Overview
Mark Fennessy is the co-head of the London Transactions Group, and the London Finance, Restructuring and Special Situations Group. He focuses his practice on contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency matters. He has particular experience in multifaceted group collapses and global insolvency issues. He has been involved in a number of high-profile assignments for banks, funds and various strategic parties. Mark leads a team with unrivalled expertise in special situations, including in relation to assets facing significant and complex governance and financial challenges.
Mark has advised on a number of complex cross border matters for creditors (including direct lenders and distressed debt funds) and sponsors and is highly skilled in the restructuring of complex structures. He has also actively led a number of complex litigation matters and has significant experience in the investigation of complex fraud cases, multijurisdictional disputes, anti-avoidance/antecedent transaction advice, corporate investigation and analysis, asset tracing, international enforcement and the development of litigation strategies.
Additionally, Mark is a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner and an Authorised Fixed Charge Receiver (Non-appointment taking).
Results
- Advising the UCC of Westinghouse Electric Company in connection with EMEA aspects of its chapter 11 filing and the bankruptcy/restructuring sale to Brookfield*
- Acted for the UCC of MF Global in relation to all aspects of the group collapse*
- Advising GLAS as bond trustee and restructuring agent on significant global restructurings (including Travelex, Four Seasons Healthcare Group, Codere, Flybe and DTEK)
- Acted for a bondholder Group of ARM Asset Securities*
- Representing private credit lenders on restructurings / enforcement strategies in relation to loans provided to various international and UK businesses including casual dining, energy services, paper manufacturing and medicare businesses*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom, Insolvency and Restructuring Law, 2023-2025
- Legal 500 UK, Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency, Leading Individual, 2013-2025
- Chambers UK, Restructuring & Insolvency, 2015-2025
- Lexology, Client Choice, Restructuring & Insolvency, 2025
- IFLR 1000, Restructuring & Insolvency, 2020-2023
- Global Restructuring Review GRR 100, Recommended, 2023
- Who’s Who Legal, Restructuring & Insolvency, 2019-2021
- Euromoney Expert Guides, Banking, Finance & Transactional Law Guide, Top Restructuring & Insolvency Practitioner, 2021
Community
- International Corporate Rescue, Founder and Editor
- Insolvency Practitioners Association, Member
- Insol Europe, Member
- Turnaround Management Association, Member
- American Bankruptcy Institute, Member
- NARA, the UK’s Association of Property and Fixed Charge Receivers, Fellow and former Council Member
- R3: Association of Business Recovery Professionals, Fellow
- UCL Faculty of Laws (London), Centre for Commercial Law, Advisory Committee Member
- Britain in Europe Think-Tank, Brunel Law School
Credentials
Education
Joint Insolvency Examination Board, Examination, 1999
The College of Law of England and Wales, Law Society Finals, 1991
City University, London, Diploma in Law, 1989
University College London, B.Sc. (Hons), 1988
Admissions
England & Wales