Our Team

Michael O'Neill

Chairman & Managing Partner

Michael commenced practice in 1981 and is the founding partner of O’Neill Partners. Known as an excellent strategic thinker, Michael acts for administrators, liquidators, bankruptcy trustees and other insolvency practitioners as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Michael also advises private individuals, boards and company directors on all aspects of corporate and insolvency law, ranging from preference recoveries to complex misfeasance proceedings.

Michael specialises in dispute resolution and commercial litigation. He tenaciously advocates for our clients’ interests and has handled matters in all jurisdictions including the High Court, Federal Court and the Supreme Courts. Michael has experience running all manner of commercial matters including corporations law applications, contractual disputes and recovery matters for lenders. Michael has acted on many complex and high-profile insolvencies throughout his legal career.

Grant Hackelton

Partner

Grant has practiced in the areas of corporate and personal insolvency, litigation and debt recovery since 1999, both in Australia and in the UK. Grant’s experience includes three years in the Special Investigations and Strategic Litigation branch of the Attorney General’s Department, London. Grant was the legal practitioner director of a wholly owned subsidiary law firm of a publicly listed company, heading up their NSW legal team. He additionally held an in-house counsel role advising on compliance, regulatory and privacy issues, drafting contracts, deeds, publications and press releases.

Grant now leads O’Neill Partners’ Sydney team’s high-volume litigation portfolio and advises numerous private commercial clients as well as retailers, wholesalers, schools, financiers, charities, bankruptcy trustees, administrators and liquidators. Grant’s drafting skills are renowned, but he is best-known for his clarity of expression, his commitment to clients and his ability to ensure complex problems remain simple.

Edwina Hall

Associate

Adaptable with an acute attention to detail and ability to perform under pressure, Edwina consistently delivers efficient and client-focused legal solutions to our large and varied client base. Whether advising on the prospects of success or preparing a matter for Court, Edwina is straight talking, practical and always keeps the client’s commercial interests front of mind. Level-headed and hard-working, Edwina has great depth of practical experience including appearing in Court, drafting and reviewing statements and pleadings, managing a large portfolio of active litigation and negotiating favourable and strategically sensible outcomes for our clients.  

Samantha Pinder

Solicitor

Samantha is passionate about commercial litigation. She enjoys appearing in Court and dealing with the strategy and tactics of a litigated matter. She also enjoys helping businesses navigate their way through complex legal issues, delivering cost-effective solutions and protecting our clients’ interests. Her strong social skills and interest in commerce and the law assist her in providing accurate, effective and efficient legal advice.

Antonija Kolak

Senior Paralegal

Antonija has more than 20 years’ experience as a paralegal and is the ‘go to’ person for questions on Court documents, practice and procedure. She is dedicated, conscientious and caring and provides our clients with exceptional service and unparalleled attention to detail. With solid time management skills and an extremely deep pool of knowledge, Antonija turns challenges into outcomes quickly and efficiently. She is an invaluable colleague and a source of tireless support.

Olimpia Chodkiewicz

Executive Assistant and Legal Secretary

Bringing over 20 years’ experience as a legal secretary, Olimpia’s role now assists the Managing Partner, with a tireless commitment to the team. From typing, amending or improving complex legal documents to being the first point of contact for incoming calls, Olimpia’s sincerity and dedication has been an integral part of our success.

80+ years of experience

Need to speak with us further?

(02) 9232 1244