Hall & Wilcox

Client Satisfaction

Aaron has extensive employment and industrial relations law experience. Specifically, he specialises in enterprise bargaining, industrial strategies and disputes, disciplinary and performance matters, independent contractor claims, corporate restructuring and outsourcing, managing ill and injured workers, breach of contract claims, and enforcement of restraints of trade. Aaron acts for prominent Australian and international companies across a range of industries.

Adrian Lasky

Adrian has been involved in litigation across a wide range of matters including corporate and personal insolvency, banking and finance litigation, property and contractual disputes. Adrian has broad experience in litigation and enforcement matters before all Victorian Courts, other State Courts, the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia, and VCAT. Adrian’s clients include corporate insolvency (including receivers, administrators and liquidators) and personal insolvency practitioners (bankruptcy trustees).

Adrian Verdnik

Adrian is the section leader of the firm's national Banking and Financial Services practice. Adrian’s financial services law practice covers superannuation, managed funds, insurance, and financial advice. His work includes both advisory and transactional services. He works for a variety of participants in the financial services industry, including issuers, investment professionals, and service providers. Adrian is valued by his clients for his ability to balance the technical and commercial aspects of financial services law, and for his effective management and delivery of work.

Ahranee Vijayaseelan

Ahranee is a specialist insurance lawyer with particular expertise in public and product liability claims (personal injury and property damage), disability claims, dust diseases claims and policy response. Ahranee has extensive experience defending personal injury claims for a diverse range of businesses, including hoteliers/clubs, security guards, building contractors, recreational facilities, sporting clubs, property owners, managing agents and commercial cleaners. Ahranee also acts for underwriters of accident and health policies, with a focus on disputed disability, TPD, trauma and death claims. Ahranee is highly regarded by clients for her service excellence, technical advice and commercial approach to reducing claims, risk and costs. She is a trusted lawyer who is easy to work with, responsive and committed to providing a high-quality legal service. Ahranee is a former President of The NSW Association for Women in Insurance. She is a recommended public and product liability lawyer in NSW in Doyles’ Guide to the Australian Legal Profession and is also listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Insurance Law every year since 2020.

Albert Ponte

Since arriving in Australia, Albert has worked on various types of commercial disputes, for a range of clients including the Greater Building Society, Newcastle Airport, Port Stephens Council and various engineering companies based in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. He continues to practice in the area of construction litigation, including adjudications of payment disputes under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW) and disputes under the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW). Albert qualified as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2003 after training with an established commercial law firm in London. He remained at the firm, practising commercial litigation until he migrated to Australia in 2012 with his Australian wife and young family. During his time practising in London Albert’s focus was on construction-related litigation and professional negligence disputes. Albert has extensive experience of participating in mediations and is a nationally accredited mediator

Alison Choy Flannigan

With over 25 years of corporate, commercial and regulatory experience, Alison has specialised in advising clients in the health, aged care, disability, life sciences and community sectors. Alison leads the firm's Health & Community industry group. Her clients include public and private hospital operators and health care providers, private health insurers, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and aged care/retirement living, NDIS and not-for-profit and government clients. Alison appreciates that issues for health care providers often require urgent attention and she makes herself available to her clients whenever needed. Alison has a passion and dedication to the sector which goes way beyond just being a lawyer in private practice – she strives to become the trusted advisor of her clients. As a result, Alison has nurtured long-term client relationships, some over 17 years. She also provides ongoing support for various industry associations and has enthusiastically taken positions within the Industry.

Alison Baker

Alison has more than 20 years’ experience in a wide-ranging employment practice, advising private sector and public sector clients on all aspects of employment, industrial relations and human resources law, and work health and safety law. She also advises private and public sector organisations on the application of privacy legislation.

Ana Forster

Ana’s practice focuses on the litigation of common law and statutory benefits claims brought pursuant to Victorian workers’ compensation legislation. Ana’s particular areas of interest are damages claims and claims for psychiatric injury. Ana acts for WorkSafe Victoria, self-insurers, agents and employers to defend claims relating to injuries arising out of employment. Prior to joining Hall & Wilcox in 2008, Ana had experience conducting recoveries litigation for WorkSafe Victoria. Ana previously practiced in Canberra for over three years in the insurance litigation field, acting for both workers’ compensation and compulsory third party insurers.

Anastasia Coutsouvelis

Anastasia’s practice focuses on personal injury litigation management and administrative law. Anastasia focuses on achieving quality outcomes for her clients in workers' compensation matters, including statutory benefits and common law claims under the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) and the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic). Anastasia has acted for WorkSafe Victoria and its predecessors for a number of years. She was previously employed at the TAC as an Impairment Officer and in its WorkCover Division for a number of years before moving to Allianz Australia in Sydney. Anastasia gained valuable management experience managing a large team of people and driving some significant improvements whilst at Allianz. Anastasia has made it a priority to understand the strategic imperatives of WorkSafe Victoria, its agents and employers, and to develop a reputation for consistently delivering on these objectives. Anastasia is a leading Workers' Compensation (Defendant) lawyer in Victoria in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession.

Andrew O'Bryan

Andrew has substantial knowledge of taxation and commercial practice and advises his clients on income tax, capital gains tax, tax audits and reviews, fringe benefits tax, business structuring and transactions, liquidations and reconstructions, superannuation, retirement planning, business succession estate planning, and philanthropy. Andrew advises accounting and legal firms on their clients’ affairs. He also draws clients from industry, commerce and high-net-worth private family groups. One of his main interests is advising private business owners on the transition of management and control of family businesses to the next generation.

Andrew Murphy

Andrew’s practice includes workers' compensation, work injury damages/common law, s151Z recoveries, builders warranty claims, workplace law and alternative dispute resolution. He has extensive experience in providing advice and acting on behalf of insurers and employers in relation to a wide variety of workers' compensation claims including but not limited to death and catastrophic injury claims, work injury damages claims, psychological injury claims, hearing loss claims, general workplace injury claims, workplace motor vehicle accident claims, coal miner claims and lead agent matters on behalf of multiple scheme agents. Andrew has worked in workers' compensation since 2004 and has acted for all the NSW WorkCover and NSW Self Insurance Corporation Scheme Agents. He has also acted for Coal Mines Insurance.

Andrew Stamp

Andrew practices in personal injury litigation on behalf of self insurers, employers, and WorkSafe Victoria and its agents, managing claims brought under the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) and the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic). Andrew has a strong knowledge of the breadth of issues involved in personal injury management across both statutory and common law claims. His understanding of the Victorian scheme, and particularly his appreciation of the demands upon self insurers navigating in that scheme, enables him to achieve consistently strong results that meet his client’s objectives. His awareness of scheme issues generally led to the concept behind Hall & Wilcox’s award-winning RecoverEase platform, designed to help clients nationally identify potential recovery claims. Andrew is a leading workers' compensation lawyer in Victoria in Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession.

Angela Brookes

Angela has significant experience in workers’ compensation, product liability and public liability matters. She acts on behalf of state, national and international insurers, self-insurers, and Australian and international corporations. Angela also drafts codes of practice and occupational health and safety policies for large organisations. Angela provides advice, appears at conferences and in court on a wide range of matters, with particular experience in workers’ compensation mining claims. Angela also has a major focus in product liability litigation and acts as the national lawyer for a number of international corporations in relation to claims brought under the Australian Consumer Law and with respect to product liability. Angela has prepared and presented to numerous national and international clients and organisations on workers' compensation and product liability law.

Anthony Bradica

Anthony is a highly regarded tax practitioner with over 20 years’ experience. He has particular expertise in taxation planning and structuring for corporate clients, including advising on capital raisings, business structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and disputes with Federal and state taxation authorities. Anthony’s current practice primarily focuses on tax advisory, advising in respect of employee share plans and executive remuneration, and managing tax disputes with revenue authorities. He has specific industry experience in the telecommunications, software / IT services industries, media and entertainment industry, and the property and construction sector.

Anton Vucak

Anton practices in all areas of insurance with a focus on workers’ compensation, medical treatment and public/property liability. He provides strategic advice on professional risks including health and safety law, employers’ indemnity claims and general insurance litigation. Anton has advised and appeared in various courts on behalf of insurers, brokers, hospitals, mining clients and several of Australia’s largest companies and stakeholders. He regularly appears as counsel in the Arbitration Service of WorkCover WA and the District Court of Western Australia. Anton is regarded as a senior specialist insurance practitioner with proven experience in dealing with complex insurance litigation, provision of concise and reliable indemnity advice and has assisted insurers with the drafting of policy wordings. Anton has also provided advice to the Insurance Council of Australia (WA). Anton has dedicated experience in complex contractual indemnity and recovery claims and regularly provides advice on construction, engineering and geotechnical claims. Anton is listed as a leading workers' compensation and public liability lawyer, and as a recommended professional indemnity, CTP and medical negligence and malpractice lawyer in WA in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession. He is also a recommended insurance lawyer in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

Ben Cotter

Ben is an experienced construction lawyer with more than ten years’ experience acting for clients in both transactions and disputes in both the public and private sectors. He acts for asset owners, developers, contractors, consultants and financiers in respect of construction, engineering and infrastructure projects. With a grounding in property law and planning law, Ben is proactive in identifying and addressing potential issues before they become problematic. He is pragmatic, clear, and concise, and always looks to achieve commercially sound outcomes for his clients. His experience includes drafting and negotiating a range of agreements including construction contracts, consultancy agreements, project development agreements and supply contracts (with and without installation). Ben also regularly assists clients in administering their contracts and advises clients in relation to claims and disputes arising from their projects (including security of payment claims).

Ben Hamilton

Ben has a range of experience in intellectual property, technology, and commercial matters. He specialises in technology and commercial contracts, branding and product labelling advice, advertising and marketing law, trade mark matters, intellectual property commercialisation, copyright advice, disputes and licensing, and competition and consumer law matters. Ben has also advised and assisted clients in drafting and negotiating procurement, technology and other commercial contracts, asserting and defending substantial copyright and trade mark infringement claims, implementing a national trade mark certification scheme, drafting agreements relating to the commercialisation of new plant varieties and patented technology.

Brad Marland

Brad is an experienced real estate partner. He specialises in commercial, industrial, retail, and residential property, including sales and acquisitions, developments, joint ventures, options, and providing complex advice on property issues. Brad’s expertise also includes: Real estate funds. Commercial, industrial and retail leasing, including drafting, review, negotiation and dispute resolution. Development and leasing of petrol stations. Hotel management agreements. Advising developers and operators on all aspects of acquiring, establishing and structuring of retirement villages. Residential subdivisions, including advising on the purchase of site, through to the sale of the developed house lot. Mixed use strata titled development, management rights and body corporate structuring. Berthing licence agreements with international cruise liners. The statutory and regulatory framework in place affecting proprietary interests in airport land, and the procedures and requirements of airport landlords for the grant of underleases and the conduct and regulation of airport land tenants. Mortgagee sales. Brad advises a wide range of clients, particularly in the property, aged care and local government sectors. Clients value his responsiveness, approachability and the commercial interest in their business. Brad partners with his clients to help achieve their goals. Brad is also passionate about giving back to the community and is involved with several First Nations businesses, including: Board Director of Independent Indigenous Tourism Operators of Queensland Brand Ambassador for Birrunga Gallery and Dining, the only Indigenous owned and operated cultural hub in the Brisbane CBD. Council Member of the Yalari Northern Regional Council, a not-for-profit organisation that offers quality secondary education scholarships at leading Australian boarding schools for Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities. Brand Ambassador (and volunteer) for Dig In, a not-for- profit organisation which provides over 800 meals for the homeless and disadvantaged in Brisbane City every day

Brendan Tobin

Brendan advises on all aspects of planning, environmental and resources law. He has acted for a range of clients (including renewable energy companies) on matters ranging from approvals for greenfield projects, approval requirements, and water entitlements, trading and licensing. Having acted in ground mining matters, Brendan has specialised expertise in climate change litigation. Brendan’s practice covers energy and resources projects in both New South Wales and Queensland. Brendan is also an experienced native title lawyer acting in respect to future act agreements, extinguishment reports, native title proceedings and Aboriginal cultural heritage requirements.

Bridget Wall

Bridget is an experienced insurance litigator based in Brisbane, specialising in financial lines and professional indemnity products. Bridget’s area of expertise has been the defence of professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants, insurance brokers, financial planners, construction professionals and allied health professionals. She also regularly acts for insurers on policy interpretation and indemnity disputes. Bridget is known for her technical expertise, her proactive management of claims, her deep understanding of the insurance industry and the needs of her clients. Bridget has worked extensively throughout Australia having practised as a solicitor in Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Bridget Mangan

Bridget’s practice focusses on personal injury litigation management. Bridget manages serious injury, common law and statutory benefits claims made pursuant to the Accident Compensation Act 1985, Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 and Transport Accident Act 1986. Bridget achieves quality outcomes for her clients in transport accident and workers’ compensation matters. Bridget acts for the Transport Accident Commission and Worksafe Victoria, its agents and employers. Bridget is a member of the team which manages serious injury and common law matters on behalf of the Transport Accident Commission. She also manages common law and statutory benefits claims for Worksafe Victoria. Bridget is an organised, efficient litigator with strong dispute resolution skills.

Catie Moore

Catie is a projects and infrastructure lawyer with over 25 years’ experience, specialising in energy, transport and infrastructure projects. She has advised and acted for both the public and private sector on large construction, procurement and outsourcing projects, including projects delivered as public private partnerships. Catie also has considerable experience in a broad range of areas including commercial contracts, logistics and supply contracts, legal advisory, property, competition law (ACCC matters), restructuring, joint ventures and M&A (including FIRB and ASIC). Her knowledge has been acquired from a variety of roles, as a partner in major international and Australian law firms and as General Counsel where she has provided strategic and commercial advice across a range of Australian and international projects.

Chris Sacré

Partner

Christopher Brown

Chris has over 20 years’ experience in advising on corporate transactions.He is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial team and leads the firm’s UK desk. His experience covers both public company takeovers and private M&A deals. He has also advised clients on IPOs and other fundraising activities and has particular expertise in the finance and insurance sectors, acting for wealth managers and life and general insurers. His clients include institutional and non-institutional investors, in Australia and overseas. Chris also acts for numerous overseas investors into Australia, in particular those from North America, UK, and Japan.

Clare Campbell

Clare has 20 years experience across a number of sectors. She currently acts for international and domestic insurers, large corporates in construction and health, and local government. Clare regularly advises on policy interpretation, coverage disputes and recoveries. She acts in complex, multi-party claims where issues of contractual indemnities and dual insurance arise, including in the Supreme Court of NSW. In addition to her claims experiences, Clare regularly advises large corporates on insurance issues. The breadth of her experience means she has an in-depth understanding of the needs of stakeholders and an ability to manage a large portfolio of matters. Clare collaborates with clients to improve claims processes and better identify recovery prospects from other parties to mitigate losses arising from claims. She is highly regarded for her technical advice and stringent case management. She is adept at evidence gathering to support defences. Clare is a confident advocate and is highly regarded for her commitment to applying the law to best protect her client’s interests.

Clare Kerley

Clare over 13 years’ experience as an employment lawyer, having had a previous career in journalism. She is a practical and results-oriented lawyer who takes pride in providing commercially-minded advice, exceptional communication and effective problem-solving skills to all types of employment, industrial relations and safety issues. Clare has strong skills in workplace and industrial relations, including negotiating enterprise agreements, representing employers in union disputes, and dealing with industrial action in all forms. She is proficient in achieving commercially-sound outcomes to potential and actual litigation, advising employers on managing injured workers, communicating effectively with stakeholders and drafting plain-English employment documents. Clare's current clients are from a broad range of industries, including government, manufacturing, construction, retail, financial services, insurance, recruitment, and maritime. Clare undertakes a wide range of workplace investigations, including sexual harassment, bullying and assault, for a varied list of client organisations, including healthcare, community services and local government. She also provides commercially sound advice on restructures including those arising from council amalgamations. Clare appears as an advocate in contentious matters in the Fair Work Commission and the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, as well as regularly appearing for employers in conciliations, mediations and conferences.

Daisy Duff

Daisy has extensive experience within the Common Law Workers’ Compensation area. She has also acted in public liability, medical negligence and CTP cases, and has experience acting in both plaintiff and defence work. Daisy has a special interest in litigation having conducted a number of trials in the District and Supreme Courts of Queensland, and in the Court of Appeal. Daisy has a passion for innovation and adoption of technological advancements in the provision of legal services, with a view to drive better outcomes for the firm’s clients. She is instrumental in the refinement of the firm’s precedent suite for her area of practice and the implementation of new Case Management, Workflow and Document Automation systems.

Daniel Stoddart

Daniel is an experienced insurance lawyer with close to 20 years advising clients on insurance litigation. He specialises in catastrophic claims, indemnity issues, fraudulent and complex economic loss claims. He has particular expertise in compulsory third party claims, public liability claims, property damage recovery actions, and defending section 151Z recovery actions. Daniel is well known for his pragmatic approach to claims, his advocacy and his technical knowledge. He advises large national insurers and self-insured corporates. Daniel has acted for insurers in many leading decisions in the Court of Appeal and also regularly manages special projects for insurers. He is also a sought after speaker with respect to claims management issues.

David Dickens

David's expertise covers workouts, creditor claims, directors’ duties, voluntary administration, deeds of company arrangement, receivership, liquidation, distressed debt trading and acquisitions, and bankruptcy. David is a trusted adviser to banks and other lenders on all aspects of security enforcement. David also advises on property matters, acting for national landlords, significant tenants, investors and developers in real estate disputes. As a commercial litigator, he regularly acts for clients in disputes involving complex contractual issues, trusts, misleading and deceptive conduct and regulatory obligations. He has appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Federal Court and VCAT and represents clients in mediations and arbitrations. David is a regular presenter on topics relating to restructuring, insolvency and real estate.

David Cooper

David is a partner in the Banking & Financial Services team at Hall & Wilcox, based in Sydney. David specialises in project finance, renewable energy projects, real estate finance, mining and resource finance and leveraged acquisition and corporate finance. David is experienced in advising project sponsors and lenders, private equity houses and real estate developers on project finance, leveraged acquisition, corporate working capital, property and asset financing transactions, as well as complex, multi-jurisdictional and cross-border financing transactions. He has also worked with clients on priority, restructuring, pre-insolvency and debt-recovery transactions and on Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) compliance programs. David has also previously served as deputy general counsel for Oceania for a major Japanese bank, while on secondment.

David Chew

David is a partner with over 25 years' experience practising as an insurance risk and dispute resolution adviser. David’s main areas of focus are in executive and professional risks, servicing insurers, their insureds and corporate clients. He advises on a wide range of complex coverage, liability and loss assessment issues involving claims against private and publicly listed companies, corporate trustees, directors and officers, and a range of professionals across financial services, insurance, legal, construction, public sector and media & technology industries. He also has a ‘front end’ advisory practice. For primary and excess layer insurers, this includes advising on product development/review, negotiations with intermediaries and responses to royal commissions and regulators. For corporate clients, this includes advising on risk management, insurance coverage and insurance programme negotiations. David is an exacting lawyer focused on providing clients with commercial and innovative solutions tailored to their needs, taking into account their key drivers and the law. He has been listed a ‘leading/recommended professional indemnity lawyer’ – Victoria, in Doyle’s Guide.

David Catanese

David is a Partner in the Hall & Wilcox Employment and Workplace Relations team predominately based in Melbourne. He is an expert in employment law in both private sector and Government contexts. David acts for large, medium and small enterprises, the Commonwealth and State Governments, high net worth individuals and pro bono clients. He operates in all relevant jurisdictions regarding employment, industrial relations, anti-discrimination and occupational health and safety matters, and regularly conducts litigation in the Fair Work Commission, Federal and State Courts, VCAT and before other professional tribunals and boards. David routinely advises clients on employee complaints and grievances, workplace investigations, governance issues, restructures, policy development and training (including anti-discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying policies) and Executive employment matters. David has a wealth of both private and public sector legal experience, having worked in private sector law firms, as a lawyer for the Commonwealth and as Managing Principal Solicitor for a State Government. David understands commercial imperatives as well as the unique statutory and policy environment relevant to Government clients. David has a practical and goal-oriented approach to both providing front-end advice and the conduct of litigation. He focuses on understanding his clients’ interests and taking a strategic approach to achieve them

Deborah Chew

Deborah has extensive experience across a broad range of commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and other corporate transactions, equity investments, shareholders and joint venture arrangements, management equity arrangements, ASX listed company advice, and a wide variety of commercial arrangements. Deborah’s major clients span a range of industries, with particular focus on the technology and biotech industries, and on agribusiness, and vary in size from start-ups to Australian industry leaders. Deborah began her legal career in New York, where she practised corporate and commercial law for over 10 years. She relocated to Australia in 1999. Deborah combines a deep knowledge of her clients and the industries they operate within with a familiarity with corporate transactions that is based on over 25 years of experience in both Australia and the United States

Drew Castley

Drew has over 20 years’ experience as an insurance and commercial litigation lawyer. His area of focus has been the defence of professional negligence claims, directors' and officers' claims and medical malpractice. His commercial dispute practice includes shareholder, partnership and joint venture disputes, domestic and commercial building disputes, injunctive and declaratory relief and administrative law. Drew advises on risk management for professional service firms. Drew has been recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Insurance Law, Litigation and Professional Malpractice Litigation every year since 2011 and he has been additionally listed for Ethics and Professional Responsibility Practice since 2019. He is listed as a preeminent professional indemnity lawyer in Queensland in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession. He is an associate of the Australian Property Institute, a member of the Australian Professional Indemnity Group and a committee member of the Queensland chapter of the Australian Insurance Law Association

Ed Paton

Ed’s practice covers private mergers and acquisitions (both local and inbound international), with a particular focus on mid-market deals in Australia, including restructures and international transactions. Ed has significant experience running large projects including company establishment, corporate restructures and succession for large family groups. Ed is an integral part of the firm’s international practice. He jointly leads the firm’s relationship with SCG legal, an international network of independent law firms and is the partner responsible for the Singapore Desk and other emerging markets in South East Asia.

Eden Winokur

Eden is a leading cyber, privacy, disputes and insurance lawyer who heads Hall & Wilcox’s cyber team. Eden specialises in advising on the full spectrum of cyber risk. This includes: acting as incident response provider/breach coach and/or legal advisor in the event of a cyber security incident or data breach, providing an urgent triage and assessment of the incident and risks; managing the incident response process, including the engagement of cyber security and other expert vendors, along with directing IT forensic investigations. Beyond IT experts, cyber incidents can involve engaging specialist vendors for reputational risks, notification specialists, call centre services, credit monitoring providers, business interruption adjustors and ransomware negotiation experts. Eden has strong relationships with leading specialist vendors dealing with all aspects of cyber incidents; cyber insurance coverage advice, including in relation to claims by SMEs as well as large and complex claims, which often require technical knowledge about cyber incidents; providing privacy and other legal advice in respect of actual or suspected data breaches or security incidents, including drafting notifications to and engaging with the OAIC and individuals affected by data breaches; advising clients in relation to regulatory investigations initiated by the OAIC, as well as assisting clients respond to and settle complaints with the OAIC following a data breach; managing privacy advice from local experts in multi-jurisdictional incidents, particularly those involving European citizens under GDPR; advising on notifications to regulators and regulatory bodies, including ASIC, APRA, ASX, ACSC and ACNC; and defending or bringing subrogated claims arising from cyber incidents, particularly in relation to social engineering fraud, breach of contract or negligence.

Elisa Paxton

Elisa’s practice focuses on common law and statutory benefits claims brought pursuant to the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) and the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2014 (Vic). Elisa acts for WorkSafe Victoria and its agents and employers. Elisa is a proactive and tenacious litigator with the skill to identify key issues. She passionately pursues issues of liability. Elisa is a firm believer in acquiring the support and involvement of employers from the very beginning of a matter, including attending site views and meeting with witnesses. Elisa is actively involved in developing Smarter Law innovations for use both within the firm and to the benefit of WorkSafe Victoria. Innovations that Elisa has worked on have won WorkSafe Victoria’s Annual Innovation Award for 2018 and 2019. Prior to commencing with Hall & Wilcox, Elisa completed her articles at a plaintiff personal injury firm.

Elliott Stumm

Elliott has deep industry knowledge and specialist expertise in the regulation of fund and investment management businesses, corporate and wealth advisers, and related service providers. He assists clients in establishing and growing their business, including by structuring funds and novel products and broadening service offerings. Elliott focuses on all facets of funds management and financial services compliance and works closely with clients to achieve their commercial objectives by transforming complex legal issues into practical solutions. He advises national and international financial services groups, as well as both new entrants and established industry participants. Elliott strives for long-term relationships with clients and is valued by them as a trusted adviser. He is a sought-after speaker and regularly presents for the Compliance Committee Forum and Property Funds Association master classes. Elliott is an active participant in Financial Services Council working groups and has participated in Treasury roundtables regarding the corporate collective investment vehicle (CCIV) regime and the regulatory framework for managed investment schemes.

Emily Kyriacou

Emily’s areas of practice include all areas of property law including sales and purchases of real estate, commercial and retail leasing and property related disputes. Emily focuses on understanding the clients she works for in order to better understand and mitigate their risk. She is a trusted advisor for clients including Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Australian Unity, Japara Aged Care, the Liberty Oil Group, Care Super Pty Ltd, the Victorian Pride Centre and others. She is building a solid reputation with clients for providing legal services in complex, large scale leasing portfolios, allowing them to mitigate risk and focus on their core business.

Emma Leys

Emma has over 25 years’ experience practising in the areas of non-contentious property, finance, corporate, commercial and local government law, with a focus on property law. Emma acts for a broad range of private, corporate, institutional, local government, State Government department, and statutory corporation clients. Before joining Hall & Wilcox, Emma was a partner of the property and commercial team of Western Australian firm Kott Gunning for 16 years. Since 2019, Emma has been a committee member of the Property Council of Australia, WA Division Commercial Committee.

Emma Donaghue

Emma has over 15 years’ experience advising clients in the funds management and financial services industries. Her expertise includes the establishment and ongoing operation of MISs (listed and unlisted) and banking and finance transactions. She specialises in debt funds, including structuring, establishment and deployment of capital in documenting debt facilities. Emma’s experience includes working first-hand in the investment funds industry as legal counsel for a corporate and government bonds specialist. Clients describe Emma as clear thinking, resourceful, and results focused. She is a member of the Property Funds Association Issues and Regulatory Committee.

Eugene Chen

Eugene is a Partner in the Banking and Finance team at Hall & Wilcox, and is Head of the firm's China Practice. Eugene specialises in capital raising, funds management, financial services licensing and anti-money laundering law. Eugene services Australian and Chinese fund managers, corporate advisors, retail and commercial banks and financial institutions, institutional investors and ultra-high net worth investors, and has expertise in managing large scale mergers and acquisition, joint venturing and capital raising transactions for Australian and Chinese businesses.

Fay Calderone

For over 20 years, Fay has acted for employers across a range of industries including professional services, manufacturing, sport, health, aged care, community services and local councils focused always on the purpose and imperatives of the organisations she is servicing. As a specialist on all matters touching the workplace, Fay provides practical advice and guidance on proactive compliance, change management and restructuring, discrimination, bullying, harassment, misconduct investigations, performance management, enterprise agreements, and industrial disputes. In circumstances where disputes cannot be resolved, Fay represents employers in proceedings before industrial tribunals, including unfair dismissals, adverse action claims, and restraint matters in State and Federal Courts.

Frank Hinoporos

Frank is the section leader of the firm's national Tax practice. Frank advises his clients on direct taxes, international structuring and taxation, business transactions, corporate restructuring, taxation disputes and the not-for-profit sector. His clients include private and public companies, small-to-medium enterprises, high-net-worth individuals, family groups and not-for-profit organisations.

Gavin Macrae

Gavin’s practice focuses on the specialist area of statutory recovery for workers' compensation claims brought pursuant to the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) and Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic). He has acted for WorkSafe Victoria and its authorised insurers since 2003. Gavin offers responsive, straightforward and practical advice to his clients and he believes in a no-nonsense approach in all types of dispute resolution. He is an expert negotiator and maintains excellent relationships with his clients and opponents. Gavin is a preeminent Workers Compensation (Defendant) lawyer in Victoria in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession. Gavin sees the opportunity to recover lost revenue for self-insurers in the often under-utilised area of statutory recovery legislation. He has been instrumental in the development and design of the Hall & Wilcox recovery application for self-insurers to assist with identifying potential claims and lost revenue for clients. This innovation was recognised as a finalist at the 2016 Australasian Legal Practice Management Association/LexisNexis Legal Thought Leadership Awards.

Gemma Dehn

Gemma is an experienced insurance lawyer, beginning her legal career as a construction/insurance lawyer in London then later re-qualifying to practice in Australia. Gemma specialises in financial lines, construction and environmental claims. She advises domestic and international primary and excess layer insurers on policy coverage, defends complex litigation and proactively manages a range of recovery actions. Gemma has undertaken two insurer secondments within the financial lines team of a major international insurer. During both secondments Gemma managed a variety of claims including multi-million-dollar financial institution class actions, significant fidelity losses, and a range of management liability claims. Gemma’s strengths are her variety and depth of experience, her ability to provide timely, technical and succinct advice, her understanding of the insurance industry and particularly the needs of claims advisors, and her natural affinity with people.

Grant Galvin

Grant has more than 25 years' experience advising on catastrophic and major claims in the areas of CTP and general liability, which often involve complex liability, medical, causation and quantum issues. He is an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law. Grant is the section leader of the Statutory Insurance NSW/ACT team, our largest insurance practice, across two states and three offices. His team acts for well-known insurers and self-insurers in the defence of workers' compensation, work injury damages, motor accident and public liability claims. Grant is listed as a recommended Compulsory Third Party & Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Lawyer in NSW and as a recommended Workers Compensation Lawyer in NSW in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession 2019-2022. He is also a recommended insurance lawyer in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020.

Graydon Dowd

Graydon is a partner in the Commercial Dispute Resolution team at Hall & Wilcox. He is known for his strategic and capable handling of the toughest matters, and has particular expertise in contract disputes, negligence cases, regulatory matters including ASIC and ACCC investigations, coronial inquests and commissions, and product liability. He has advised clients in both the private and public sector.

Harry New

Harry is the lead partner of the firm's financial services practice. Harry's practice focuses extensively on financial services, corporate advisory and general corporate and commercial work. He has represented a number of listed public companies, large private companies and government organisations. Harry advises on managed investment schemes, structured products, financial services including licensing and product disclosure, product disclosure statement, prospectus preparation and public offers of managed investment interests and securities. He also advises on the Corporations Act, ASX Listing Rules, mergers, acquisitions and divestments, commercial transactions, superannuation, including self-managed and public offer funds and AML/CTF programs.

Hector West

Hector is a partner in the Hall & Wilcox Commercial Dispute Resolution team and is the office partner in charge of the Hall & Wilcox office in Perth. He has specialised in commercial dispute resolution, insolvency and bankruptcy for more than 20 years. He has extensive experience in commercial dispute resolution matters and his clients include large corporates, high net worth individuals, financial institutions, accounting firms and government bodies. More specifically, his experience includes acting in disputes in relation to the Australian Consumer Law, financial services law, corporations, partnership law, equity, collection of overdue Federal tax debts and regulatory investigations. He is also experienced in insolvency and bankruptcy matters, including acting and advising insolvency practitioners, directors, financial institutions in various claims and actions arising under security agreements, the Corporations Act or Bankruptcy Act.

Ilona Strong

Ilona has more than 15 years’ experience with her practice focusing on both statutory and common law claims across both Victorian and Tasmanian workcover legislation. She has acted for both agent insured and self-insured clients that operate in a range of industries, including manufacturing, retail and banking. Ilona also has experience in acting for clients in the commonwealth compensation jurisdiction. With an approach that addresses each claim holistically, Ilona ensures that her clients’ business needs are reflected, whilst also gaining an understanding of the industries in which they operate. She recognises the benefits of early resolution of workers’ compensation claims without resorting to protracted litigation for both her clients and the injured worker. With this in mind, Ilona’s strategy is to be proactive and negotiate settlements as early as possible. A strong team player, Ilona enjoys working alongside her clients, and managing claims and strategy collaboratively, which often includes liaising with different client representatives of a particular self-insurer. Clients often call upon her to give verbal strategic advice prior to the lodgment of a claim and during the lifecycle of a claim for compensation. Having insight into the operations of a client can assist with putting the right strategy into place early on and in some cases in anticipation of a claim being lodged. Understanding her client’s frustrations and common problems they faced led to the development of CLEAR. CLEAR stands for common law early assessment review and is a web based application that Ilona designed to assist clients identify common law claims early and to be proactive rather than reactive in the defence of such claims. Ilona won the WorkSafe Innovation Award for CLEAR in 2019. Ilona has experience with secondments and assisting self-insured clients with establishing processes and systems in relation to day to day claims management as well as providing strategic claims management advice. Ilona was a winner of the Australasian Lawyer’s Elite Women 2021 which recognises the top 50 Leading Women in Law. She has also been recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia every year since 2021 and is a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 in Insurance Law. In 2020, Ilona was a Partner of the Year – Biglaw finalist in Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards.

Jacob Uljans

Jacob (Jake) is a member of Hall & Wilcox’s commercial dispute resolution team, practising predominantly in general commercial litigation. Jake acts for clients in a wide range of contractual disputes, corporations and equity matters, insolvency proceedings, disputes with regulators, class actions, environment and sustainability disputes, trade practices and tax litigation. Jake specialises in legally and factually complex disputes and litigation, with a particular focus on disputes in the financial services and regulatory spaces. As a co-founder and director of a Melbourne-based brewing and hospitality business, Jake has substantial business knowledge and experience, and has previously held roles as a director of the Craft Beer Industry Association and on the Board of Management of the Flemington and Kensington Community Legal Centre.

Jacqueline McGrath

Jacqueline is a tax litigation expert with extensive experience acting for large multinationals, small-to-medium enterprises and individuals in disputes with the Australian Taxation Office, AusIndustry, State Revenue Offices and the Australian Border Force. Jacqueline has also previously been employed as a senior lawyer with the Australian Taxation Office, Australian Government Solicitor and the Australian Border Force – so is able to provide unique insights for clients about managing disputes with these regulators. Jacqueline is an experienced practitioner and a seasoned litigator with a unique skill set and experience across the public and private sector. Jacqueline works for clients in various industries including financial services, defence, technology and energy and resources.

Jacqui Barrett

Jacqui has extensive experience in advising and assisting clients with M&As, corporate structuring, corporate compliance and governance, capital raisings and managed investment schemes. She also advises clients with day-to-day legal issues affecting their business including supply arrangements, licensing arrangements, protection and commercialisation of intellectual property, manufacturing and distribution arrangements consultancy arrangements, terms and conditions, and privacy and confidentiality issues.

James Deady

James has experience in a broad range of commercial and intellectual property matters, including intellectual property commercialisation, agreements and licensing, trade mark registrability and infringement issues. James also has extensive experience in technology procurement, licensing and outsourcing matters. This work includes drafting and advising on IT contracts, including software licences, software, platform and infrastructure as a service agreements, software development agreements, IT project and implementation agreements, and IT service contracts, and drafting and advising on general commercial agreements.

James Morvell

James has a broad range of both corporate and general commercial experience, particularly in the areas of equity capital markets, corporate advice, and public and private M&A. James has acted for a diverse range of clients including publicly listed companies, private companies and multinational organisations. In particular, he has extensive corporate and transactional experience in the funds management and REIT sectors.

Jane Baddeley

Jane has been a practising solicitor for over 20 years specialising in Real Estate law with a focus on leasing in the commercial, retail, industrial, education and government sectors in all Australian jurisdictions. Jane has a focus on corporate occupier work, acting for commercial tenants in major lease transactions including head office relocations, purpose built industrial premises, distribution centres and data centres. Jane has also managed high volume lease portfolios for retail tenants (Australia wide) including all aspects of the lease transaction, advice regarding disputes, repair, redevelopments, relocation and disposals/acquisitions/change in control as well as the provision of strategic legal advice at CEO/Board level. Jane also has extensive experience in the Real Estate aspects of M&A deals, including due diligence, SPA drafting, assignment/change in control, new lease deals and freehold acquisitions/disposals. Jane has been recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Real Property Law and Leasing Law every year since 2016 and is noted in the 2020 edition of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Jane is a long standing member of both the Victorian Commercial & Corporate Real Estate Committee of the Property Council of Australia and the Law Council of Australia’s Australian Law Property Law Group, Victorian Committee.

Jason McMahon

Jason commenced employment with Hall and Wilcox in January 2009 and was appointed as a Partner on 1 January 2016. Jason acts for WorkSafe Victoria and its agents and employers. He is the relationship partner and manages lawyers acting on behalf of the TAC at the firm. Jason’s practice focuses on personal injury litigation management and administrative law. He predominantly manages Mildura and Bendigo common law and statutory benefits claims brought pursuant to the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic) and the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic). Jason also has a well-developed and successful judicial review practice. Jason's contribution to the workers' compensation scheme was recognised when he was the recipient of Worksafe's inaugural 'Award for Excellence in Personal Injury Management' in 2010. Jason has also been recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Personal Injury Litigation every year since 2020 and is a recommended Workers' Compensation (Defendant) lawyer in Victoria in Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession. Prior to joining Hall & Wilcox, Jason worked in a number of roles at the TAC and TAC Law from 1998 and later WorkSafe Victoria in 2004. Jason remained at WorkSafe Victoria for approximately four years with his final position being Principal Workers’ Consultant at WorkCover Assist – a division of WorkSafe Victoria which provides representation for workers before the Accident Compensation Conciliation Service.

Jennifer Degotardi

Jennifer is a real estate partner with extensive experience in all aspects of commercial property law. In particular, she acts for clients in the government, financial services, transport and infrastructure sectors. Jennifer provides advice on a diverse range of issues including title and development issues relating to infrastructure projects and other government developments, rail corridor access, property management outsourcing, acquisitions and disposals (including in relation to compulsory acquisitions by agreement), leasing and other land access arrangements. Jennifer has a pragmatic and solutions focussed approach to her matters. Clients benefit from her efficient and effective management of their legal matters and her consistent drive to innovate to improve the delivery of legal services.

Jim Koutsokostas

Jim is a Chartered Tax Adviser with over 15 years’ experience. He provides tax advice on a broad range of corporate and trust tax matters, having advised a number of publicly-listed, international, and large private clients on highly technical and complex matters, with a focus on the finance, government, and property and construction sectors. Jim’s expertise extends to most areas of taxation law, covering Federal taxes (income tax, GST and FBT) and State taxes (duties, land tax and payroll tax). His experience includes advising on the tax aspects of securitisation structures, development and lease agreements, property sale contracts, structured retail financial products and collective investment vehicles (CIVs), including managed investment trusts. In addition, Jim has advised on the tax aspects of a number of cross-border transactions, onshore and offshore fund establishment, as well as property and infrastructure projects. He has also advised domestic and foreign financiers on the direct and indirect tax aspects of transactions with respect to distressed entities.

Joanna Turnbull

Joanna is an experienced insurance lawyer, specialising in statutory classes of insurance. Joanna has extensive experience advising and representing employers, self-insurers, NSW workers compensation managed fund scheme agents, treasury managed fund agents and the Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer (icare). Joanna’s practice incorporates statutory and common law claims and judicial review matters. She manages matters involving both physical and psychological injuries, litigated matters and non-litigated advice work. She regularly appears in the NSW Personal Injury Commission, District Court and Supreme Court. Self-insurer and employer clients value Joanna's strong understanding of the claims management process and the challenges they face in managing workers' compensation claims. Prior to being admitted as a solicitor, Joanna worked for a large NSW workers' compensation insurer providing her with first-hand experience in the day to day management of claims. Joanna regularly presents seminars and provides formal and informal training to self-insurers and employers on management of workers' compensation liability, management of workers' compensation claims and legal developments in NSW workers' compensation.

Joe Mancuso

Joe has more than 23 years' experience advising insurers on large and complex claims under CTP and statutory classes of insurance. He also advises on commercial insurance and indemnity claims, and property damage. Joe is well known for his practical approach to claims, advocacy skills and technical knowledge in all aspects of claims. Joe regularly appears as a CARS advocate, and on occasions against senior counsel. Joe works primarily with insurers in the CTP and general liability space.

Joey Liu

Joey is a key member of the Property and Projects team, renowned for her expertise in property development and her leadership in the firm's China Practice. Known for her pragmatic approach to high-stakes, time-sensitive transactions, Joey is highly regarded by clients, including various property funds, for her responsiveness and her commercially minded approach to large property transactions. With a comprehensive skill set spanning property development, acquisitions, due diligence, contract negotiations, leasing, and investments, Joey is a trusted advisor in all stages of the development process. Her fluency in both Mandarin and Cantonese gives her a unique advantage, enabling her to provide specialized guidance to major property developers, high-net-worth property investors, and various property funds. Joey's clients include Dahua Group, Wuzhong International, Bewise Group, Linkage Group, Titan Development, Eureka International Group, Synnex Australia Pty Ltd, RPM Group, and numerous property funds, among others, on a diverse range of property matters. Joey has over 14 years of experience in property law, Joey’s clients trust in her ability to deliver tailored solutions and strategic insights, ensuring the success of their ventures in the ever-evolving landscape of property development.

John O"Kane

John is a Partner and leads the Property and Projects team at Hall & Wilcox. John has 20 years' experience in both front and back end construction and development law. John advises in relation to complex delay, disruption and variation claims and a variety of defects, bank guarantee recovery, liquidated damages, contract-based and trade practices claims. John is experienced in general commercial property litigation. He also advises in relation to development and joint venture arrangements and the most suited delivery mechanism for construction and infrastructure projects.

John Gray

John is a senior corporate and commercial lawyer who has specialised in technology and intellectual property law for 30 years. He is a partner in the Corporate and Commercial team at Hall & Wilcox. John advises clients on commercial transactions and legal disputes in the fields of IT, telecommunications and media. His expertise covers all the legal issues associated with the use of technology in business and government, including licensing, privacy and data protection, copyright, branding and e-payments. Known for his hands-on and pragmatic approach, and his ability to find solutions to legal and commercial issues, John is a seasoned practitioner in the IT market and often acts for governments and financial institutions in relation to major IT projects.

John Bassilios

John has broad experience in financial services, funds management, blockchain, corporate and commercial law, with a particular emphasis on funds management related matters. John is one of Australia's leading Fintech and Blockchain/crypto lawyers and is a Director on the board of Blockchain Australia. John has acted for a wide range of financial services providers (both start-ups and established industry providers), including retail and wholesale fund managers, investment advisers, financial planners, stockbrokers, IDPS operators, managed discretionary account providers and consumer credit providers. He has advised financial services providers on all aspects of managed investments schemes, AFSL and ACL licensing, disclosure requirements, and ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements.

Julian Hammond

Julian is a commercial disputes and regulatory investigations lawyer. He is regularly briefed to act for, or against, government entities. Julian’s specialist expertise includes the use and misuse of regulatory powers in investigations and enforcement proceedings by bodies such as ASIC, APRA, ATO, ASQA. He regularly advises clients in relation to their dealings with State and Federal governments and their agencies (and vice versa). Julian is also an anti-corruption and integrity specialist, who worked with the Victorian Government and the Premier as part of a specialist team setting up the IBAC. He has acted for clients in IBAC investigations and provided seminars and training to Victorian and local government entities on the powers and functions of the IBAC. Julian has acted for and advised clients in five Royal Commissions, at both State and Federal level. He acted for one of Australia’s best performing superannuation funds during investigations and appearances before the Financial Services Royal Commission and subsequent regulatory investigations. Julian has significant experience in Government and administrative law, and has recently acted for a Victorian integrity body in sensitive judicial review proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Julian has acted for Departments and individuals in a number of high profile cases, including parliamentary inquiries. He also regularly receives instructions to act for registered training organizations in administrative law proceedings. Julian also assists clients with general commercial and product liability litigation. His clients include government entities, large public and private companies, small-to-medium enterprises and high-net-worth individuals.

Karl Rozenbergs

Karl is a Partner and leads the Employment and Workplace Relations team at Hall & Wilcox. He is an experienced litigator and a skilled negotiator, and provides clear, strategic, and cost-effective advice. With over 25 years of experience, Karl advises clients across a broad range of employment and industrial issues. He is highly experienced in providing advice on negotiating and implementing enterprise agreements, defending unfair dismissal claims, discrimination claims, and contractual disputes.

Katherine Payne

Katherine’s primary expertise is in corporate insolvency, the PPSA, contractual disputes, misleading and deceptive conduct, and building and construction litigation in an insolvency context. Katherine partners closely with her clients to achieve their best strategic outcome efficiently and effectively. She proactively seeks an early favourable outcome. Where this is not available, emphasis on commerciality and strategic decision-making drive her management of formal disputes. Katherine’s clients include many well-known insolvency practitioners, advisory accountants, financiers, national and international corporates, suppliers and manufacturers of a variety of goods, and logistics providers. Katherine regularly publishes articles and presents to clients and associations from a range of sectors, particularly on insolvency issues and regarding the impact of PPSA on their business. She has published PPSA: A Practical Guide for Financiers, and written and developed the PPSA Online Checklist, the first online PPSA claim assessment tool for insolvency practitioners. Katherine sits on the Vic/Tas Committee of the Australian Reconstruction, Insolvency and Turnaround Association and is a Board Member of The Song Room, a national not-for-profit organisation which partners with schools to deliver music and arts programs for children in areas of disadvantage

Kathryn Howard

Kathryn leads the Public Sector industry group at Hall & Wilcox, and is a partner in our Commercial Dispute Resolution. Kathryn is a senior commercial disputes specialist, having practised in Melbourne, Tokyo and London. Her areas of expertise include commercial disputes, alternative dispute resolution, administrative law and public law.

Kathy Melville

Kathy has over 20 years’ advocacy experience, and over 15 years’ experience in defending and managing workers’ compensation and common law claims in Western Australia. Kathy acts for and advises insurers and employers, and regularly appears in the District Court and at WorkCover WA. Kathy is highly regarded for her combination of communication and technical skills. Kathy has particular expertise advising on indemnity issues, and has advised and assisted a national insurer with the drafting of policy wordings and policy endorsements. Kathy also has a particular interest in and extensive experience in all aspects of fatality claims. Kathy regularly advises in multi-party matters involving complex contractual indemnity and recovery claims.

Katrina Reye

Katrina practises principally in the areas of commercial law and property law and development. She has advised many local government bodies, and the private sector, in relation to major property developments and property related issues including land due diligence, multi-million dollar purchases and sales, commercial and retail leasing, licensing, compulsory acquisitions, easements, restrictive covenants, public private partnerships and Crown land matters. Katrina’s clients include a number of government and institutional clients including Newcastle Airport Limited, Lake Macquarie City Council, McCloy Group, Compass Housing, Port Stephens Council, Hunter Development Corporation, Hunter Water Corporation, Newcastle Permanent Building Society and Ausgrid (formerly EnergyAustralia). Admitted as a solicitor in 2004, Katrina was awarded numerous awards throughout her university career, including the Evatt Medal (awarded for the best performance in the Bachelor of Law course). In recognition of her experience in commercial property, Katrina was invited to be a member of the Hunter Chapter of the Property Council of Australia and has been a member of the Committee since 2011. Katrina is the sole legal representative on the Committee.

Kelli Stallard

Kelli has extensive experience in insurance, product liability, public liability and workers’ compensation having acted for more than 30 years on behalf of insurers (both domestic and international), corporations, government bodies and instrumentalities. In the insurance area she has vast experience in acting on liability claims, particularly product liability, public liability and workers’ compensation. She has appeared before courts, regulatory bodies, inquiries and coronial inquests throughout Australia. Kelli is well placed to advise on issues of insurance through her high profile in the national insurance industry with experience in serving on the board of the Australian Insurance Law Association Ltd (AILA) as past President, past Vice President and past National Secretary. She has also served as past Chairman of the Queensland branch. This has provided her with insight into the wider issues that impact on the insurance industry generally. Her contribution was acknowledged when she was awarded life membership. Kelli was a member of the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Board for 15 years, the peak advisory board on occupational health and safety issues to the Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations. Kelli is the only Australian member of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) in the US. Kelli has a long record of providing resources for training both in-house and on site for many key clients, industry groups and legal groups having presented and chaired over 250 seminars including to the Queensland Law Society, AILA, PLAC, the Claims Discussion Group. Kelli is a trained mediator and has represented clients in hundreds of formal settlements conferences and mediations. Kelli is also an immediate past member of the Executive International Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.

Kirrilee Kennedy

Kirrilee has more than 20 years’ experience in personal injury claims, having acted for both claimants and insurers in NSW and England. Since 2004 Kirrilee has specialised in acting for insurers in NSW in catastrophic and complex CTP claims. She is known for her pragmatic approach and aims for cost-effective and fair resolution of claims, with a strong emphasis on her client’s commercial objectives. Kirrilee has expertise in dealing with contentious matters involving multiple defendants, indemnity and liability disputes, complex issues of medical causation and fraud

Kristopher Kunasingam

Kristopher leads the migration practice at Hall & Wilcox. He advises on all aspects of migration to Australia, with particular emphasis on employment-related migration. He has advised a wide range of clients, including large public and international companies, as well as small-to-medium enterprises. Kristopher also has experience in assisting individuals with their migration matters, including skilled, business, investor, high net worth individuals and family visa applicants. He is also involved in tribunal and court matters appealing visa and citizenship refusals. Businesses have engaged Kristopher to perform and prepare audit reports on their visa workforce, develop strategies to meet migration regulatory requirements and provide ad-hoc advice on all visa matters.

Kristy Dorney

Kristy has over 20 years' experience advising the property investment industry with a focus on development and construction projects, leasing and tenant disputes and property management generally. She advises property investors, fund managers, asset and property managers, developers, and financiers on matters such as joint venture arrangements, development management agreements, fund through arrangements, construction contracts and regulatory compliance, tripartite agreements, solar installation, cladding remediation, embedded network compliance, retail shop lease legislation compliance, sustainability matters and redevelopment projects, including tenant management, relocation, and dispute resolution. Kristy regularly advises on enforcement of leases, construction contracts, and other real estate contracts. Her experience also includes construction and real estate disputes

Langton Clarke

Langton has extensive experience across all aspects of the funds management industry. He has particular expertise in investment vehicles seeking to raise capital from the retail and wholesale sectors. Langton advises both start up enterprises and long-established businesses about raising new capital or debt, establishing investment opportunities and restructuring existing businesses and investment projects.

Leigh Parker

Leigh has significant experience and expertise in general insurance litigation acting for most major Australian insurers as well as a number of English insurers and underwriters. His specialty is in property damage liability claims (defence and recovery) and professional indemnity. He also has expertise in policy interpretation and defending fraudulent claims. His practice spans high frequency litigation as well as multi-million dollar litigation. Leigh is highly regarded for his project management expertise which comes to the fore in his conduct of long and complex trials. He has also worked across most jurisdictions in Australia and has significant experience in both New South Wales and Victoria. Leigh has an eye for detail and an excellent track record. He understands the imperative to achieve commercial outcomes, and looks for early and creative settlement opportunities where appropriate. He is also responsive and personable in his dealings with clients and insureds.

Liam Campion

Liam is an accomplished litigator and advocate, with an exceptional track record in obtaining successful outcomes for his insurer clients. Liam specialises in coverage disputes and subrogated property recoveries, including in mass tort bushfire litigation. Liam acts across a broad spectrum of subrogated recoveries, including tortious claims in negligence, nuisance, and deceit, as well as contractual claims and claims made under statute including the Australian Consumer Law, the Building Act 1993 (Vic) and the Water Act 1989 (Vic). Liam practices across several jurisdictions, and has experience in the High Court of Australia, the Federal Court and the Supreme Courts of Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales, as well as lower courts throughout the country. Liam is trusted and respected by his clients for his ability to absorb complex technical evidence and voluminous documentation in a highly efficient manner. His strategic decision-making and ability to focus on ‘signal’ rather than ‘noise’ is fundamental in ensuring disputes are managed in an efficient and focused manner. It is this aptitude that has enabled Liam to develop a practice with a specific focus on mass tort, large loss and complex litigation.

Maree Ferguson

Maree is a specialist insurance lawyer with nearly 20 years’ experience in personal injury and property damage claims. She regularly handles complex, high quantum and sensitive claims including catastrophic personal injury claims and historical abuse claims. She acts for domestic insurers, the WA and NT governments, a number of Lloyd’s and London-based insurers and self-insured public companies. Maree is highly regarded for her technical advice and proactive and commercial approach to achieving favourable, cost-effective outcomes for her clients.

Mark Montag

Mark has extensive expertise in the delivery of major projects, with particular focus on the renewable energy, energy, power, infrastructure and resources sectors. His experience includes advising on a range of project contracts including engineering, procurement and construction contracts, split 'EPC' contracts, design and construct contracts, connection agreements, equipment supply contracts, operation and maintenance agreements, alliance agreements, power purchase agreements, off-take agreements and joint venture agreements. Mark regularly acts for corporate and government clients in relation to the development and financing of a wide range of major infrastructure and construction projects. He acts nationally, and internationally in Asia and Latin America. Mark partners with clients to develop optimal project structures and practical solutions to meet his clients' commercial objectives.

Mark Dunphy

Mark is a Partner in the Employment and Workplace Relations team at Hall & Wilcox. With close to 30 years' experience, Mark's practice encompasses both litigious and non-litigious applications of employment and industrial relations law. Mark is skilled in dealing with matters involving industrial disputes, industrial strategy, employee discipline, unfair dismissals, adverse action claims, common law disputes, equal opportunity and discrimination and sexual harassment claims. He provides advice on the effect of legislative change on businesses, award interpretation and ramifications and industrial disputes and their implications. He has expertise in drafting and advising on enterprise agreements, providing advice and acting in litigious matters regarding terminations, drafting and advising on employment contracts and employment audits, and employment related areas of due diligence.

Mark Dessi

Mark specialises in the construction, energy and infrastructure sectors and is the lead partner in the firms energy practice. Mark acts for owners, developers, project companies and contractors on a range of projects across numerous industry sectors including energy, water, manufacturing, PPP and social housing.

Mark Inston

Mark is the lead partner of the firm's Banking and Finance practice. He has more than 25 years' experience acting for Australian and overseas financial institutions and borrowers in a broad range of finance transactions, including construction and investment property finance, all forms of corporate finance, including syndicated and bilateral loans, mezzanine and quasi equity finance, acquisition finance, asset and equipment finance, and derivatives.

Mark Petrucco

Mark lead's the Commercial Dispute Resolution team at Hall & Wilcox. He specialises in corporate insolvency matters, commercial litigation and corporations law disputes, intellectual property and copyright litigation, and financial services disputes including securities enforcement. He also has extensive experience working with banks and wealth funds, and advising on matters related to Royal Commissions and inquires. Mark acts on behalf of a number of national clients on large pieces of commercial litigation and disputes in financial services industries.

Mark Lyons

Mark focuses on major transactions and leasing in all property sectors plus acting for developers of commercial and residential strata title projects. Mark has extensive experience in the investment funds sector having established the Real Estate team at boutique funds management firm McMahon Clarke which he has led for almost two decades. Mark has over 30 years’ experience spanning the full spectrum of property law, including leasing, property and site acquisition, investment, sale of land and business assets, and redevelopment. Mark has a deep understanding of the importance of negotiation skills, commerciality, and getting the documents right.

Martin Ross

Martin is a Partner at Hall & Wilcox, and leads the firm's national Corporate and Commercial team. Martin practices commercial law with extensive experience in contracts and commercial litigation. He focuses on corporate, commercial, regulatory and private clients, with particular expertise in the sports and media sectors. Martin's expertise includes complex commercial contracting, intellectual property and mergers and acquisitions. He has worked on high-profile and complex transactions and litigation, including media rights transactions, major sponsorship agreements, M&A in sport, governance, and rules and regulations.

Matt McDonald

Matt has vast experience and expertise in public and product liability, professional indemnity, property, including recoveries, class actions and coverage disputes and fraud. He has a particular focus on inquests and other coronial inquires in relation to fatalities caused by failed or defective industrial and civil infrastructure, motor accidents and product defects.

Matthew Needham

Matthew has over 18 years experience in insurance litigation and specialises in defending state statutory class and common law claims arising in the challenging Australian Capital Territory jurisdiction. He regularly assists insurers and self-insurers to liaise with the ACT regulator on issues concerning the ACT scheme. Matthew is highly experienced in the defence of state statutory classes litigation and uses his knowledge to assist clients with strategic claims management in order to achieve streamlined and commercial outcomes. He regularly appears in the ACT Magistrates Court, ACT Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Matthew is also highly experienced in worker to worker claims on workers' compensation recoveries in construction site matters. He specialises in complex personal injuries litigation involving employers, head contractors and multiple subcontractors. Matthew works with national insurers, self-insurers and boutique insurers operating within the ACT underwritten scheme. Matthew has been recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Litigation every year since 2019. He is also recognised as a preeminent workers' compensation lawyer in Doyle's Guide 2020.

Matthew Smith

Matthew joined Hall & Wilcox on 1 July 2017, after almost 30 years at Harris Wheeler, most recently as managing partner of the firm and supervising partner of the firm’s Commercial practice. In addition to advising on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, Matthew has provided advice to a number of Hunter public sector clients including Port Stephens Council, Newcastle City Council, Maitland City Council, Hunter Water Corporation, Hunter Development Corporation, Newcastle Airport Pty Limited, Hunter New England Local Health District, the University of Newcastle, Hunter TAFE and Hunter Resource Recovery. Matthew’s special knowledge covers legal risk management and the allocation of risk in commercial contracts, contract drafting and negotiation, precedent development, legal audits of insurance cover, procurement, contract tendering and contract administration, corporate governance and probity, trade practices and competition law, the protection and commercialisation of inventions and other intellectual property, technology related contracts, joint ventures & public/private partnerships.

Matthew Curll

Matthew is a Partner at Hall & Wilcox and is co-lead of the firm’s National Financial Services and Insurance Industry Group. He also heads up the National General Insurance team. Matthew's practice includes: managing personal injury, disability, professional indemnity, D&O, MPL and EPL claims; advising commercial clients on risk/insurance related aspects of their business and legal review of insurance programs/policies including excess layer and reinsurance policies; and advising insurers and intermediaries on policy development and associated regulatory considerations including exemptions, pds statements and distribution, and regulatory considerations in the event of a potential breach or a commercial transaction.

Maurice Doria

Maurice has more than 25 years’ experience delivering legal services for clients in both the private and public sector. Maurice advises his clients in corporate and commercial law, contract preparation and negotiation, real estate development, governance, leasing, finance and dispute resolution. Maurice has also worked as General Counsel at Parramatta City Council and Legal Services Director at the City of Sydney Council. Both in these roles and in private practice, Maurice has delivered client-focused legal services, ranging from high-level strategic advice on policy or politically sensitive issues to operationally focused legal support for business projects. Maurice delivers business-minded solutions in a timely and efficient manner, and adds real value for clients by working with them in a true business partnership approach.

McLane Edinger

McLane specialises in estate, will and trust disputes, complex estate administration and elder abuse. He has acted and advised on several large-scale and high-profile estate disputes in both the Supreme Court of WA and Court of Appeal, including multi-jurisdictional estates. McLane also practices in commercial dispute resolution and insolvency. McLane provides his clients with thoughtful, practical, and commercial advice and guidance.

Meg Lee

Meg is a Partner in our Property and Projects team, specialising in planning and environment law. She has over 20 years’ experience advising clients in the government, retail, residential, health, industrial, water and energy sectors. She advises on environmental and planning approvals, liabilities, and statutory regulation for major infrastructure, property developments and commercial transactions. A significant component of her practice involves working with clients to obtain planning and environmental project approvals and rezoning of land, including running appeals and hearings before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Planning Panels and Ministerial Advisory Committees. Related to her specialty, Meg also advises on land acquisition and compensation matters in the context of major projects.

Michael Parker

Michael’s practice focuses on tax disputes, capital gains tax, business sales and acquisitions and restructuring. He also acts in matters that deal with domestic income tax, tax compliance, tax training and tax due diligence.

Michelle Eastwell

Michelle is an experienced corporate lawyer specialising in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions and alternative fund raisings, based in Brisbane. In addition, Michelle works closely with her clients to assist with corporate governance issues and regulatory compliance, in particular ASX Listing Rules and Corporations Act matters. Michelle works with clients to negotiate significant commercial agreements and provides commercial advice on business critical matters. With clients across a range of sectors, Michelle works with companies listed on the ASX and other stock exchanges as well with unlisted companies, including emerging businesses. Michelle has a specific interest in the technology, financial services and biotech sectors. Michelle prides herself on the relationships she has with clients and is committed to working alongside her clients in the long term and contributing to their growth and success.

Mitchell Stein

Mitch is an experienced insurance and litigation lawyer who acts for insurers and private clients. The cornerstone of his practice is assisting medical and allied health practitioners with civil and disciplinary claims as well as a broader practice in the areas of public and product liability, professional indemnity and financial lines. Mitch is highly regarded for his depth of knowledge in the medical defence space and partners with his clients to navigate challenging situations. He is a trusted advisor to his clients. Mitch has appeared on behalf of clients in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts in Queensland and well as the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in New South Wales. He also has extensive experience in litigation in other States of Australia. Mitch regularly appears for health practitioners in disciplinary matters before QCAT, NCAT, National Boards as well as being instructed to act for interested parties in coronial investigations in Queensland and New South Wales.

Natalie Bannister

Natalie lead’s Hall & Wilcox’s Commercial practice (which includes litigation, corporate and commercial, tax, employment, private clients, banking and finance and property and projects) and has broad experience across many areas of commercial law. Natalie also has close to 20 years’ experience in property, planning and environment law. She acts primarily for institutional clients, utility providers, property developers and large companies. Her experience includes property due diligence, sales and acquisitions; commercial and retail leasing including managing national property portfolios; land contamination including compliance, risk allocation and liability, management and clean-up; obtaining development approvals; planning advice and compliance (including in respect of Aboriginal and European Heritage, native vegetation, traffic, noise, flooding and water quality impacts); rates and land tax objections; compulsory acquisition of land and compensation and property disputes and advice about easements, rights of way and adverse possession. She regularly acts as an advocate before VCAT and at planning panel hearings. Natalie has been recognised as a leading Australian lawyer in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession. She has also been recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Real Property Law every year since 2017 and was a Finalist at the 2020 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Executive of the Year. Natalie is customer-service focused and is constantly evolving and improving the way she delivers legal services to make it as easy as possible for clients to do business with her. Natalie takes an innovative approach to pricing, using fixed fees and other alternative fee arrangements to deliver price certainty and value for money. Natalie is responsive to clients and always does what she says she will do.

Nicholas Studdert

Nicholas is a highly experienced lawyer who has concentrated on insurance law, particularly claims under the NSW statutory classes of insurance, for more than 20 years. He is the service line leader for our NSW workers' compensation practice. Nicholas advises insurers on the management of claims and liability disputes and helps them to develop and implement strategies to respond to these issues. He regularly appears in the NSW Personal Injury Commission, District Court and Supreme Courts, including at the appellant level. Nicholas works with a large number of insurers and employers and is regularly involved in training and educating his clients on a range of topics and is the co-author of the LexisNexis practical guidance for NSW work injury damages claims. Nicholas was listed as a leading workers' compensation lawyer in NSW in Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession from 2020-2022. He has also been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Personal Injury Litigation every year since 2020.

Nicola Johnson

Nicola has extensive subject matter expertise in administrative law, advising Commonwealth agencies on complex legal issues and the conduct of reputationally significant litigation. She regularly appears as solicitor advocate in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Federal Circuit and Family Court and Federal Court of Australia. Nicola specialises in advising and representing government, particularly the Department of Home Affairs. With over 19 years of experience undertaking volume litigation and advice as a solicitor, she is known for delivering outcomes under strict timeframes and accountability frameworks. Her advice demonstrates an understanding of the needs of government agencies and the relevant legislative context in which they operate. Nicola also has significant inquiries experience, representing the Commonwealth in high profile Coronial Inquests and Royal Commissions

Nicole Tumiati

Nicole is a partner in Hall & Wilcox’s Corporate and Commercial team. Nicole has over 20 years’ experience as a corporate lawyer, working in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Nicole has acted on a broad variety of matters and transactions including public and private mergers and acquisitions, public and private fundraisings, general corporate and commercial advice, structuring, joint ventures and other commercial agreements. Nicole regularly works with large corporates and other businesses across many different industries but has particular experience assisting clients in the following sectors: Retail & FMCG (including food, beverage and agribusiness); professional services (including financial services); manufacturing; and logistics.

Oliver Jankowsky

Oliver heads the firm's International practice and is a partner in the Corporate & Commercial team focusing on M&A, foreign investments and cross border transactions. He has considerable experience in acting for foreign companies acquiring businesses in Australia and advising management of Australian subsidiaries of overseas companies.

Oliver Jankowsky

Oliver is a Corporate Partner, whose practice focuses on mergers & acquisitions, corporate advisory, divestments, foreign investments and start-up capital raising. He has particular expertise in cross-border transactions advising foreign clients on their legal needs in Australia and how to enter the Australian market. Oliver’s practice also comprises drafting a range of commercial agreements including shareholders and distribution agreements and advising on IT contracts.

Paul Baxter

Paul has over 20 years' experience in insurance and commercial litigation. In particular his practice focuses on personal injury and property liability claims under common law and statutory schemes as well as marine and transport industry litigation. Paul also specialises in indemnity disputes, fraud claims, statutory prosecution defence and recoveries. Paul advises various major national and international insurers, large corporate insureds, transport operators and government departments. Paul has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Commercial Law, Insurance Law, Motor Vehicle Law, Personal Injury Litigation, Shipping and Maritime Law, Trade Law, and Transportation Law every year since 2011. He is also a recommended professional indemnity and public liability lawyer in Queensland in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession. He is director and secretary of Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand and a member of the Australian Insurance Law Association.

Penelope Ford

www.nortonrosefulbright.com/people/163319/penelopeford

Philip Hopley

Philip is an experienced corporate insurance and financial services lawyer. He leads the firm’s corporate insurance practice. Philip helps clients do business by advising them on commercial solutions to insurance issues that are effective, clear and easy to understand. He acts for a range of clients including general and life insurers, reinsurers, insurance intermediaries and financial institutions as well as general corporate and government clients.

Rachael Arnold

Rachael is a well-rounded and experienced insurance lawyer. Rachael advises insurers and corporates in the defence of public and product liability claims (both personal injury and property damage), professional indemnity and medical negligence claims, and on policy response. Rachael acts in defence of claims in the state and federal courts and before the Coroner’s court. Rachael advises a range of industry groups including sport, hospitality, leisure, retail, cleaning, security, commercial and residential property management and owners, churches, schools, medical, health, aged care, child care, trades and construction. Rachael is highly regarded for her experience, technical advice and commercial approach to reducing claims, risk and costs. Rachael is always accessible and focuses on the client’s needs. Rachael is a former Board Director of Women Sport Australia, is a member of the Bondi Running and Triathlon Club, a member of Women in Insurance, the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association, the Medico-Legal Society of NSW, AILA and the Women Lawyers Association of NSW.

Ranny Fan

Ranny has over 20 years’ experience in corporate and commercial law. She specialises in international and domestic M&A, with an emphasis on cross-border transactions, joint ventures, acquisition and disposal of businesses and assets and regulatory approvals (including FIRB approvals). Ranny has dual qualifications in Australia and China. She is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Rhett Slocombe

Partner and Insurance National Practice Leader

Rory O’Connor

With over 16 years’ experience in planning and environmental law, Rory has a focus on major projects and infrastructure and large scale infill and growth area development projects. He has experience in planning and environment, including development approvals across a broad scale, compulsory land acquisition, due diligence and risk advice, retail planning, land fill, geotechnical and contaminated land matters, prosecutions, enforcement and water law. Rory has an excellent understanding of the statutory environmental and planning approvals process for major projects under the Planning and Environment Act, the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 and associated referrals under the Environment Effects Act 1978 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. Rory has developed a reputation for being able to cut through and make sense of complex technical issues and planning disputes. A skilled negotiator and advocate, Rory regularly appears in review proceedings before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) before Advisory Committees and at Planning Panels.

Rosemary Roach

Rosie has over 20 years' experience in employment, industrial, work health and safety and discrimination law. Rosie has assisted clients with large and diverse workforces, across a variety of industries on all aspects of employment law and industrial relations, from sensitive disciplinary matters to dealing with complex industrial strategies and litigation. Rosie enjoys getting to know her clients and their business imperatives. Rosie understands how important it is to communicate legal issues in a manner that makes sense to the client and addresses their objectives. Clients appreciate the calm, thoughtful and pragmatic approach Rosie brings to each issue, no matter the size or complexity.

Sauming Chan

Sauming is an insurance litigation specialist and advises insurers and government departments and entities in defence of personal injury and property damage claims. Sauming acts in many complex, sensitive and high profile matters for both her insurance and government clients, including catastrophic personal injury claims and coronial inquests. She is highly regarded for her forensic analysis and outcome driven strategies. With an ingrained understanding of the strategic imperatives of her clients, Sauming has consistently assisted them to deliver on these objectives with her specialist knowledge of the issues unique to them, including funding and resourcing constraints. Through this, Sauming has become a preferred and trusted legal services adviser to insurer and government clients.

Scott Butler

With over 25 years’ experience, Scott is a leading commercial dispute resolution lawyer with a broad practice working with clients, company directors, and advisers in a range of sectors. Scott combines his industry knowledge with strong technical and dispute resolution skills to provide innovative, commercial, and cost-effective solutions. Specialising in restructuring and insolvency, Scott is recognised as one of Queensland’s leading and most experienced lawyers in this field. As an expert in distressed turnarounds and restructures, Scott often works collaboratively with other turnaround and restructuring professionals, assisting with and documenting corporate restructures, and advising company directors in relation to their duties. Scott is a former chair of the Insolvency and Restructuring Committee of the Law Council of Australia. Scott is a Fellow of INSOL International and an expert in cross-border insolvency law.

Sean McMahon

Sean has more than 25 years’ experience in the funds management and corporate sectors and co-leads the Hall & Wilcox Investment Funds team. Prior to joining the firm, Sean lead the award-winning Funds Management team at McMahon Clarke. His expertise includes establishing and advising on fund structures, funds management, real estate finance and fund finance. Sean also advises on governance, directors' duties, compliance, and disclosure issues. Sean advises fund manager clients across a broad range of sectors, including property, equities, and mortgages (both wholesale and retail), about getting their product to market and their ongoing compliance obligations.

Selina Nutley

Selina has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in the funds management, financial services and real estate sectors and in dealing with regulators. In the funds management and financial services area, Selina is focused on assisting clients with managing contentious relationships between trustees, investment managers and investors, regulatory investigations (including with AFCA) and disputes arising from the licensee/authorised representation relationship. In the property area, Selina advises clients in disputes concerning contracts, development agreements, resumption of land and also represents clients in the Planning and Environment Court. Her general commercial litigation experience spans the likes of trade mark, defamation, partnership and restraint of trade disputes. Selina is highly regarded for her engaging, practical, and carefully tailored in-house training presentations. Clients value Selina's common sense commercial approach, outcomes focus, and genuine industry knowledge.

Sevan Gore

Sevan is a highly experienced corporate lawyer, particularly in the areas of equity capital markets and mergers & acquisitions. Sevan advises clients in a range of industries, but has significant experience in the mining sector, regularly acting for resources companies and investors on their strategic commercial matters.

Shaun Whittaker

Shaun specialises in new economy transactions revolving around social infrastructure, technology and impact investment. He has extensive experience advising on the structuring, delivery and financing of various social and affordable housing projects, build-to-rent projects, specialist disability accommodation (SDA) projects, hospital and healthcare projects, childcare facilities and technology platforms integrating with these sectors. Shaun’s clients benefit from his considerable projects and finance expertise. He regularly advises on bankability risks in infrastructure projects, with particular experience in capital grants, impact investment funding, alternative debt funding and subsidised arrangements. His experience in structuring, joint ventures, corporate, investment and finance enables him to provide ‘whole of project’ solutions to clients. Shaun has a deep understanding of the political, commercial and regulatory issues around funding and delivery of successful new businesses and projects, drawing on his experience acting for public and private entities, including not-for-profit and startup enterprises, to provide a holistic service to clients.

Simon Morgan

Simon is a highly experienced litigator, having practiced for over 27 years in the CTP, workers' compensation, recovery and liability jurisdictions. He is a partner in the NSW Statutory Insurance team which acts for major insurers and self-insurers in the defence of workers' compensation claims, work injury damages claims, motor accident and public liability claims. Simon has been appointed a District Court Arbitrator, is an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law and is an active member of the Australian Insurance Institute. He is a recommended CTP & Motor Vehicle Insurance lawyer in NSW in Doyle's Guide to the Legal Profession, as well as a recommended insurance lawyer in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

Stan Kondilios

Stan is a leading environmental and planning law litigator who specialises in supporting local government. His practice involves assessing and advising clients on good design of development proposals which are environmentally sustainable and proper community outcomes are reached. His studies for the Masters of the Built Environment set him as a leader in the legal profession when it comes to ESD assessments and environmental consequences on the built and natural environment.

Stefan Fenk

Stefan has over 10 years’ experience in construction, engineering and infrastructure law and previously acted in commercial litigation cases including, amongst other things, international litigation cases with aspects of European Union competition law for clients in Australia and Germany. Prior to joining Hall & Wilcox in 2022, Stefan worked for top-tier and leading legal practices in Australia specialising in construction dispute resolution. Stefan has acted in an array of large-scale project disputes, arbitrations, expert determinations, adjudications, mediations and facilitated negotiations. Stefan is admitted as a solicitor of the High Court of Australia and Supreme Court of NSW. Stefan has been recognised by his clients for his drive to quickly understand the commercial aspects, the construction issues and the legal framework to enable his clients to focus on the successful delivery of a project and enabling his clients to avoid or mitigate disputes and lengthy litigation. Also, acting regularly for major contractors and developers, Stefan has an astute understanding of the legal and commercial framework in which his clients operate and has a track record of providing advice and dispute resolution strategies which assist project teams to successfully deliver projects within budget and on time.

Stephanie Driscoll

Stephanie has over 20 years' experience in representing employers, insurers and self-insured corporations in the management and defence of a range of claims including intentional torts, property damage, pure economic loss and statutory classes of insurance. She has the day-to-day conduct of many matters and appears in the Conciliation and Arbitration Services and the District and Supreme Courts of Western Australia. Stephanie is a strong proponent of early intervention and alternative dispute resolution.

Stephen Klotz

Stephen is a well-respected commercial litigation lawyer with over 30 years’ experience. His specialist area of practice is in corporate and commercial dispute resolution, including complex debt, consumer law, contract, corporations law, equity, real property, partnership and shareholder disputes, superannuation and regulatory investigations. Stephen has represented both public and private companies across a range of industries and issues, in the Supreme Court, the Federal Court and High Court, and has led large-scale matters involving complex issues. His industry knowledge covers financial services, government, health, infrastructure, IT, mining, pharmaceutical, property, retail and transport.

Steve Johns

Steve’s practice focuses on corporate law, specialising in M&A and joint ventures. He has particular expertise in transactions in the technology (including ICT), life sciences, biotechnology and services sectors. Steve advises clients on share and asset sales, strategic investments, joint ventures and restructures (including carve-outs). His clients including foreign and domestic corporations and private equity and venture capital funds. In addition to his sector expertise, Steve has a focus on cross border transactions, and in particular transactions involving the US. He has worked in the US and regularly advises US clients on transactions in Australia.

Sumith Perera

Sumith is the Chief Operating Officer and the national Head of Corporate Services at Hall & Wilcox. He has over 20 years' experience in leading and managing teams at professional services firms. Sumith has the overall responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations at Hall & Wilcox and coordinating the activities of the firm's corporate services areas including: Business Development, Marketing & Communications Client Solutions Knowledge Legal Excellence & Risk Operations People & Culture Technology Finance

Suzie Leask

Suzie is a highly regarded specialist in corporate and commercial law. With over 15 years’ experience, Suzie assists companies and their boards, directors, company secretaries, management, in house legal teams and key business stakeholders to comply with a variety of commercial transactions, corporate governance and regulatory compliance obligations. Suzie is experienced in a range of areas including business transactions, corporate advisory, commercial contracts and procurement, IT and intellectual property, privacy law and cyber security, regulatory compliance, competition and consumer laws including unfair contract laws.

Tanya Smart

Tanya is an insurance specialist and an Accredited Specialist in personal injury. For over 25 years, she has worked with insurers and self-insured corporations to resolve CTP and public liability claims, including major and catastrophic claims. Her clients include IAG and Allianz. Tanya has defended claims involving complex insurance indemnity issues, dual insurance, nervous shock, compensation to relatives claims, multi-defendant matters with cross-claims, detailed quantum calculations, and administrative law challenges to decisions of Members and medical Assessors of the Personal Injury Commission. Tanya has deepened her knowledge of administrative law through her pro bono practice in judicial review of decisions of tribunals of the Federal Government concerning asylum seekers. Tanya has defended cases related to accidents which have occurred in most states and territories within Australia as well as in the UK, requiring knowledge of the damages regimes in those jurisdictions. She has acted as an advocate at numerous assessment conferences conducted by Members of the Personal Injury Commission.

Terry Killian

Terry has over 25 years' insurance litigation experience, with his past 20 years focused predominantly on advising underwriters and self-insurers in the defence of damages claims for personal injuries, property damage and financial loss. Terry has an in-depth understanding of and expertise in the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002, The Civil Liability Act 2003 and the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003. Doyle's Guide, recognises Terry as leading defendant lawyer in Workers’ Compensation & WorkCover and a recommended defendant lawyer in Public & Product Liability, Dust Diseases and CTP. He was also recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation every year since 2019. He is the current chair of the Queensland Law Society Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee and is an accredited specialist in personal injuries. Terry is adept in managing complex claims and multi-party claims across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on the mining, construction and health industries. He is trusted by clients to deal with their most sensitive or high risk claims. His ability to advocate his client’s position is best summed up by the words of mediator, Peter Munro when he says, 'As a consequence of my contact with Terry, I can say, with some conviction, that he is one of the best advocates in the mediation context, either barrister or solicitor, with whom I regularly have any contact'. Terry is a member of the Queensland Law Society and the Australian Insurance Law Association.

Tim Ainsworth

Tim practices in the area of New South Wales statutory workers compensation and modified common law damages for workers. Tim acts for self insured employers and employers’ insurers. He assists clients across a broad range of industries, including: banking; transport; labour hire; logistics; retail and insurance. Tim acts for the Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer for both insured risks and for claims against uninsured employers. Tim presents regularly to his clients and colleagues, through the College of Law, on a variety of topics associated with statutory workers compensation and work injury damages. Tim’s past experience working in the insurance industry and for injured workers allows him to bring a balanced and considered viewpoint to his advice and presentations. Experience Advising various clients in sensitive litigated and un-litigated claims relating to injuries and death in compensable circumstances. This includes successfully managing the legal argument and outcomes, while acting in a manner consistent with clients’ concerns as to the sensitive nature of those claims. Advising self-insurers in relation to organisational issues, licencing best practice, reinsurance and claims management as well as acting on behalf of those clients in litigated and non-litigated disputes. This includes providing legal advice that incorporates pragmatism drawn from knowledge of clients’ businesses and experience in the insurance industry.

Tom McMahon

Tom has extensive experience in acting for high net wealth families, private and public corporations and corporate trustees. He heads up the firm’s Private Client Dispute Resolution offering which has a focus on shareholder, joint venture, partnership, trust, estate and governance disputes. Tom has extensive experience in acting in tax, regulatory, financial services, “white collar” malfeasance and contractual disputes and provides his clients with commercial, practical and timely advice with a view to resolving disputes efficiently. He is an assertive and proactive advocate for his clients’ interests. Tom also has considerable experience in the not-for-profit sector, including as a board member and trustee.

Vanessa Murphy

Partner

Vince Battaglia

Vince Battaglia is an experienced funds management and financial services practitioner, working with Australian and global fund managers. Vince has extensive experience in retail and wholesale financial services and funds management. He is experienced in advising on a wide range of financial products including managed investment products, securities, derivatives, non-cash payment products, superannuation products, life policies and annuities.

Wayne Kelcey

Wayne is a leading litigation and insolvency expert, with over 20 years' experience, specialising in large and complex commercial disputes in all jurisdictions, including commercial arbitrations. These disputes have incorporated insolvency related disputes, shareholder and partnership disputes as well as major construction and intellectual property litigation. Wayne’s focus is on delivering the best possible commercial outcomes when it comes to litigation and dispute resolution, and clients appreciate his strategic approach and quick identification of issues. His clients include well known international corporates, manufacturers, building companies and many of Australia’s leading accounting and insolvency firms. Specifically, Wayne has developed very strong relationships within the insolvency industry and has acted in a number of high profile insolvencies from a variety of perspectives. He has also acted for a number of clients in relation to large complex litigation matters. Wayne has been recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia in Litigation every year since 2016 . He is also recognised as a Recommended Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyer 2018 in the Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession. He is a member of the Melbourne Central Insolvency Discussion Group and is a regular presenter at various insolvency conferences nationally and is the co-author of the PPSA Survival Guide for Insolvency Practitioners.

Zoe Keith

Zoe is a specialist insurance lawyer with particular expertise in public liability and professional indemnity claims. Her clients include major Australian general insurers and Lloyd’s of London syndicates. She regularly advises on the operation of insurance policies and provides risk management advice. Zoe is driven by service excellence, putting her clients’ needs at the heart of everything she does. Efficient and responsive; Zoe pushes disputes to resolution by prioritising outcomes over the legal process. She seeks commercial and innovative solutions to disputes that take into account both the legal issues and her clients’ internal drivers.

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