Clifford Chance
Angela Pearsall has extensive experience in dispute resolution. She specialises in large-scale commercial litigation and class actions, as well as contentious regulatory litigation and investigations.
Angela regularly handles complex financial reporting litigation, having acted for global accounting and auditing firms for more than a decade. She has led litigation including class actions arising out of major corporate collapses, IPOs, capital raisings, complex financial instruments and financial services' obligations including AML/CTF. She regularly represents banks, large corporates, preeminent global accounting and auditing firms and directors.
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Clients have sought Angela's representation and strategic advice in a number of important and high profile cases including:
- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in relation to complex, multi-party proceedings arising from the collapse of electronics retailer Dick Smith: Findlay v DSHE Holdings Ltd; Mastoris v DSHE Holdings Ltd; Mastoris v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd [2021] NSWSC 249 (class action settlement approval), DSHE Holdings (Receivers & Managers Appointed)(In Liquidation) v Nicholas Abboud (No 3); National Australia Bank v Nicholas Abboud (No 4) [2021] NSWSC 673 (Company and Bank proceedings), DSHE Holdings (Receivers & Managers Appointed)(In Liquidation) v Nicholas Abboud (No 4); National Australia Bank Limited v Nicholas Abboud (No 5) [2022] NSWSC 91 (costs judgment)
- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Deloitte Corporate Finance in a shareholder class action in the Federal Court arising from the collapse of the Hastie Group, as well as liquidators' proceedings in the Supreme Court of New South Wales: Sadie Ville Pty Ltd v Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (No 3) [2018] FCA 1107 (privilege against self-incrimination and privilege against exposure to penalties); Hastie Group Ltd (in liq) v Bourne; Hastie Group Ltd (in liq) v Moore [2017] NSWSC 709 (application to strike out commercial list statement); Hastie Group Ltd (in liq) v Moore [2016] NSWSC 1682 (discharging orders granting leave to extend the time for serving pleadings)
- Herbert Smith Freehills in their successful defence of multiple proceedings in the Supreme Court of New South Wales arising out of the collapse of the Arrium Group, a major mining and materials group: Anchorage Capital Master Offshore Ltd v Sparkes (No 3); Bank of Communications Co Ltd v Sparkes (No 2) [2021] NSWSC 1025 (judgment)
- EY in relation to proceedings brought in the Supreme Court of Queensland by LM Investment Management Limited (In Liquidation) as responsible entity for the LM First Mortgage Income Fund, a significant mortgage investment scheme which at its peak had a net asset value in excess of A$750 million: Re LM Investment Management Ltd (in liq) [2022] QSC 132 (receiver justified in settling the proceedings); LM Investment Management Limited (in liq) v EY & Ors (No 5) [2020] QSC 264 (privilege against self-incrimination and privilege against exposure to penalties)
- Non-executive directors of a major bank in relation to a regulatory investigation and class action concerning non-compliance with AML/CTF obligations
- A senior executive in relation to a regulatory investigation and class action concerning trustee obligations in managing superannuation assets
- A senior executive in relation to multiple regulatory investigations concerning pricing systems and controls of general insurers
- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in relation to a shareholder class action concerning its role as auditor of Tamaya Resources (in liquidation), as well as related Federal Court of Australia proceedings brought by the liquidator: HFPS Pty Ltd v Tamaya Resources Limited (in liq) (No 3) [2017] FCA 650 (class action settlement approval); HFPS Pty Ltd v Tamaya Resources Limited (in liq) (No 2) [2016] FCA 446 (refusing the applicant leave to amend)Acting for a leading accounting firm in relation to proceedings arising from the collapse of the Hastie Group
Angela is ranked in leading directories:
- Chambers Global – Dispute Resolution
- Chambers Asia Pacific – Dispute Resolution
- Doyles – Leading Commercial & Dispute Resolution lawyers
- Legal 500 – Dispute Resolution: Litigation
- Best Lawyers: Litigation, Class Action Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Sydney
- +61 2 8922 8007
- Email me
- Practice area Litigation, dispute resolution & risk management, Restructuring & insolvency
- Sector Banks
Career and qualifications
- Australian National University (Bachelor of Laws) 1994
- Admitted as a solicitor in Australian Capital Territory 1994
- Admitted in the High Court of Australia 1994
- Admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales, Australia 1996
- Admitted as a solicitor in Western Australia 2005
- Joined Clifford Chance as Partner 2016
- ARITA Advanced Certification Course with distinction 2017 (University of Technology Sydney in conjunction with ARITA (Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association)
Professional bodies
- Law Council of Australia
- Women's Lawyers Association of NSW
- Commercial Law Association of Australia
- Association of Corporate Counsel
- Law Society of NSW
- Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association Advanced Certification 2017
Awards and citations
- "A very good litigator"
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 - "I would refer a matter to her any day of the week."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021 - "Angela Pearsall is sensational – we have worked with her for many years. She has always delivered best of market results. She is not afraid to challenge – but always in a constructive way – and she is always spot on with her legal strategy. She rolls up her sleeves but at the same time appropriately manages her team."
Legal500 Asia Pacific 2021 - "An absolute standout"
Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 - She's commercial, knows her field well and knows her matters inside out."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2020 - "Superb, motivated and hardworking"
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2019