The 2026 listing of leading Queensland Insolvency & Restructuring Lawyers details solicitors practising in insolvency, debt recovery and reconstruction matters in the Queensland legal market who have been identified by clients and peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Preeminent
James Conomos, JCL Law Partners
Richard Cowen, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Scott Guthrie, Thomsons
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Leading
Scott Butler, Hall & Wilcox
Glenn Caligaris, McInnes Wilson
Michael Ilott, Allens
Philip Pan, Mallesons
Stephen Russell, Russells
David Schwarz, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Recommended
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Ben Cohen, Bartley Cohen
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
Malisa Craig, Russells
Daniel Davey, Davey & Associates
Chad Gear, Gear & Co
Dugald Hamilton, 23 Legal
Wayne Jenvey, HWL Ebsworth
Mark Madsen, Mullins Lawyers
Justin Marschke, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Millie Russell, Russells
Rocco Russo, Cooper Grace Ward
Daniel Ryan, Davidson Ryan
Craig Shepherd, Murdoch Lawyers
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
Peter Smith, Johnson Winter Slattery
Levi Smouha, Agility Law Group
Ashley Tiplady, Mills Oakley
Glen Williams, Colin Biggers & Paisley
Previous editions
2025 edition published June 2025
Preeminent
James Conomos, JCL Law Partners
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Leading
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Scott Butler, Hall & Wilcox
Richard Cowen, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Scott Guthrie, Thomson Geer
Justin Marschke, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Stephen Russell, Russells
David Schwarz, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Recommended
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Glenn Caligaris, McInnes Wilson
Ben Cohen, Bartley Cohen
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Derek Cronin, Cronin Miller
Chad Gear, Gear & Co
Garry Hamilton, Taylor David
Michael Ilott, Allens
Wayne Jenvey, HWL Ebsworth
David O'Farrell, Gadens
Millie Russell, Russells
Rocco Russo, Cooper Grace Ward
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
Peter Smith, Johnson Winter Slattery
Scott Taylor, Taylor David
Michael Vickery, MinterEllison
2024 edition published July 2024
Preeminent
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Leading
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Richard Cowen, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Stephen Russell, Russells
David Schwarz, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
Peter Smith, Johnson Winter Slattery
Recommended
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Scott Butler, Hall & Wilcox
Glenn Caligaris, McInnes Wilson
Ben Cohen, Bartley Cohen
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
Emma Costello, King & Wood Mallesons
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Ian Dorey, K&L Gates
Chad Gear, Gear & Co
Scott Guthrie, Thomson Geer
Garry Hamilton, Taylor David
Michael Ilott, Allens
Ian Innes, Baker McKenzie
Wayne Jenvey, HWL Ebsworth
Justin Marschke, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Rocco Russo, Cooper Grace Ward
Scott Taylor, Taylor David
Michael Vickery, MinterEllison
2023 edition published July 2023
Preeminent
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Peter Smith, Johnson Winter Slattery
Leading
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Scott Butler, Hall & Wilcox
Emma Costello, King & Wood Mallesons
Richard Cowen, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Scott Guthrie, Thomson Geer
Garry Hamilton, Taylor David
David Schwarz, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
Recommended
Matthew Broderick, HWL Ebsworth
Glenn Caligaris, McInnes Wilson
Ben Cohen, Bartley Cohen
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Ian Dorey, K&L Gates
Chad Gear, Gear & Co
Michael Ilott, Allens
Ian Innes, Baker McKenzie
Wayne Jenvey, HWL Ebsworth
Justin Marschke, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Justin McDonnell, King & Wood Mallesons
David O'Farrell, McCullough Robertson
Greg Rodgers, RBG Lawyers
Stephen Russell, Russells
Scott Taylor, Taylor David
Michael Vickery, MinterEllison
Glen Williams, Colin Biggers & Paisley
2022 edition published July 2022
Preeminent
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Peter Smith, Johnson Winter & Slattery
Leading
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Scott Butler, Hall & Wilcox
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
Richard Cowen, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Scott Guthrie, Thomson Geer
Garry Hamilton, Taylor David
Wayne Jenvey, HWL Ebsworth
David Schwarz, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Recommended
Matthew Broderick, HWL Ebsworth
Glenn Caligaris, McInnes Wilson
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
Emma Costello, King & Wood Mallesons
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Chad Gear, Taylor David
Michael Ilott, Allens
Ian Innes, Baker McKenzie
Warren Jiear, HWL Ebsworth
Justin Marschke, Cowen Schwarz Marschke
Justin McDonnell, King & Wood Mallesons
David O'Brien, MinterEllison
David O'Farrell, McCullough Robertson
Stephen Russell, Russells
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
2021 edition published July 2021
Market Leader
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Preeminent
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
Richard Cowen, Tucker & Cowen
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Peter Smith, Johnson Winter & Slattery
Leading
Matthew Broderick, HWL Ebsworth
Scott Butler, Hall & Wilcox
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
Scott Guthrie, Thomson Geer
Garry Hamilton, Taylor David
Michael Ilott, Allens
Justin McDonnell, King & Wood Mallesons
David O'Brien, MinterEllison
Stephen Russell, Russells
David Schwarz, Tucker & Cowen
Recommended
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Ian Bloemendal, Clayton Utz
Glenn Caligaris, McInnes Wilson
Emma Costello, King & Wood Mallesons
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Daniel Davey, Davey & Associates
Ian Dorey, K&L Gates
Chad Gear, Taylor David
Ian Innes, Baker McKenzie
Darrell Jardine, HopgoodGanim
Wayne Jenvey, HWL Ebsworth
John Lobban, Murdoch Lawyers
Justin Marschke, Tucker & Cowen
David O'Farrell, McCullough Robertson
Greg Rodgers, RBG Lawyers
Rocco Russo, Cooper Grace Ward
Ben Shaw, Tucker & Cowen
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
2020 edition published June 2020
Preeminent
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
Richard Cowen, Tucker & Cowen
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Leading
Matthew Broderick, HWL Ebsworth
Scott Butler, McCullough Robertson
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
David O'Brien, MinterEllison
Geoff Rankin, Allens
Peter Schmidt, Norton Rose Fulbright
David Schwarz, Tucker & Cowen
Peter Smith, Johnson Winter & Slattery
Recommended
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Ian Bloemendal, Clayton Utz
Glenn Caligaris, McInnes Wilson
Emma Costello, King & Wood Mallesons
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Daniel Davey, Tucker & Cowen
Ian Dorey, K&L Gates
Garry Hamilton, Taylor David
Wiebke Herrmann, James Conomos Lawyers
Michael Ilott, Allens
Ian Innes, Baker McKenzie
Wayne Jenvey, HWL Ebsworth
John Lobban, Murdoch Lawyers
Justin Marschke, Tucker & Cowen
Justin McDonnell, King & Wood Mallesons
David O'Farrell, HWL Ebsworth
Ross Perrett, Clayton Utz
Greg Rodgers, RBG Lawyers
Stephen Russell, Russells
Rocco Russo, Cooper Grace Ward
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
2019 edition published June 2019
Preeminent
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
Richard Cowen, Tucker & Cowen
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Peter Smith, Herbert Smith Freehills
Leading
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Matthew Broderick, HWL Ebsworth
Scott Butler, McCullough Robertson
David O'Brien, MinterEllison
Geoff Rankin, Allens
Peter Schmidt, Norton Rose Fulbright
David Schwarz, Tucker & Cowen
Recommended
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Glenn Caligaris, McInnes Wilson
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
Emma Costello, King & Wood Mallesons
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Daniel Davey, Tucker & Cowen
Ian Dorey, K&L Gates
Chad Gear, Taylor David
Scott Guthrie, Dentons
Garry Hamilton, Taylor David
Wiebke Herrmann, James Conomos Lawyers
Michael Ilott, Allens
Ian Innes, Baker McKenzie
Wayne Jenvey, HWL Ebsworth
Warren Jiear, HWL Ebsworth
John Lobban, Murdoch Lawyers
Justin Marschke, Tucker & Cowen
Cameron McKenzie, DWF
David O'Farrell, HWL Ebsworth
Greg Rodgers, RBG Lawyers
Stephen Russell, Russells
Rocco Russo, Cooper Grace Ward
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
David Tucker, Tucker & Cowen
2018 edition published June 2018
Preeminent
Richard Cowen, Tucker & Cowen
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Peter Smith, Herbert Smith Freehills
Leading
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
David O'Brien, MinterEllison
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Geoff Rankin, Allens
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Peter Schmidt, Norton Rose Fulbright
David Schwarz, Tucker & Cowen
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
Recommended
Kimberly Arden, Gadens
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Matthew Broderick, HWL Ebsworth
Scott Butler, McCullough Robertson
Ben Cohen, Bartley Cohen
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
Emma Costello, King & Wood Mallesons
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Ian Dorey, K&L Gates
Scott Guthrie, Dentons
Wiebke Herrmann, James Conomos Lawyers
Michael Ilott, Allens
Ian Innes, Baker McKenzie
Warren Jiear, HWL Ebsworth
John Lobban, Baker McKenzie
Justin Marschke, Tucker & Cowen
Cameron McKenzie, Gadens
David O'Farrell, HWL Ebsworth
Greg Rodgers, RBG Lawyers
Stephen Russell, Russells
Rocco Russo, Cooper Grace Ward
Mark Schneider, Norton Rose Fulbright
David Tucker, Tucker & Cowen
2017 edition published July 2017
Preeminent
Richard Cowen, Tucker & Cowen
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Geoff Rankin, Allens
Peter Smith, Herbert Smith Freehills
Leading
Scott Butler, McCullough Robertson
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
David O'Brien, MinterEllison
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Stephen Russell, Russells
Peter Schmidt, Norton Rose Fulbright
David Tucker, Tucker & Cowen
Recommended
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Matthew Broderick, HWL Ebsworth
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Ian Dorey, K&L Gates
Guy Edgecombe, Gadens
Scott Guthrie, DibbsBarker
Wiebke Herrmann, James Conomos Lawyers
Michael Ilott, Allens
Michael Kimmins, Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Justin Marschke, Tucker & Cowen
Cameron McKenzie, Gadens
David O'Farrell, HWL Ebsworth
Graham Roberts, Cooper Grace Ward
Greg Rodgers, Rodgers Barnes & Green
Rocco Russo, Cooper Grace Ward
David Schwarz, Tucker & Cowen
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
2016 edition published June 2016
Preeminent
David O'Brien, MinterEllison
Geoff Rankin, Allens
Peter Smith, Herbert Smith Freehills
Leading
Brett Cook, Clayton Utz
James Conomos, James Conomos Lawyers
Richard Cowen, Tucker & Cowen
John Lobban, Ashurst
David O'Farrell, HWL Ebsworth
Alf Pappalardo, Allens
Philip Pan, King & Wood Mallesons
Peter Schmidt, Norton Rose Fulbright
David Tucker, Tucker & Cowen
Recommended
Meredith Bennett, Ashurst
Paul Betros, HopgoodGanim
Matthew Broderick, HWL Ebsworth
Damien Butler, Colin Biggers & Paisley
Scott Butler, McCullough Robertson
Scott Couper, Gadens
Malisa Craig, Russells
Scott Guthrie, DibbsBarker
Garry Hamilton, MinterEllison
Troy Hawthorn, Nicholsons
Wiebke Hermann, James Conomos Lawyers
Michael Ilott, Allens
Justin Marschke, Tucker & Cowen
Cameron McKenzie, Gadens
Dan Pennicott, Gadens
Greg Rodgers, Rodgers Barners & Green
Stephen Russell, Russells
Scott Sharry, Clayton Utz
Mark Schneider, Henry Davis York
David Schwarz, Tucker & Cowen
Melinda Smith, MinterEllison
2012 edition published September 2012
Preeminent
John Lobban – Ashurst
Alf Pappalardo – Allens
Leading
Matthew Broderick – Gadens Lawyers
Garry Hamilton – Minter Ellison
David O’Brien – Minter Ellison
David O’Farrell – Minter Ellison
Geoff Rankin – Allens
Peter Schmidt – Norton Rose
Peter Smith - Freehills
Recommended
Scott Butler – McCullough Robertson
James Conomos – James Conomos Lawyers
Brett Cook – Clayton Utz
Richard Cowen – Tucker & Cowen
Wayne Jenvey – HWL Ebsworth
Michael Kimmins - Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Cameron McKenzie – DibbsBarker
Philip Pan – King & Wood Mallesons
Dan Pennicott – Gadens
David Tucker – Tucker & Cowen
To view the 2012 listing of Queensland's leading insolvency and reconstruction law firms please click here.