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.
Janko advises insolvency practitioners on complex issues arising during receivership, liquidation and administration, including claims against directors and third parties. He has also represented company directors facing civil proceedings and regulatory charges.
He also acts for banks and financial institutions in a range of civil and regulatory matters, including those arising under the Financial Markets Conduct Act, Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act, and Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
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 and an Associate to Watch by Chambers Asia Pacific. He was a finalist for Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year at the 2022 NZ Law Awards, and was named a Rising Star by NZ Lawyer in 2023.
Recent highlights
Banking and financial services
- Advising a large financial institution on issues arising from the wind-down and potential termination of key service contracts.
- Advising financial institutions on preventative actions and responses to fraud and scams.
- Advising a director of a New Zealand-based financial institution in relation to a multi-jurisdictional regulatory investigation.
- Acting for a major bank and its directors in defending a significant shareholder class action while at HSF Kramer in London.
Restructuring and insolvency
- Acting for the statutory managers of the Du Val Group, a large property development group comprising more than 70 entities.
- Acting for receivers of Pyne Holdings in New Zealand and UK recovery and enforcement proceedings concerning a substantial shareholding in Guernsey-listed Pyne Gould Corporation.
- Acting for the liquidators of Wikeley Family Trustee, on multi-jurisdictional proceedings arising from a fraudulently obtained Kentucky default judgment, including proceedings in the New Zealand High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
- Acting for four former directors of Mainzeal Property and Construction in defending claims for reckless trading and other alleged breaches of directors’ duties.
Affiliation
- Member of the Restructuring & Insolvency Turnaround Association of New Zealand.
- Member of the Banking & Financial Services Law Association.
