Clifford Chance
Melissa Coakley advises a broad spectrum of stakeholders on consensual and non-consensual cross border restructurings, work outs, reorganisations and formal insolvencies.
Melissa maintains a focus on the Middle East, having spent five years on secondment to our Dubai office during the Dubai financial crisis.
- Advising UK retailer Matalan on its 2023 recapitalisation and on its 2020 £50m CLBILS liquidity raise and associated English scheme of arrangement
- Advising private credit lenders to the EnerMech Group in relation to the restructuring of its financial debt
- Advising Communisis Group in relation to the Ch11 of its parent company and the subsequent pre-packaged administration sale of its UK and European business
- Advising a leading UK sponsor in relation to the complex private credit restructuring of a UK aerospace group
- Advising certain key senior lenders to Vroon, a Dutch shipping group, in relation to the group’s cross border restructuring process, including via a Dutch WHOA and English scheme
- Advising the Official Receiver and Special Managers in relation to the trading liquidation of a UK power station and associated litigation
- Advising Chrysoar/Harbour Energy in relation to its reverse takeover and associated restructuring of Premier Oil PLC, utilising a part 26A restructuring plan
- Advising the Department for Transport on the COVID-19 impact on the airline and airports sector, including in relation to the Virgin Atlantic part 26A restructuring plan, the first such plan implemented in the UK
- Advising a prominent European hedge fund in relation to the $800m court-based UAE restructuring of JBF RAK, a multinational plastics manufacturer
- Advising the coordination committee of senior secured lenders in relation to the $2bn Nyrstar restructuring implemented via a mix of consensual arrangements and English schemes of arrangement
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, London
- +442070061963
- Email me
- Practice area Global Financial Markets, Restructuring & insolvency
- Sector Consumer goods & retail, Banks, Sovereign wealth
Career and qualifications
- University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (LLB) 2001
- Joined Clifford Chance 2003
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2005
- Partner since 2020
Professional bodies
- Council Member of the Insolvency Lawyers Association
- Member of R3 and INSOL
Awards and citations
- Ranked in Band 6
Chambers UK 2024: Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency (Tier 1) (3 years ranked) - "Melissa Coakley is extraordinary. She is hands-on, user-friendly and authoritative - a super impressive lawyer." "She is exceptional - she is all over the facts and the law in a way that makes you feel safe." "Melissa is a very clear communicator and a very commercial practitioner."
- "She is creative, works extremely hard and uses her contacts and experience to overcome challenges and get the deal done. "Melissa is bright, effective and robust."
- Ranked as a Next Generation Partner
Legal 500 UK 2022, 2023 and 2024: Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency (Tier 1) - “Melissa Coakley is very technical and on top of the detail, while also retaining a pragmatic approach.” "Melissa Coakley displays a 'high level of technical knowledge and strategic thinking"
- Recognised in the Global Restructuring Review “40 under 40”