European law firm Fieldfisher is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Keane as an insolvency litigation partner in its Manchester office

European law firm Fieldfisher is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Keane as an insolvency litigation partner in its Manchester office, fortifying the firm’s national practice and position in the North of England market. Chris joins from Clarke Willmott and starts on 2 January 2024.

With a wealth of experience in contentious personal and corporate insolvency, Chris is a seasoned advisor to banks, financiers, insolvency practitioners, directors, and stakeholders. His skillset and network in the North of England region will give Fieldfisher a highly desirable edge in the industry.

Chris specialises in contentious insolvency matters, including complex antecedent transactions and procedural applications under the Insolvency Act 1986. His expertise extends to handling substantial and highly technical claims brought by insolvency practitioners, often involving fraud and complex multi-jurisdictional recovery options.

Notably, Chris has been involved in several high-profile reported cases, including advising liquidators of a company involved in a large multi-jurisdictional tax fraud, assisting a trustee in bankruptcy in obtaining freezing injunctions in India, and providing counsel to a London-based property entrepreneur facing creditor claims in excess of £300 million.

Chris will also be joined by Solicitor Keir Merrick.

Chris’s addition will boost Fieldfisher’s current restructuring and insolvency offering which consists of partners Stewart Perry, Kit Jarvis, Robin Spender and Carly Schiff in London and Michelle Shean in Manchester.

Manchester serves as a pivotal strategic location for the firm, exemplified by the recent appointments of real estate transactional expert Claire Hamilton, construction specialist Jahanara Hussein and Beth Thompson, a health & safety and regulatory lawyer.

Dispute resolution is the largest offering at Fieldfisher across the UK network and Chris’s appointment follows a string of investments in this area, which includes the recent hires of an eight-strong competition litigation team in July 2023 and arbitration specialist Ania Farren at the beginning of 2023.

Commenting on his appointment, Restructuring & Insolvency Partner at Fieldfisher and chair of the R3 General Technical Committee, Stewart Perry, said:
Chris joins the firm at a time where the rise in the levels of insolvency is reminiscent of the global financial crisis. With the market expecting an increased need for people with his skill set, his reputation, wealth of knowledge and calm yet strategic approach to litigation will be valued by clients.

Head of Dispute Resolution Manchester, James Lappin, added: Manchester and the wider Northwest region are a key strategic hub for disputes work. Chris’s appointment reflects our commitment to expanding our capabilities in Manchester and we’re pleased to be able to provide this offering to clients. Chris will be a great fit in our diverse team in Manchester and I very much look forward to collaborating with him.

In response to his appointment, Chris Keane stated: Fieldfisher has an excellent reputation across the UK and Europe. This is a really exciting opportunity to further develop my practice and work with leading experts in insolvency and other sectors. I look forward to leveraging the firm’s platform to enhance the services I offer to clients and contributing to the continued success of Fieldfisher’s restructuring and insolvency practice.