Lionel Meehan

Lionel Meehan

Partner
The technical knowledge and expertise of Lionel Meehan was incredibly impressive, as was his ability to explain what were very complex technical legal principles and issues to different audiences with varying levels of understanding. His responsiveness and ability to make himself available to me throughout what was a very lengthy engagement was rare in my experience.
— Legal 500 Australia 2025 - Restructuring and Insolvency
Melbourne
About

Lionel is a market-leading restructuring and insolvency partner based in DLA Piper's Melbourne office.

Lionel has over 25 years' experience advising on all aspects of restructuring and insolvency, including safe harbour, cross-border insolvency, business turnaround, workouts, debt-trading, administration, receivership, liquidation, schemes of arrangement, lending and security issues under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA), and insolvency litigation.

Lionel is widely regarded as an authority on security issues under the PPSA, having authored a textbook on this legislation, and published many articles in this and related areas.

Lionel has practised in Australia, London and Japan, and speaks fluent Japanese.

Areas of FocusFinancial ServicesRestructuringEnergy and Natural ResourcesInfrastructure, Construction and TransportReal EstateTechnology
Professional QualificationsSolicitor of the Senior Courts of England and WalesBarrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria

EXPERIENCE

  • Safe harbour: numerous significant safe harbour engagements across a range of industries and businesses.
  • Deeds of company arrangement: acting for proponents and other stakeholders to structure and implement deeds of company arrangement to purchase businesses from administration.
  • Cross border insolvency and recognitions: active in all aspects of cross border restructuring and insolvency, including recognition of foreign proceedings in Australia pursuant to the Cross Border Insolvency Act 2008 (Cth)
  • Receivership, administration and liquidation: extensive experience acting for insolvency officeholders and other stakeholders in all aspects of receiverships, administrations and liquidations.
  • Lending and security: advises on all aspects of lending and taking security pursuant to the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth).
  • Sovereign and government: numerous mandates acting for governments and other sovereign bodies in relation to their strategic investments and objectives.
  • Insolvency litigation: extensive experience in all aspects of insolvency-related litigation.
  • Gaming and entertainment sectors: significant experience in acting for a range of stakeholders in the gaming and entertainment sectors.
  • Aviation and aerospace: significant range of mandates across the aviation and aerospace industries.
  • Japanese investment in Australia: regularly acts for Japanese investors in Australia.
Languages
  • English
  • Japanese

Awards

  • Lionel is recognised by Best Lawyers as a Leading Individual for Insolvency & Reorganisation (2008-2019)
  • Legal 500 Australia (2022-2026)
Education
  • University of Tokyo, Master of Laws, 2001
  • Murdoch University, Bachelor of Laws, 1998
  • Murdoch University, Bachelor of Asian Studies (Japanese)

Prior Experience

Lionel was a partner and senior associate at London-based law firms and has spent time in-house working with clients.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Tokyo University Alumni, Melbourne Chapter
  • Insolvency Law Bulletin, Editorial Board

My latest insights

News

DLA Piper advises Gaston International on proposed acquisition of Lucapa Diamond Company,...

20 August 2025 .1 minute read

Publication

The Tail(end) of Two Airlines: Legal Lessons from Bonza and Rex Collapses

12 June 2025 .9 minute read

News

Successfully obtained recognition of Swiss liquidation

16 January 2024 .2 minute read

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Phone

+61 3 9274 5127
(Work, Melbourne)
+61 435 190 133
(Mobile)