Qualifications
LLB (Hons), BA, University of Auckland
Admitted
2011, New Zealand
Janko is an experienced commercial litigator specialising in restructuring, insolvency and banking and financial services.
He acts for banks and financial institutions in a range of civil and regulatory matters, including in relation to the Financial Markets Conduct Act, AML/CFT Act and the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
Janko advises insolvency practitioners on complex issues during receivership, liquidation and administration, including claims against directors and third parties. He has also represented company directors facing civil proceedings and regulatory charges.
Janko has appeared as counsel at all levels of the New Zealand court system, including as lead counsel in the Court of Appeal, High Court and District Court.
He is recognised as a Leading Associate by Legal 500 Asia Pacific, a Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year nominee at the NZ Law Awards in 2022, a Rising Star by NZ Lawyer 2023, and as an Associate to Watch by Chambers Asia Pacific 2026.
Recent highlights
Banking and financial services
- Advised a large financial institution on issues arising from the wind-down and potential termination of key service contracts.
- Advised financial institutions regarding preventative actions and responses to fraud and scams.
- Advised a director of a New Zealand-based financial institution in relation to a multi-jurisdictional regulatory investigation.
- Acted for a major bank and its directors in defending a significant shareholder class action (while at HSF Kramer in London).
Restructuring and insolvency
- Acted for the statutory managers of the Du Val Group, a large property development group comprised of over 70 entities.
- Acted for receivers in proceedings for recovery of secured assets and in defending claims that assets were sold at undervalue.
- Acted for interim liquidators of a New Zealand trustee company in relation to a judgment found by the New Zealand courts to have been fraudulently obtained in the Kentucky courts.
- Acted for four of the former directors of Mainzeal Property and Construction defending claims for reckless trading and other breaches of directors' duties.
Affiliation
- Member of the Restructuring & Insolvency Turnaround Association of New Zealand.
- Member of the Banking & Financial Services Law Association.
