Mark Buchanan

Working as Of Counsel in our Sydney office, I bring over 35 years' experience in complex commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution, advising and representing our clients in a broad variety of issues and industries.

My work has included acting for a Swiss bank in claims arising from a major international funds transfer fraud, representing the liquidators of HIH Insurance (then Australia's largest insolvency) in US-based film finance claims and London market reinsurance recoveries, and resolving advertising industry disputes concerning diverse issues - from benchmarking personal computer performance to deciding whether an animated puppet sufficiently resembled ice cream.

I have also represented many of Australia's major law firms in their most significant professional indemnity actions, as well as the defendant managing director and chairman in Australia's leading case on directors' duties.

The greatest part of being a commercial litigator is working with really switched-on and determined people, both colleagues and clients, who are all devoting their energies and brainpower to finding the straightest line to the best result.

Having practised as an accredited commercial mediator for some 10 years, I also enjoy the challenges of effective early dispute resolution and the creative thinking that it very often requires of everyone involved.

• Acting for the chairman and managing director in Australia's leading case on directors' duties
• Providing strategic advice to the liquidators of HIH Insurance on major claims and reinsurance recoveries
• Representing most large Australian law firms in the defence of complex professional indemnity actions
• Successfully recovering damages from the auditors of an insolvent food wholesaler, on behalf of a creditor bank