About Russ Marshall
Russ's practice sits at the intersection of law, government and finance, involving complex operating environments.
He is an Australia- and Papua New Guinea-admitted lawyer, and Allens' Papua New Guinea Practice Director. He leads the firm’s strategic and operational presence in the country, and advises banks, multinational corporates, project sponsors, governments and investors on complicated, commercially significant transactions, disputes and strategic matters across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
Banking and finance forms the cornerstone of Russ's practice, complemented by his experience in enforcement, restructuring and insolvency. He is sought after by clients who require legal advice informed by commercial judgment, and an understanding of the broader strategic and operational context.
Prior to being a lawyer, Russ held operational roles with the Australian and US Governments in challenging international environments, advising on crisis response, operational risk and strategic decision-making.
His recent experience includes having advised:
- an international banking syndicate and multiple export credit agencies on landmark financings in Papua New Guinea's telecommunications and aviation sectors, including Vodafone's market entry and Air Niugini's fleet renewal
- on the acquisition and disposal of major oil, gas and mining interests in Papua New Guinea, including transactions associated with the PNG LNG Project and Ok Tedi Mining Limited
- the Bank of Papua New Guinea on complex regulatory, supervisory and policy matters affecting the financial sector
- ANZ on its restructuring, recovery and enforcement strategy in relation to a substantial non-performing loan portfolio
- an independent power producer on its debt recovery, enforcement and dispute strategy, related to long-term power purchase arrangements with a state-owned utility
- a multinational corporate on operational continuity, regulatory engagement and crisis response during civil unrest in Papua New Guinea.