Prior to joining Landers, he was a partner at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright for over three years. He is dual-qualified in Australia and in England and Wales, having worked at both BP and Linklaters in the UK.

His experience, the firm said, spans complex, high-profile insolvency and contentious matters, including Lehman Brothers, and appearing in superior courts in multiple jurisdictions, including Australia, England and the Cayman Islands, and his arrival at Landers comes in response to increasing client demand for specialised insolvency and restructuring legal services as businesses globally face worsening economic conditions.

Speaking about the firm’s newest partner, Landers commercial disputes practice lead Johnathan Quilty noted Mr Turner’s experience and network would further enhance the practice’s breadth and depth of expertise.

“Jonathon is recognised as a leading restructuring, insolvency, and complex litigation lawyer and has worked on some of the most complex insolvency and litigation matters of our time during his career,” he said.

“His considerable knowledge and expertise will be of significant benefit to our clients and our firm as we embark on the next stage of our growth in Sydney.”

In a statement, Mr Turner detailed that current economic volatility is proving challenging for many businesses, including in the US, UK and European markets, which he said are often a barometer for Australia’s horizon, particularly regarding regulation and disputes.

“Businesses across the globe are experiencing heightened financial pressures due to a range of factors, including rising inflation and interest rates, supply-chain issues, increased costs of goods, evolving compliance obligations and risk such as ESG issues, and geopolitical tensions,” he opined.

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Australia’s residential and commercial construction sector, for example, “has faced significant distress in recent years, in particular due to a rapid escalation in costs, including materials, supply chain issues, inflation, interest rate rises and the continued effects of the pandemic such as labour shortages more than 12 months after the country has reopened”.

This said, there are opportunities in the face of such significant risks and challenges for businesses, Mr Turner suggested.

“On one hand, there’s the prospect of repositioning a company for growth and strengthening it for future success. This could mean rationalisation, diversifying supply chains, identifying alternative markets, or leveraging distressed debt or alternative lending options for those experiencing financial distress.

“On the other hand, there are opportunities for acquiring underperforming businesses or assets that, with structural change and the right support, represent profitable investments that can enhance overall business value for acquiring companies or funds,” he said.