Maddie Donovan

Expertise and Practice

Maddie has over a decade of experience in commercial advisory and dispute resolution. She specialises in insolvency & turnaround (including breaches of directors’ duties), trust law and estate disputes, with a strong background in the mining, property and professional services sectors.

Maddie acts for high-net-worth individuals, company directors, trustees, insolvency practitioners and executors/administrators of deceased estates. She also acts for creditors and beneficiaries to keep asset holders accountable and secure their entitlements.

She delivers technical advice in a commercial and accessible way to enable clients to meet their obligations, solve problems and effectively manage risk. She is a member of the Law Council of Australia, Business Law Section, Insolvency & Restructuring Committee and the ASIC Regional Insolvency Liaison Group.

Best Lawyers has recognised Maddie as "One to Watch" for Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution in its 2025, 2026 and 2027 editions, and for Insolvency & Turnaround in its 2026 and 2027 editions.

Maddie joined LK in 2025 from Cowell Clarke. Before commencing practice she interned for Judge Kuenyehia, President of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court. Maddie has a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of International Relations from Bond University. She is admitted in the Supreme Court of South Australia, the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia.

Project Highlights

Western Desert Resources Group of Companies

Represented the directors of an iron ore mining operation in the Northern Territory in public examinations by the liquidators and acted for the Chair in insolvent trading proceedings brought by the liquidators in the Supreme Court of South Australia.

Penrice Soda Group of Companies

Represented the directors of the Penrice Soda Group, which operated a bicarbonate soda mine in South Australia, in insolvent trading proceedings brought by the liquidators in the Federal Court of Australia.

Bonshaw

Represented the liquidator of an investment vehicle to finalise the liquidation on foot for some 10 years, with the major shareholder a deceased estate. Contentious issues between beneficiaries of the estate were the subject of several judgments from the Supreme Court of South Australia.

Privately-held Company – Challenge to Entry into Voluntary Administration

Represented a minority shareholder group of a privately held company in the Supreme Court of Victoria to challenge the company’s entry into voluntary administration on grounds the company was solvent and an abuse of process of the Part 5.3A process.

Privately-held Company – Trading Voluntary Administration

Represented the administrator of a privately held company which continued to trade. Advised on complex PPSA issues in circumstances where there was invoice factoring and multiple registered secured interests, including PMSIs. Assisted in the sales process for certain assets, including drafting confidentiality, data room and due diligence arrangements and sale and purchase documentation.

Incorporated Association

Represented the liquidators of a solvent incorporated association in circumstances where the true constitution of the association and appropriate recipient of surplus funds was questioned.

Trust and Estate Dispute

Represented the beneficiaries of two testamentary trusts, and a deceased estate undistributed for over 40 years, against the trustee and person in control of the estate assets, respectively. The trusts and estate held a significant volume of real property in Hobart and surrounds, with proceedings issued in the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Intra-company Disputes

Represented members of family-owned company / trust structures in disputes on several occasions, including circumstances of director deadlock, claims of shareholder oppression and conduct in breach of directors’ duties. Negotiated outcomes both prior to and in the context of court proceedings, including for separation / buy-out of certain family members, sale of assets and winding up.

Construction and Rectification of Wills

Represented a respondent beneficiary of two deceased estates comprising two large parcels of farming land, in complex proceedings for construction and rectification of the Wills before the Supreme Court of South Australia.

Testamentary Promise Claim

Represented a respondent beneficiary charity of a deceased estate in connection with a testamentary promise claim concerning farming land, in proceedings issued in the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Joint Venture Claim

Represented a respondent in proceedings before the Supreme Court of South Australia claiming breach of a joint venture agreement, misleading or deceptive conduct and estoppel (among other things) in respect of a major development.

Commercial Restraint of Trade

Represented a corporate respondent in proceedings before the Supreme Court of South Australia to enforce commercial restraint of trade terms. Successfully resisted applications for an injunction to prevent continued trade and an urgent trial.