Biography
Susan is recognised as one of Queensland's leading litigation and insolvency lawyers. She advises some of Australia's largest retail, commercial and agribusiness banking and financial institutions on complex disputes, with a focus on general commercial disputes, complex disputes arising from financiers' regulatory and other obligations, secured and unsecured asset enforcement, insolvency proceedings and loss minimisation strategies.
Her work is litigation-led and focused on resolving complex commercial disputes, including matters involving fraud, competing creditor interests, disputed evidence and credibility issues. Susan is recognised for her ability to manage high-risk matters pragmatically, minimise potential financial loss and pursue enforcement strategies that are legally robust and align with her clients' accountability standards.
Her work spans multi-jurisdictional actions and high-stakes recovery, including sensitive enforcement matters across both regulated and unregulated facilities. She advises on regulatory and dispute resolution processes, including AFCA matters and has significant experience in balancing regulatory obligations with effective enforcement outcomes.
Susan's experience
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ING Bank
Advised in proceedings brought by a consumer seeking more than $3.4m in relation to a mortgage managed program loan. Successfully obtained security for costs, overcoming arguments that the plaintiff’s financial circumstances should prevent such orders. -
Australian-based lender
Defended Supreme Court proceedings seeking more than $310mfor alleged fraud, misrepresentation, negligence, breach of contract, unconscionable conduct and breaches of statutory and fiduciary duties. The claims were dismissed without leave to replead and the decision upheld on appeal. -
Australian-based lender
Advised in defence of a Federal Court claim asserting breach of regulatory obligations involving lost opportunity claim, requiring deep understanding of causation, alleged breach and loss. Matter resolved before proceeding to trial with Applicants abandoning claim. -
Confidential client
Advised receivers and managers in a dispute with the Commonwealth regarding distributions to secured creditors, raising novel PPSA issues concerning circulating assets and the classification of lease and sub-lease rights. The matter was resolved at mediation. -
Confidential client
Advised a lender in a High Court matter on recovery of assigned debts, addressing whether a 'round-robin' constituted an advance under the loan. -
Confidential client
Advised a lender in a Court of Appeal matter in respect of enforceability of guarantees, addressing whether guarantees are binding if guarantors failed to sight or have the full document available when signing the guarantee. -
Singapore-based lender
Advised on multi-jurisdictional enforcement action coordinated with Singapore and New Jersey lawyers, involving issues of forum non conveniens, issue estoppel and res judicata.
Awards, recognition and rankings
- Best Lawyers in Australia 2027 – Recognised for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation
- IFLR1000 2026 - Notable Practitioner, Banking and Finance and Restructuring and Insolvency