Mr Breen is an insolvency and restructuring specialist who has worked on some of the largest corporate collapses in Australia.

Mr Breen’s areas of focus include restructuring, workouts (both informal and formal), voluntary administration, receiverships, syndicated facilities and cross-border insolvencies.

Mills Oakley CEO John Nerurker said the appointment would allow the firm to extend its existing Melbourne insolvency practice into Sydney.

"Gerard’s arrival in Sydney will build our capacity to advise on corporate collapses where assets are located across multiple states," Mr Nerurker said.

"His appointment further strengthens the reputation we have cultivated in the insolvency and restructuring space in Melbourne under the leadership of partners Stuart Lewin and Ariel Borland."

Mills Oakley has made a number of high-profile hires in recent months, including a team of construction lawyers from Gadens in May.