With accredited expertise in advising domestic and international clients on the full range of contentious and non-contentious insurance matters, the team at Clyde & Co LLP handles product liability and indemnity claims and coverage litigation, with experience representing clients before the Supreme Court. With particular expertise in regulatory and compliance work, Avryl Lattin jointly heads the team with Gareth Horne and John Moran. Handling shareholder class actions and investor class actions before the Federal Court, and mismanagement and collapse of investment funds are other key strengths of the team. Christopher Smith and Patrick Boardman are other key contacts, and are well-equipped to advise first party property insurers. Jacques Jacobs departed the firm in December 2024.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is a go-to firm for major class actions against insurance intermediaries, significant fire related property damages claims, commercial policy review projects. The market leading insurance team is also adept in representing shareholders in class action proceedings in relation to D&O insurance recovery and advising on a wide range of strategic acquisitions and related insurance transactions. With a non-contentious insurance focus, Michael Vrisakis jointly leads the team with Anne Hoffmann, who boasts decades of experience in advising policyholders in trade credit insurance claims. Tamanna Islam handles major cyber and technology sector failures with significant reputational and financial risks. Other key contacts include commercial litigation specialist Mark Darwin and Guy Narburgh, who assist with unfair contract terms and reinsurance related matters.

Specialising in indemnity insurance related matters, the experienced team at Kennedys has strength in acting as defence counsel in protective proceedings relating to buyer’s warranty and indemnity insurance policies, and major personal injury proceedings in the construction industry. Managing partner Jonathan Wyatt leads the team, while Matt Andrews handles penalty proceedings before the Federal Court of Australia and regulatory investigations regarding money laundering. Cross-border disputes in the energy sector and allegedly negligent and deficient audits are among the team’s key strengths. Llinos Kent and James Melvin advise on transfer of investment assets and inadequate design disputes in the construction sector. Chris Finn and Raylee Hartwell are key contacts, representing professional indemnity insurers. Nicole Wearne joined from Clyde & Co LLP in June 2024.

The insurance team at King & Wood Mallesons is the first port of call for superannuation fund clients in life insurance disputes and international insurance companies in sensitive cases. The team also regularly advises joint ventures on the full range of insurance claims, including design defects and physical damages claims. Litigation specialist Travis Toemoe leads the team, while other recommended individuals include Peter Yeldham, handling breach of contract allegations and deceptive conduct allegations; Sarah Yu, assisting with complex regulatory and compliance matters, Georgia Cowley, assisting breach of duty confidence related matters, Mandy Tsang, leading on negotiating W&I insurance policies, and senior associate Emma White, assisting with life insurance arrangements.

The insurance team at Wotton + Kearney is jointly led by chief executive partner David Kearney and managing partners Cain Jackson and Charles Simon. The team are market-leaders who regularly advise insurers on the full range of litigations and related contentious matters. Class actions specialist Amanda Beattie is an outstanding class actions defence lawyer and commercial litigator, while Richard Leder heads the firm’s commercial litigation practice and is known for his defamation litigation and dispute resolution expertise. Head of financial lines Andrew Moore has acted for insurers and their insureds for over 25 years, with a particular focus on directors and officers liability and professional indemnity claims, while Adam Chylek leads claims against insurers regarding significant property, energy and infrastructure losses. Head of general liability Belinda Henningham regularly acts in high-profile public and product liability and recall, general liability, and property damage claims across a wide range of industries. Head of health Chris Spain represents medical practitioners, allied health professionals and healthcare organisations in the full range of legal issues affecting the sector, while Chris Mossman is versed in workplace disputes.

Situated within the firm’s wider disputes and investigations practice, the insurance team at Allens is well-equipped to handle the full range of contentious matters including litigation, criminal prosecution and class action settlements. Melbourne based Andrew Maher leads the team, leading on business interruption cases and professional indemnity reinsurance policy matters, while Malcolm Stephens assists with trade credit litigation. Personal injury claims in the manufacturing sector are another key strength of the team. ‘Sound strategic thinker’ Louise Jenkins, and Joshua Anderson, are highly active, advising on alleged underpayment matters.

Clayton Utz‘s insurance team is spearheaded by ‘best all round insurance lawyer’, David Gerber, and boasts accredited expertise in the full range of contentious and non-contentious insurance matters. The team is a regular port of call for insurance litigation regarding PPP contracts, drafting reinsurance agreements, and environmental liability insurance claims. Fred Hawke,  Andrew McNair, Lucy Terracall,  Brisbane-based Chris Erfurt are highly recommended, assisting with insurance recoveries and shareholder class actions.

Bolstered by the firms’ litigation and regulatory expertise, the insurance team at DLA Piper regularly handles insurance related criminal prosecutions, transactions, and acquisitions. Samantha O’Brien and James Morse jointly lead the team from Brisbane and Sydney, respectively, advising on life insurance portfolios and sales and purchase agreements. Tricia Hobson is another name to note, while Sophie Devitt assists with discretionary risk arrangements.

Under the leadership of accredited reinsurance matters expert Richard Jowett, the insurance team at HFW regularly handles a variety of litigations and contentious claims. The firm's global network of offices further bolsters its ability to advise international mining and commodities sector clients in trade credit insurance policies. Brendan McCashin leads on contested trade credit insurance claims, while Raquel Andrade professional indemnity claims.

‘Go-to firm’, Minter Ellison advises major domestic and international insurance clients on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. With accredited experience in professional indemnity, Chern Tan jointly leads the team with Sarah Lark, handling alleged negligence advice on investigations by the ATO and high value warranties breach claims. Property damage disputes and alleged misleading conduct in the real estate sector are among the team’s key strengths. Kemsley Brennan is a highly active member of the team, with experience in significant cross-border acquisitions, business interruption losses, and acting as strategic global coverage counsel for insurance clients. Other key contacts include Peter Coats and Kathryn Rigney, who assists with major class action claims.

Boasting an ‘incredibly strong team from top to bottom’, the insurance team at Moray & Agnew is well-equipped to advise on the full range of litigious and contentious matters in the insurance sector, including contributory negligence, personal injury, and duty of care breaches claims. National managing partner Geoff Connellan spearheads the team, while product liability expert Brian Moroney is also adept at advising professional indemnity insurers. Brisbane-based Christine Houston assists with indemnity in the medical sector, while Jeremy Peck handles high profile sales and acquisitions.

With decades of experience in liability matters, Rhett Kennedy spearheads the insurance team at Barry.Nilsson. With offices across Australia, the team boasts significant national reach, and is well-equipped to handle the full range of employment and safety related insurance matters. Principal Corrina Dowling has accredited experience in handling highly contentious sexual misconduct investigations, while Perth-based Toby Barrie represents various clients in personal injury proceedings. Simon Black leads representing insurers in major class actions.

The insurance team at Corrs Chambers Westgarth is lauded for its particular expertise in professional indemnity claims, particularly in the aged care, construction, and engineering sector. Daniel Marquet leads the team, and handles major contentious claims and insurance litigations, while special counsel Catherine Oldenburg is a highly active member of the team, handling a wide range of complex damages claims. Brad Woodhouse assists with contentious insurance claims in property development and management.

Hall & Wilcox‘s insurance practice is well-equipped to advise a wide range of significant cooperate and public insurer clients in contentious and non-contentious claims. A consortium of lawyers leads the team: Matthew Curll leads on representing syndicates in professional indemnity claims, Melbourne-based Matthew McDonald represents domestic and international clients in class actions, Eden Winokur specialises in cyber insurance, and Philip Hopley, who leads the non-contentious insurance practice. At the more junior level, Natasha Curry assists with various regulatory investigations.

Jackson McDonald‘s Perth-based ‘extremely knowledgeable’, insurance team is particularly experienced in advising local government clients in significant liability cases. With accredited expertise in personal injury and medical negligence cases, Fiona Dempster leads the team, while Alex Lustig advises on complex regulatory insurance claims. Erica Thuijs is another key member of the team, leading on catastrophic injury related claims.

The insurance team at Mills Oakley is experienced in contentious and non-contentious matters, advising various public and private clients on medical malpractice claims, document drafting issues, and complex recoveries issues. Team head Daren Curry boasts significant experience in various litigations and indemnity disputes, while ‘exceptional partners’, Stefan Sudweeks and Louise Cantrill handle contractual issues and issues of major reputational significance.

Ray Giblett spearheads the insurance team at Norton Rose Fulbright, advising a wide range of domestic and international insurer clients on regulatory and structuring matters. The team also regularly advises banking and finance clients on risk mitigation strategies and major cross-border inquiries in relation to natural disasters. Timothy Chan is another highly active member of the team and ‘very knowledgeable in the area of insurance’, assisting with insolvency proceedings, sales and acquisitions, and representing travel insurers and emergency assistance companies.

The insurance team at Ashurst is well-equipped to advise major banking, finance, and tech sector clients on reinsurer liability, professional indemnity policies, and policy placement processes. Spearheaded by Rehana Box, who also handles significant disputes in the construction sector and cross-border contract negotiations.

Insurance boutique Gilchrist Connell is well equipped to advise major domestic insurer clients on the full range of general and public liability claims, representing them in major class actions. Adelaide-based managing principal Richard Wood jointly leads the team with John Edmond, advising on negligence and nuisance in personal injury cases. Breaches of duty of care and criminal inquests are among the teams’ key strengths. Dan Robinson and Katherine Czoch are other key contacts in the team.

Meridian Lawyers‘ team of ‘technical experts in their field’, advise on a wide range of liability and personal injury matters, including advising pollution liability insurers on major domestic spillages, alleged defects in the construction sector, and workplace health and safety related matters. Robert Crittenden advises professional indemnity insurers in personal costs claims, and leads the team alongside Robert Minc. David Randazzo is another key contact, representing cladding contractors in domestic fire safety matters.

Sparke Helmore Lawyers‘ experienced insurance team is jointly steered by Malcolm Cameron, Belinda Michalk, and Matthew Seisun, specialising in professional negligence litigation and class actions. The team is also well-equipped to negotiate commercial settlements in the marine insurance sector, personal injury damages claims, and various duty of care claims. With particular expertise in commercial insurance, Gillian Davidson also assists with workplace health and safety claims and allegations of deceptive conduct. Other key contacts in the office include Mark Doepel and Jehan Mata.