Katie Paton

Katie Paton is a seasoned Legal Practitioner Director with an impressive trajectory in the legal domain since 2005. She has forged a strong reputation as a trusted advisor, consistently delivering timely, relevant, and cost-effective legal solutions that resonate well with her clientele. Her expertise spans high volume and low quantum debt recovery litigation, insolvency, and commercial contracts. Katie is adept at advising secured and unsecured creditors, directors, shareholders, external administrators, and trustees on matters of corporate distress, asset recovery, and protection. Her guidance aids clients in optimising accounts receivable processes and documentation, while her skills in negotiating commercial and research contracts are noteworthy. Her career includes providing consultancy services for short-term assignments, drawing on her substantial background in mediation. Katie was formerly an accredited mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation System, where she effectively facilitated conflict resolution through strong communication and understanding of parties' needs. Her legal acumen is enriched by diverse experiences, having worked with government bankruptcy agencies, inhouse at a big four bank whilst on secondment, and at various private practice firms. Her involvement with the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association and completion of their insolvency education programme has further honed her capabilities. Katie's varied roles include her tenure as a Legal Practitioner Director at Barker Chase Lawyers since 2020 and her ongoing position as Senior Legal Counsel with LOD - Lawyers on Demand since 2021. Her prior roles include serving as a Senior Associate at both Polczynski and Gadens Lawyers, along with significant contributions as an Associate at DibbsBarker. Her foundational experiences were shaped through roles at National Australia Bank, Church & Grace, and the Insolvency & Trustee Service Australia. She began her legal journey as a Paralegal at J H Fisher & Sons. Throughout her career, Katie has consistently demonstrated strong skills in legal compliance and negotiation.