Wotton + Kearney

Client Satisfaction

Adam Chylek

Adam is the Head of Property, Energy + Infrastructure. He is consistently recognised as a Legal 500 key player in insurance law, and is widely acknowledged in Australia and the region as an expert in market management on major losses with parties located both locally and offshore. In Australia and internationally, Adam is noted for handling property, ISR and contract works matters in the energy, resources and power sectors, regularly managing complex market-profile indemnity disputes. He is recognised as a market leader for his work on the Christchurch earthquakes, Queensland floods, and is currently assisting the international insurance market on some of the largest, multi-billion-dollar gas and infrastructure losses in Australia. Adam is the ‘go-to’ adviser to many of W+K’s Australian, European and North American insurer and reinsurer clients operating in the mining, energy and power sectors. He also manages the catastrophe response team, which is deployed to roles throughout the region. Adam has been recognised by clients and colleagues in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020 as “an experienced lawyer” who “practices extensively in insurance and is briefed by a lot of insurers“, and a partner with “a very strong practice in the very specialised area of property damage, which he has made his own“. Adam successfully ran the pivotal case of Ace Insurance Ltd v Moose Enterprise Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 724 which is now the leading Australian authority on choice of law and jurisdiction clauses in insurance policies. He also successfully ran the case of Globe Church Incorporated v Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd [2019] NSWCA 27 in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, striking a win for insurers on the critical timing trigger for limitation purposes under a first party insurance policy.

Amanda Beattie

Amanda Beattie is the Head of Class Actions. She is an outstanding class actions defence lawyer and commercial litigator. In class actions, she has acted for financial institutions, professional services firms and government departments, including in multiple actions being heard concurrently. Her broader litigation experience includes large-scale commercial arbitration and litigation, ASIC investigations and Royal Commissions. Amanda is known for her ability to run novel, large-scale litigation through to trial in multiple jurisdictions on any subject matter, particularly where managing teams, processes, voluminous documents and reputational risk is essential. She has particular experience in the highly regulated financial services sector and the public sector, having defended the Department of Defence, Multiplex, Westpac, Citibank, Colonial, Suncorp and NAB. Amanda has also worked in both Australia and Hong Kong, and has a passion for supporting the people around her through formal mentoring, development and welfare activities.

Andrew Moore

Andrew has worked in the insurance sector since 2010 when he joined the Auckland team. Andrew has completed secondments with three international insurers assisting their Contracts, Outsourcing and Data Protection team and their claims teams respectively. Andrew specialises in first party losses advising local and international insurers and reinsurers on complex indemnity disputes in New Zealand and the South Pacific including Fiji. He also regularly advises on subrogated recoveries. Andrew has been recognised as a ‘Next Generation Lawyer’ by The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific since 2016, an ‘Up and Coming’ individual in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022 and was named in the inaugural NZ Lawyer Rising Stars list for 2020.

Andrew Moore

Andrew is the Head of Financial Lines. He has acted for insurers and their insureds for over 25 years. He has a particular focus on directors and officers liability and professional indemnity claims. Due to Andrew’s track record coordinating and managing large-scale litigation, he is often asked to advise on complex and high-value disputes. His technical expertise and ability to be both strategic and hands-on ensures he delivers favourable outcomes for clients. Andrew has been recognised since 2012 as a leading insurance and malpractice lawyer in Australia by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500, Best Lawyers Australia and Doyles. Clients comment “he’s just technically excellent” and “he provides very strong technical advice and always makes himself available.” Andrew was a member of the National Committee of the Australian Professional Indemnity Group for 15 years and plays a key role in leading conversations on future challenges facing the insurance industry. He is regularly invited by clients to present on emerging trends in financial lines claims.

Antony Holden

Antony is the Managing Partner of Wotton + Kearney in New Zealand, a role that involves ensuring that the firm’s reputation for technical excellence and strong client relationships is demonstrated by every lawyer, every day. Antony acts for insurers, reinsurers and their clients on a wide range of insurance issues, with experience in New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Great Britain and the Channel Islands. He specialises in professional liability, directors + officers liability, contract works + construction, public and product liability, and first party property claims. Antony has defended insurers in high-profile D&O claims following the collapse of Nathans Finance and Hanover Finance. He and his team are also known for having had major wins for insurers in New Zealand’s highest Courts on high-profile and precedent-setting cases. Antony has led the response of a number of global insurers, reinsurers and Lloyd’s syndicates to the Canterbury and Kaikoura earthquakes. This has included disputes about insurers’ allocation and re-allocation of losses between earthquake events. Admitted in England and Wales as well as New Zealand, Antony is highly regarded by his colleagues and clients, and is a regular speaker at industry events. Antony has been recognised by his peers and clients as a: Hall of Fame for Insurance in New Zealand – The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, 2016-2022 Ranked lawyer for Insurance in New Zealand – Chambers & Partners, 2016-2022 Finalist for “Managing Partner of the Year” – New Zealand Law Awards 2016, 2017 and 2018

Cain Jackson

Cain is the Managing Partner of Clients + Markets. He has a particular focus on high value, complex D&O, professional indemnity and financial institutions coverage and defence work. Large multi-national insurers, the Lloyd’s insurance market and ASX-listed financial services groups engage Cain for his concise, commercial and strategic advice. He has been described by industry commentators as “one of the most impressive people” operating within the insurance industry who also praise the way he handles D&O, liability and professional indemnity issues and his “huge involvement in class action matters.” Cain has acted in many high-profile class actions, including TPT v Myer, the first securities class action to run to judgement in Australia. He is currently retained by primary insurers to advise on some of Australia’s largest securities class actions as well as acting in a defence or coverage role in numerous high-profile directors and officers and professional indemnity claims.

Caroline Laband

Caroline has extensive experience in handling contentious insurance issues. She regularly assists insurers with complex material damage and business interruption claims and has acted in a number of landmark material damage proceedings up to Supreme Court level. She is also experienced in policy drafting and has led major policy wording projects for insurers across the whole suite of insurance and reinsurance policies. Caroline has a reputation for being able to help insurers, brokers and insured corporations navigate their way through complex disputes. She has local and international experience, having worked in New Zealand and the United Kingdom in matters involving both litigation to Supreme Court level and arbitration. Caroline is ranked a leading individual for insurance law in New Zealand by The Legal 500 and a Band 2 individual for insurance by Chambers & Partners, with one client commenting: “She is a highly respected insurance lawyer with a deep understanding of critical issues.” She was also named by NZ Lawyer and Insurance Business NZ as a 5-Star Award winner, recognising the 12 highest-ranking insurance lawyers in New Zealand.

Charles Simon

Charles is the Managing Partner of Casualty + Operations. He also works with local and international insurers and syndicates in general liability, personal injury, workers liability/recovery, property damage and coverage issues. He is recognised for his ability to manage technical and highly sensitive claims and is acknowledged as a leader by various insurers in navigating emerging risks in amateur and professional sport. His representation of a building contractor in a successful appeal to the High Court is the leading authority in Australia on duties owed by head contractors and sub-contractors on construction sites. Charles has a reputation for taking a client-focused, pragmatic approach to resolving claims. He is a keen proponent of alternative dispute resolution processes and clients praise his ability to negotiate settlements on favourable terms without recourse to litigation. Charles is a member of the firm’s board. He is currently honorary counsel to the Australian sub-group of the Lloyd’s Market Association’s Binding Authority Strategic Claims Group.

Cheryl Phillips

Cheryl has broad insurance law experience and is highly regarded for her expertise in large personal injury claims (including defending ReturnToWorkSA recovery claims), complex liability claims, CTP and dust diseases litigation. She also has expertise in product liability claims, life insurance and sensitive claims. Cheryl is known for her ability to achieve cost-effective resolutions in matters that range from volume personal injury and product liability claims through to catastrophic injury and other significant claims involving complex causation and apportionment issues. She has been listed in Best Lawyers Australia (Insurance) since 2010.

David Kearney

David Kearney co-founded the firm in 2002. The vision then was to be the pre-eminent insurance law firm in Australasia and whilst W+K has moved into aligned markets, the firm remains on track to achieve that goal. As W+K’s CEP, he leads the firm in its response to transforming insurance and legal services industries. He practised insurance law for over 25 years in most classes of commercial insurance. Recognised internationally for his expertise, David has been ranked as the only Eminent Practitioner in insurance law in Australia by Chambers Asia Pacific since 2016. The Legal 500 Asia Pacific has consistently rated David as a Leading Individual and Insurance Business Magazine has again included David in its highly regarded annual “Hot List” of key influencers in the sector. David is passionate about continuing W+K’s development as a successful legal business. In 2019, he engineered the firm’s move to a corporate structure, mindful of the investment required to succeed in a transforming market for legal services. In 2022, he led a partial sale of the business to private equity firm Straight Bat, a first for legal services in this region. Apart from the success of the firm he co-founded, David is most proud of the quality of talent which has progressed through the business to partial ownership, and of W+K’s Pro Bono and Responsible Business Program, Community Footprint.

Georgie Austin

Georgie is an experienced litigator who specialises in general commercial and media litigation, including acting for major commercial and media clients as well as the Victorian Government. She works closely with clients to protect their legal, commercial, and reputational interests and is well-regarded for her ability to project manage complex and large-scale disputes and to support clients throughout sensitive and high-profile matters. Georgie has acted in many high-profile defamation cases, including for Rebel Wilson and Grant Denyer. She provides pre-publication advice to clients including Channel 7 Melbourne, The Conversation Media Group and JAM TV Australia, as well as advising and representing clients in defamation and contempt matters. She has extensive experience in Royal Commissions, investigations and inquiries, including having acted in the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants (‘Lawyer X’), the Royal Commission into Family Violence, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations, and the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. Georgie also provides advice on sports law matters for clients including the AFL, directors of the AFL and other sporting clubs, and Gymnastics Victoria. Georgie has served on several community and not-for-profit boards, most recently as a director of Gymnastics Victoria.

Hugh King

Hugh acts for insurers and their insureds across various sectors, with a focus on indemnity advice, professional liability and disciplinary, directors and officers and construction claims. He is a former Judges’ Clerk to the High Court at Auckland and has previously worked as a civil litigator for law firms in New Zealand and Australia. Hugh has undertaken post-graduate studies in law at the University of Toronto and New York University.

Kieran Doyle

Kieran is the Head of Cyber + Technology. He is often the first person our local and London-based clients turn to following a cyber-attack. Kieran helps clients respond to complex cyber incidents, including matters that involve highly sensitive breaches and cyber-attacks, some of which have been widely described as “crippling” and the “most significant in Australian corporate history”. His work spans assessing and monitoring incidents, setting up and managing data breach response vendor teams, and managing cyber claims across a wide range of incidents from ransomware attacks to email compromises. As part of the cyber practice, Kieran advises on federal and state privacy law compliance and compulsory notifications. He also acts as a cyber breach lawyer for first and third party cyber risks, including defending claims against businesses and government agencies resulting from a breach. More broadly, Kieran defends IT managed service providers in professional liability matters, many of which involve cyber incidents. Kieran also has one of the largest cyber coverage practices in the market, advising insurers on the most important and significant incidents in Australia. Kieran’s work often involves incidents affecting multiple jurisdictions (including GDPR issues) and works closely with his Legalign Global colleagues. In this global role, Kieran is an active contributor to thought leadership in Australia and takes part in global panels and seminars.

Mathew Francis

Mathew specialises in professional negligence and disciplinary proceedings for a wide range of professionals, including solicitors, valuers, construction professionals, and brokers. He also has significant experience in product and general liability matters, ISR (plant and heavy auto), defamation, and subrogated recoveries. He often advises on complex indemnity disputes and has acted in litigated indemnity claims under Property, Political Risk, FI, Bond, PI and GL policies. He was involved in a number of complex multi-jurisdictional Directors & Officers and financial institution (liability and bond) indemnity claims arising out of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. Spending a significant period working in the UK, Mathew is well acquainted with London market practices, including excess layer, facultative and captive arrangements. Mathew has been ranked as a ‘Leading Individual’ by The Asia-Pacific Legal 500 since 2017, and a ‘recognised practitioner’ by Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific, since 2018. He is admitted to practice in New Zealand and England & Wales.

Matthew Booth

Matt acts for insurers and their clients across a range of practice areas including material damage, business interruption, general liability, professional indemnity, and statutory liability. Matt has extensive experience in the construction and property sectors having been heavily involved in the complex issues arising out of the defective repair of homes damaged by the Christchurch earthquakes, including insurers’ responsibility for this damage and recovery against responsible builders, contractors, and project managers. Matt has handled the leading cases in this area and regularly appears in the District Court, High Court, Canterbury Earthquake Insurance Tribunal, and in mediations and judicial settlement conferences. In addition, Matt helps insureds defend charges laid under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Resource Management Act 1991. He also acts in disciplinary proceedings against professionals such as solicitors, accountants, builders, and electricians. Matt regularly handles subrogated recoveries for insurers. Matt has been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in the Asia Pacific Legal 500 2021 insurance rankings and was named in the inaugural NZ Lawyer Rising Stars list for 2020.

Misha Henaghan

Misha advises and acts for insurers and their insureds clients with a focus on liability claims – general liability, construction liability, third party property claims, and product liability. Misha is an experienced civil litigator who regularly represents insureds in litigated and contentious claims across a wide range of sectors. She is particularly known for her work in the construction sector and in the health and life science sector (utilising her science degree). She also regularly represents insureds in regulatory and disciplinary investigations and proceedings and assists insures with coronial inquiries and complaints. Misha is ranked by Chambers & Partner as an Up-and-Coming individual for insurance law in New Zealand and as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific.

Naraya Lamart

Naraya leads W+K’s Marine and Transport team and is known for her astute commercial advice in shipping and transport matters. Her experience spans casualty crisis management, ship arrests, judicial sales of vessels, cargo claims, marine insurance advisory work, logistics and chain of responsibility advisory work, and charterparty litigation and negotiation. Naraya also advises on cross-border transactions (including Incoterms, sales contracts and world trade and sanctions issues) and insolvency in a shipping context. More broadly, Naraya advises on construction and property disputes, including disputes relating to delay claims, modifications, acceleration, defects and security for payments adjudications. Naraya is an author of the Australian chapter in The Legal 500: Shipping Country Comparative Guide, 2nd edition.

Peter Leman

Peter is an insurance litigator who is particularly known for advising on complex coverage disputes in both property and liability claims. In recent years, this has included novel claims involving liability for defective repair of earthquake damage. Peter also has a strong interest in defending professional indemnity claims against engineers. Peter is ranked as a leading individual for insurance law in New Zealand by The Legal 500 and a Band 2 individual for insurance by Chambers & Partners, with one source commenting: “Peter’s level of knowledge is a real asset to the insurance industry. He is always a reliable source when seeking advice pertaining to the application of the law in this space.”

Rebecca Scott

Rebecca advises on professional liability and employment law claims and disputes. Her professional liability experience is extremely varied, having advised on a broad range of claims and disciplinary complaints against professionals, including engineers, solicitors and accountants. She also has expertise in coverage issues, particularly with employment practices liability and professional indemnity, but also public and product liability and property insurance. In her employment practice, Rebecca handles personal grievances, manages bullying and disciplinary investigations, and advises on employment processes. Approachable and responsive, Rebecca is recognised in the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ providing “cost-effective, sound strategic advice”. Focused on the issues that matter to clients, she achieves effective and efficient outcomes, including through mediation. She has also been recognised as a leading lawyer for insurance law by The Best Lawyers in New Zealand 2022 and 2021. A committed pro bono and CSR advocate, Rebecca is a member of the CSR Committee of Wotton + Kearney’s Auckland office. She is admitted to practice in England and Wales, as well as New Zealand.

Richard Leder

Richard Leder OAM is the Head of Commercial Litigation. He is a market-recognised leader in commercial litigation, personal injury, and defamation litigation and dispute resolution. He acts in many complex personal injury matters, including for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and other institutions in historic sexual abuse claims. Richard is considered one of Australia’s leading specialists in media law and defamation. He has acted in many high-profile defamation cases, including for Rebel Wilson and Grant Denyer. He has advised Channel 7 Melbourne for the past 30 years and is also the longstanding advisor to The Conversation Media Group and The Big Issue. Richard has worked across several Royal Commissions and inquiries into historical sexual abuse, mental health, aged care quality and, more recently, the police handling of the Lawyer X case. More broadly, Richard is a seasoned commercial litigator and has acted for many leading Australian corporates. He is also an experienced negotiator with an impressive track record in assisting clients to avoid costly litigation. Richard was awarded a medal in the Order of Australia in 2019 for his contribution to the community, including his involvement with the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. He sits on a number of community and NFP boards as part of his willingness to give back to the community and is passionate about his pro bono work.

Richard Flinn

Richard acts for insurers and their clients on a variety of insurance disputes, with a focus on professional indemnity and management liability, including statutory liability and environmental impairment claims. Richard has specific experience in the construction, agricultural and healthcare sectors. An advocate for alternative dispute resolution, Richard believes strongly in proactive and constructive litigation management to achieve commercial and efficient outcomes for his clients. In addition to his experience in the civil and criminal jurisdictions, Richard has significant experience acting in disciplinary proceedings against professionals such as healthcare providers, engineers, real estate agents and solicitors. Richard also handles a number of significant subrogated recoveries for insurers. Richard has been recognised as in the Asia-Pacific Legal 500 2021 as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ .

Shane Swinerd

Shane is experienced advising on material damage, business interruption and general liability matters, including litigation arising from the Canterbury and Kaikoura earthquakes. He regularly appears in the District Court, High Court, Canterbury Earthquake Insurance Tribunal, and in mediations and judicial settlement conferences. He also advises on compliance, fire and general, public and product liability, and statutory liability matters. He is recognised as an effective advocate with a particular specialty in negotiating and/or mediating successful outcomes. Clients praise his ability to collaborate with their businesses, distil issues, and provide digestible, pragmatic and commercial advice that is easily understood by all. Shane has been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in the Asia Pacific Legal 500 2021 insurance rankings and was named in the inaugural NZ Lawyer Rising Stars list for 2020. He was also a finalist for Young Private Practitioner of the Year in NZ Lawyer for 2020.

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