David Baker

David Baker is a Partner at Baker Jones, Lawyers, with a distinguished practice in corporations and securities law, bankruptcy, and insolvency, with a particular focus on litigation in these areas. With over 15 years of experience, David is adept at providing corporate advice and litigation services across various industries. He is renowned for delivering strategic and commercially-focused advice to Victoria’s leading insolvency practitioners, as well as directors and shareholders engaged in company disputes. David’s litigation work is extensive, including acting for and against insolvency practitioners in numerous court proceedings. His cases often involve the recovery of unfair preferences under the Corporations Act and the examination of company officers under the Bankruptcy Act. He is also regularly involved in cases of insolvent trading. His proficiency extends to financial restructuring of distressed businesses and individuals, whether through Voluntary Administrations, Deeds of Company Arrangement, or under Part X of the Bankruptcy Act. David has a particular interest in shareholders’ rights, having acted in numerous minority shareholder oppression cases and various partnership disputes, many of which were resolved out of court. His expertise also covers negotiating and drafting shareholders’ deeds, business succession, buy-sell deeds, partnership agreements, and joint venture agreements. Among his notable previous assignments, David has acted for unregistered managed investment schemes embroiled in litigation related to residential aged care facilities and handled a related ASIC investigation. He has defended majority shareholders of a large Victorian manufacturing firm against claims from an international private equity firm and advised on establishing the Australian division of a US investment firm. David's accomplishments include conducting public examinations of bankrupt individuals under the Bankruptcy Act and successfully obtaining freezing orders to secure assets in void transactions. His work has led him to engage in significant litigation, such as acting against the Commissioner of Taxation in voidable transaction claims and handling breach of contract claims against insurers. Outside his legal practice, David is a passionate road cyclist and mountain biker, actively involved with the Hawthorn Cycling Club. He holds degrees in Law and Arts from Monash University.