Sawer has more than 30 years’ experience in commercial and corporate litigation, with a focus on reconstruction and insolvency. He has advised liquidators and administrators on large-scale insolvencies, including the liquidators of the Linter Group and administrators of Forest Enterprise Australia. He has worked closely with various financial institutions and is often sought by commercial clients to assist in identifying and managing risks.

Cornwall Stodart’s chairman of partners, John Hutchings, welcomed the appointment and said: “Stephen brings to the firm a wealth of experience to complement our existing reconstruction & insolvency and commercial litigation teams. Stephen’s arrival will add strength and a new dimension to these areas of the firm.”

Cornwall Stodart’s reconstruction & insolvency practice is led by Paul Buitendag and already includes partners John Hutchings, Jarrod Munro and Levent Shevki, who are supported by three senior associates and three lawyers.

DLA recently nabbed two lawyers, from Ashurst and King & Wood Mallesons, to bolster its corporate practice.