GRIP Asia-Pacific welcomes inaugural members

Since joining the Global Restructuring and Insolvency Professionals (GRIP) network in December last year, Jirsch Sutherland has been focused on leading the establishment of the Asia-Pacific arm of this vital cross-border marketing and referral network for independent insolvency firms. We’re thrilled to announce that five firms have now been announced as the inaugural members of GRIP Asia-Pacific (GRIPAP).

“After an extensive process researching and vetting firms across the Asia-Pacific, we are delighted to have ratified these five firms and welcome them into the GRIP network,” says Bradd Morelli, Jirsch Sutherland’s National Managing Partner. “In line with GRIP’s criteria, each of the firms is a pre-eminent specialist in restructuring and insolvency in their territory/jurisdiction. And like Jirsch Sutherland, they’re also privately owned and independent.

“The GRIP network means local insolvency practitioners are able to provide their clients with even greater capabilities and resources to handle cross-border matters. The impact of the pandemic means there’s likely to be greater demand for international expertise and experience in the insolvency and restructuring sectors. A network like GRIP is very important and powerful, particularly when cross-border insolvency and business rescue matters involve multiple jurisdictions. We’re also excited about strengthening our firm’s overall international offering. It means we can act for clients on any issue of international scope.”

The five new GRIP Asia-Pacific members are:

  • KLC CPA, a leading Chinese accounting practice based in Hong Kong since 1985. KLC is recognised as a specialist firm in Hong Kong and China, with particular skillsets in insolvency, restructuring and forensic recovery services.
  • TSMP Law, Singapore’s pre-eminent, independent law firm, whose multidisciplinary restructuring and insolvency team is led by one of the most highly regarded Senior Counsels, Mr Thio Shen Yi S.C. The team has experience in insolvency, corporate, construction and litigation to deal with all sides of the insolvency process.
  • Ahlawat & Associates, a leading full-service law firm in India, which caters to domestic and international clients. The firm’s restructuring and insolvency team is highly experienced, and the firm’s Founding Partner, Mrs Avnish Ahlawat, has more than 40 years’ experience in stressed assets advisory and has observed the entire lifespan of insolvency and its related aspects.
  • DFDL, a leading regional law firm with presence in Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam, as well as in the Philippines through its associated firm Ocampo and Suralvo Law Offices. The firm has extensive experience advising clients across a wide range of local and cross-border restructuring, refinancing and insolvency matters.
  • McDonald Vague Limited, New Zealand’s leading specialist business recovery and insolvency practice. The firm has a clear aim: to preserve value and recover monies for creditors as quickly and effectively as possible. For over 20 years, McDonald Vague has been providing advice and expertise to companies and individuals facing financial difficulties.

Melissa Lau, Jirsch Sutherland Partner and Lead of the firm’s Asia Desk, says the new GRIPAP members perfectly complement Jirsch Sutherland’s capabilities and experience, strengthening the solutions offered to Australian Asian businesses and individuals, and those operating across different jurisdictions.

“These five firms bolster our already strong offerings,” says Lau. “Their teams also have an impressive track record in corporate and personal insolvency and, one of my favourites, forensic accounting. My team and I are looking forward to working with each of these firms and developing strategies for businesses and individuals.”

Benefits of GRIP

 For Members  For Business and Accountants
  • Being able to quickly and easily tap into multi-sector expertise and experience in other jurisdictions
  • Being able to market your firm as offering global/regional connections
  • Additional business referred by fellow members
  • Receiving assistance from other members to assist clients
  • Convenient, safer networking
  • Build strong personal relationships with member firms
  • Having access to local insolvency specialists with expertise in their jurisdiction and sector
  • Valuable local knowledge and resources
  • Having access to GRIP members with particular expertise and prior experience in complex and uncommon issues
  • Knowing you have access to a global network of specialists able to handle multi-jurisdictional matters of every size across every industry


Jirsch Sutherland