Ben Nearhos
07 3210 3544
Professional experience
Ben is a Senior Associate at Cowen Schwarz Marschke, having joined the firm after graduating from The University of Queensland.
Ben practises principally in commercial litigation and insolvency. He brings nearly a decade of experience in a wide variety of disputes, including contractual and trust claims, breaches of directors’ duties, trade practices, Liquidator and Bankruptcy Trustee claims, professional negligence, in addition to insolvency matters and related advice.
Ben has acted for a range of clients from individuals, Liquidators/Bankruptcy Trustees, businesses, to public companies. He has engaged in litigation in various forums, including Queensland State Courts, Federal Courts, QCAT, other State Courts, and appellate courts (including the High Court of Australia).
Ben is a Professional Member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA), and presents on insolvency topics at ARITA forums.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- ARITA Advanced Certificate in Insolvency
- Professional Member of ARITA (RITP)
- Member of INSOL International
- Member of the Queensland Law Society
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
Recognition
- Rising Stars 2025 – Commercial Litigation & Insolvency Law – Doyle’s Guide (recognised 2022 to 2025)
Brittany Engeman
Professional experience
Brittany joined Cowen Schwarz Marschke (formerly Tucker & Cowen) in February 2020, having previously worked as an Associate to a District Court Judge, and was appointed an Associate of the firm in February 2023 and Senior Associate in September 2025.
Brittany graduated from the University of Queensland in 2019 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations). She completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice with The Australian National University and was admitted to the legal profession in August 2019.
Brittany has acted on a number of complex and significant commercial litigation and insolvency matters, for a broad range of clients including companies, insolvency practitioners, directors, shareholders and individuals.
Brittany is also a Professional Member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association (ARITA) and member of the ARITA Queensland Young Professionals Committee.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
- Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
- ARITA Advanced Certificate in Insolvency
- Professional Member of ARITA (RITP)
- Member of ARITA Queensland Young Professionals Committee
- Member of INSOL International
- Member of the Queensland Law Society
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
Recognition
- Women’s Insolvency Restructuring Queensland (WIRQ) Female Young Gun of the Year – 2024
Please contact us using the web form below or you are welcome to call 07 300 300 00.
