased estate with an estimated value of more than $40m.
Financial Settlement — acted for one of the parties to a matrimonial separation in the unwinding of a significant rural enterprise involving various trust, corporate and joint venture structures, and separate litigation in both the Supreme Court of NSW and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Guvera Australia Pty Limited and Guv Services Pty Limited (both, In Liquidation) — acted for the liquidators of the failed music streaming start-up that resulted in investor losses of ~$180m, undertook public examinations and pursued recovery actions.
ICRA Rolleston Pty Ltd (In Administration) — acted for the administrators of the company, whose interests included a coal mining enterprise at Rolleston, QLD.
Lehman Brothers — assisted with the external administration of the Asian-based Lehman entities regarding the affairs of their subsidiaries, the Australian-based Lehman entities.
Ovato Limited (ASX: OVT) — acted for the group’s secured creditor in connection with the voluntary administration and ultimate sale to IVE Group (ASX: IGL).
Regency Funding — acted for the litigation funder of multiple airbag class actions against various international motor vehicle manufacturers, including applications regarding the Court’s powers to make common fund orders and, ultimately, settlement approval of a $52m resolution of 6 of those class actions.
Shareholder Dispute — acted for the minority shareholder in oppression proceedings regarding the operations of a renowned Sydney restaurant business.
Sirtex Medical Limited (ASX: SRX) — acted for Sirtex on the Scheme of Arrangement.
Committees and memberships
Admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia,
Member, Law Society of New South Wales
Fellow, Australian Restructuring, Insolvency & Turnaround Association (ARITA)
Member, International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals (INSOL International)
Industries
Building and Construction
Financial Services
Hospitality
Professional Services
Property
Property and Commercial Development
Retail
Startup
Technology
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts, University of Sydney
Bachelor of Law, University of Sydney