Overview

Global Elite Thought Leader Neil McDonald wins overwhelming praise from market players... He impresses across a number of areas of expertise, including corporate turnarounds and distressed acquisitions.” “The top lawyer in Hong Kong,” “highly impressive figure in the market” and “the go-to adviser for debt restructurings.”

- Who’s Who Legal, Chambers Greater China

Neil McDonald comes to the aid of large global companies in financial distress. Bringing years of experience, a broad knowledge base and polished strategic skills, Neil advises on an expansive range of issues that arise in the restructuring and insolvency of troubled companies. Neil also advises financial institutions, insolvency appointment holders, turnaround management firms and hedge funds in respect of distressed situations. This includes helping clients source and maximize lucrative opportunities that manifest from financial distress. 

Apart from his work in the distressed world, Neil is a market leader when it comes to assisting private equity firms involved in tricky portfolio entanglements in emerging markets. He is known for engineering creative and pragmatic “exit solutions” for private equity clients who have investments that are in trouble.  

Recognized as a leading lawyer for restructuring and insolvency by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Chambers Asia-Pacific, Chambers Greater China, IFLR1000 and PLC Which Lawyer? guide book, Neil leads the Firm’s restructuring practice in Asia.

As a trusted advisor who’s frequently brought in as “war counsel” in a crisis, Neil knows he must make difficult choices under great pressure — a role he embraces. A big believer in straightforward recommendations in tough situations, he strives for clarity and decisiveness and rejects fence-sitting approaches. According to Chambers & Partners, clients described Neil as “the top leader on most high-profile work”, “one of the best contact books in the region” and “extremely able and brings the entire Firm’s resources to bear on a particular project.” He is “very well regarded – the first person to turn to,” “a dream lawyer to work with” and is “head and shoulders the most experienced liquidation lawyer in town." Clients also named Neil as “one of the best-known lawyers in restructuring in Asia” and “the best-trusted adviser in Hong Kong for restructuring , distress and crisis management.” A client commented that he has “the necessary experience” and helps “to navigate, finds a way through, with a minimum of pain.”

Neil’s international investor clients turn to him for common-sense advice on investments and a proper assessment of the risks involved, particularly in the often-chaotic environment of emerging markets. His clients rely on him to manage and guide them through their most difficult journeys: often matters that can cause severe reputational damage to a company if not handled quickly and with great care. Businesses know that Neil has the ability to right their ship in critical situations and help solve problems that they can’t solve themselves.

With a well-earned a reputation as a tenacious advocate, Neil prides himself on his 24/7 responsiveness and his refusal to never back down from a fight. At the same time, he’s known as a hopeful, upbeat person with a good sense of humor and the capability of showing clients that — even in the most stressful situations — there is almost always a positive outcome within reach. 

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Recognition

“Band 1 Lawyer” in Restructuring/Insolvency (China: International Firms) by Chambers Greater China/Asia-Pacific for 14 consecutive years, 2011–2024

“Hall of Fame” in Restructuring & Insolvency (Hong Kong) by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021–2024

“Leading Individual” in Restructuring & Insolvency (Hong Kong) by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2016–2020

“Leading Individual” in Restructuring & Insolvency (China: Foreign Firms) by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2021–2024

“Market Leader” in Restructuring and Insolvency by IFLR1000 Asia Pacific, 2018–2024

“Leading Lawyer” in Restructuring and Insolvency by IFLR1000 Asia Pacific, 2015–2017

“Asia Best Lawyer” in Asia Pacific by IFLR, 2020

“Litigation Star” for Insolvency by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, 2021–2024

“Dispute Resolution Star” for Insolvency by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific, 2019–2020

“Global Elite Thought Leader” for Restructuring & Insolvency by Who’s Who Legal Hong Kong, 2022–2024

“Global Leader” for Asset Recovery and Restructuring & Insolvency by Who's Who Legal, 2022

“National Leader” for Asset Recovery and Restructuring & Insolvency in Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR by Who's Who Legal, 2022

“MVPs of the Year” by Law360, 2017

Neil was mentioned in August 2022 issue of Turnarounds & Workouts in which Kirkland was recognized as one of the top Asia-Pacific Restructuring Practices of U.S. Law Firms

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2002Hong KongSolicitor

Courts

  • High Court of Hong Kong
  • Supreme Court of Western Australia
  • Supreme Court of New South Wales
  • High Court of Australia

Education

  • University of Western AustraliaLL.B.1991
  • University of Western AustraliaB. Juris.1990