Lewis Seelenmeyer

Lewis Seelenmeyer is the driving force behind the dispute resolution practice at Independent Legal, commanding respect for his adept handling of high-profile and complex commercial disputes. Known for a client-focused approach, Lewis collaborates closely with his clients to deliver strategic and comprehensive legal counsel, addressing even the most challenging legal issues with precision. Before his role at Independent Legal, Lewis contributed significantly to the finance practice at a prestigious global law firm, where he managed and resolved substantial litigious matters. His work on the restructuring of Atlas Iron stands out, a project that earned acclaim at the 2016 Australasian Law Awards for the Insolvency & Restructuring Deal of the Year. Additionally, Lewis served as the principal Australian counsel for a group of aircraft lessors during the acquisition of Virgin Australia by Bain Capital, a transaction that was recognised at the 2021 Australasian Law Awards for the same category. Lewis' career is distinguished by his roles within the national dispute resolution groups of two of Australia’s largest banks—Westpac Banking Corporation and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. In these positions, he was responsible for managing a multitude of disputes and claims, spanning both national and international jurisdictions. His practice is exceptionally diverse, representing a broad spectrum of clients, including major financial institutions, private and non-bank lenders, public and private companies, as well as trustees, directors, and sports professionals. He has a solid foundation in external administrations, acting on behalf of liquidators, receivers, and administrators across various litigation aspects. His geographical experience is also extensive, with involvement in disputes concerning stakeholders from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Italy, and the United States. Since 2015, Lewis has shown a keen interest in cases surrounding the collapse of major Australian stockbrokers and derivatives issuers. This includes handling significant claims related to the misuse of client trust funds by AFSL holders, Ponzi schemes, and related misconduct by company officers. Lewis' notable cases include matters involving BBY Ltd, Halifax Investment Services, Direct FX, Courtney House, and the iProsperity Group.