Alex is a restructuring & insolvency lawyer and a partner in the Sydney office of global law firm K&L Gates.
Alex has over 20 years’ experience working on restructuring and insolvency matters across a wide range of industries and sectors including real estate, energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, technology, retail, leisure and financial services.
Alex’s professional experience has been divided between Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) and the UK (London) and the restructuring projects she has worked on have spanned four continents. In addition to her time in private practice, Alex has worked in-house in the restructuring team of Royal Bank of Scotland, the legal team of Credit Agricole and the legal team of ANZ bank.
Alex is a former member of the NSW IWIRC committee (predecessor to WINA) and currently chairs the Women in the Profession committee for the Sydney office of K&L Gates.
Q. How did you choose a career in insolvency/restructuring?
As a trainee lawyer in London in the late 1990s, I spent time working with an insolvency partner and I enjoyed the variety of the work, ranging from board advisory engagements on restructuring projects to formal court applications in administrations. When I was deciding where to settle as an admitted lawyer, the appeal of taking a career path with the variety that insolvency offered swung it for me.
Q. How did you get to where you are today?
I would describe my career path as “non-linear”. I have moved between private practice and in-house roles several times and relocated cities and countries 6 times. I’ve had the privilege of learning from smart, inspirational colleagues and working with interesting and engaging clients. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about many different industries, sectors and economic challenges and to apply learnings to new and evolving situations. Looking back, I believe that at every step of my journey I have learned the skills necessary and developed an understanding of what matters to the client, which has led to me securing the support of colleagues, clients and career sponsors, both female and male, and progressing successfully.
Q. What advice would you provide to your younger self?
Patience, kindness, respect for others and listening skills go a long way both in work life and in home life! Time spent learning about your colleagues and clients and what drives and interests them is time well spent. You want your work choice to be engaging on a social level, given how much of our lives we devote to work!
Q. What has been your most memorable moment during your career?
That’s hard to pick.
For moments during work hours, I will never forget a court hearing regarding the insolvency of a chain of “exotic dancing clubs” during which the judge asked our client’s barrister to explain the difference between lap dancing and table dancing.
Outside of the office, I once managed to win the NSW Women Lawyers’ Snowboarding race dressed as a superhero after every other race contestant wiped out on the Thredbo ice and I was the only finisher still standing!
Q. What is an interesting fact about you?
I spent three years living in Mumbai, India, during which I undertook charitable volunteer work teaching underprivileged children and also provided volunteer support to the Australia and New Zealand Business Association in India. That experience has given me a really global outlook and filled me with respect for those who dedicate themselves to helping those less fortunate.
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About Alex
Alex is a restructuring & insolvency lawyer and a partner in the Sydney office of global law firm K&L Gates.
Alex has over 20 years’ experience working on restructuring and insolvency matters across a wide range of industries and sectors including real estate, energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, technology, retail, leisure and financial services.
Alex’s professional experience has been divided between Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) and the UK (London) and the restructuring projects she has worked on have spanned four continents. In addition to her time in private practice, Alex has worked in-house in the restructuring team of Royal Bank of Scotland, the legal team of Credit Agricole and the legal team of ANZ bank.
Alex is a former member of the NSW IWIRC committee (predecessor to WINA) and currently chairs the Women in the Profession committee for the Sydney office of K&L Gates.
Q. How did you choose a career in insolvency/restructuring?
As a trainee lawyer in London in the late 1990s, I spent time working with an insolvency partner and I enjoyed the variety of the work, ranging from board advisory engagements on restructuring projects to formal court applications in administrations. When I was deciding where to settle as an admitted lawyer, the appeal of taking a career path with the variety that insolvency offered swung it for me.
Q. How did you get to where you are today?
I would describe my career path as “non-linear”. I have moved between private practice and in-house roles several times and relocated cities and countries 6 times. I’ve had the privilege of learning from smart, inspirational colleagues and working with interesting and engaging clients. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about many different industries, sectors and economic challenges and to apply learnings to new and evolving situations. Looking back, I believe that at every step of my journey I have learned the skills necessary and developed an understanding of what matters to the client, which has led to me securing the support of colleagues, clients and career sponsors, both female and male, and progressing successfully.
Q. What advice would you provide to your younger self?
Patience, kindness, respect for others and listening skills go a long way both in work life and in home life! Time spent learning about your colleagues and clients and what drives and interests them is time well spent. You want your work choice to be engaging on a social level, given how much of our lives we devote to work!
Q. What has been your most memorable moment during your career?
That’s hard to pick.
For moments during work hours, I will never forget a court hearing regarding the insolvency of a chain of “exotic dancing clubs” during which the judge asked our client’s barrister to explain the difference between lap dancing and table dancing.
Outside of the office, I once managed to win the NSW Women Lawyers’ Snowboarding race dressed as a superhero after every other race contestant wiped out on the Thredbo ice and I was the only finisher still standing!
Q. What is an interesting fact about you?
I spent three years living in Mumbai, India, during which I undertook charitable volunteer work teaching underprivileged children and also provided volunteer support to the Australia and New Zealand Business Association in India. That experience has given me a really global outlook and filled me with respect for those who dedicate themselves to helping those less fortunate.