Patrick Gallego
SENIOR Associate
Patrick is an expert strategist who readily understands the commercial drivers in legal disputes helping him to rapidly yield favourable results for clients.
Patrick is a specialist commercial litigation and insolvency lawyer, who stands out for his deep knowledge of litigation and insolvency law and tactical mindset.
Clients have commended Patrick’s ability to quickly and accurately identify key issues, and develop winning strategies.
Patrick has experience in representing claimants and defendants in various courts and tribunals across Australia including in the Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, state Supreme Courts, District Court and Local Court, and administrative tribunals.
Patrick has been recognised in the Doyle’s Guide 2022, 2023 and 2024 listings for NSW Commercial Litigation & Insolvency Law Rising Stars.
Experience
Insolvency
- Represented a Big 4 accountancy firm as liquidators of a major national retail chain in pursuing several public examinations
- Represented a Big 4 accountancy firm as liquidators in relation to insolvent trading claims
- Represented a Big 4 accountancy firm as liquidators of an international franchise network in pursuing claims for breach of director duties
- Successfully acted for both liquidators and defendants in numerous voidable transaction and preference payment claims
- Drafted Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) for deed proponent
- Successfully acted for a liquidator to validate their invalid appointment
- Advised a liquidator in a complex priority of distribution dispute involving subrogated creditors
- Assisted a bankrupt with a s73 application to annul his bankruptcy
- Successfully had a statutory demand set aside
- Acted for a bankruptcy trustee in relation to a s66G Conveyancing Act application
Litigation
- Represented a secured mortgage lender in relation to enforcement proceedings following a loan default
- Acted for a significant Sydney based fund in hostile takeovers litigation before the Takeovers Panel
- Represented three related defendants in court proceedings instituted by a major bank in relation to personal guarantees of business loans. This matter resulted in a successful settlement at mediation
- Acted for a shareholder in relation to a dispute in relation to further funding obligations under a shareholders’ agreement
- Acted for a bankrupt in a claim against a Big 4 bank
- Acted for a construction company in a complex fraud dispute
- Successfully acted for a company in Queensland Supreme Court proceedings to urgently remove a caveat on a property
- Successfully acted for several directors in respect of challenging Director Penalty Notices (DPN) issued by the Australian Tax Office (ATO)
- Acted for claimant in a significant debt claim involving complex set-off and payroll grouping issues
- Successfully acted in several breach of contract claims
- Acted for purchaser of land in a misleading and deceptive conduct claim against the vendor and the agent
Admissions
Patrick is admitted to practise law in all Australian state courts.
Memberships
- Member of the Law Society of New South Wales
- New South Wales Student member of ARITA (Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association)
Education
- Bachelor of Commerce (International Business and Business Law) from the University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) from the University of New South Wales
- Juris Doctor from the University of Technology Sydney with 6 High Distinctions, 9 Distinctions; 5 Credits and 1 Pass.