The Legal 500

Clayton Utz is ‘always to-the-point and within time limits’. The eight-partner group primarily acts for policyholders, and has been advising on a number of issues arising from the Queensland floods. Key figures include group head Fred Hawke and Peter Mann.

HWL Ebsworth is ‘clearly a leader in medical malpractice and health law’, with ‘great knowledge of the industry, and the issues it faces’. The ‘very professional’ team includes Julian McGrath, who is advising various D&O insurers following the 1999 collapse of New Cap Reinsurance; Brit Mainhoff, who ‘knows everything about medical malpractice’; and Tim Griffiths, who has ‘sound knowledge’. Clients are also ‘particularly impressed’ with Kerrie Chambers, while the ‘very professional and knowledgeable’ Julie Hamblin.

Minter Ellison counts Zurich, Chubb, and Chartis as key clients, and recently added Guild Insurance, Transgrid, and Wesfarmers Insurance to the list. The team includes Peter Coats; Richard McQueen; ‘focused litigator’ Chern Tan; the ‘very capable’ Cameron Oxley and the ‘diligent’ Pamela Madafiglio.

Ashurst LLP provides ‘timely responses’ and ‘sound advice’, and has ‘very good knowledge’, particularly of medical indemnity. It acts for a various insurers (Allianz, Munich Re, Liberty Financial) and brokers (Willis and Marsh), as well as underwriting agents, financial planners, policyholders and regulators. Practice head Rehana Box is a leading name, and John Pavlakis is a ‘good strategic thinker’.

DLA Piper Australia’s 39-partner team is ‘rated highly’ for its ‘quality insurance regulatory lawyers’. It recently advised CGU on its acquisition of HBF’s insurance business. Samantha O’Brien, Michael Down, and the ‘up-and-coming’ Samantha Kelly are recommended.

Herbert Smith Freehills has a good reputation among corporate clients for high-stake insurance litigation, and the team of ‘truly trusted advisors’ has ‘exceptional breadth and depth of talent’. It is advising Ensham Resources in an insurance claim arising from the Queensland floods worth over A$500m; the case is proceeding to the Federal Courts. Michael Mills and Michelle Fox co-head the team, and Terry Brigden is noted for regulatory work.

King & Wood Mallesons’ 13-partner group acted for a US investment company on its acquisition of an APRA-regulated insurance group. Peter Stockdale and Philip Ward are highly recommended.

Norton Rose Australia is ‘clearly committed to the insurance industry’ and has a ‘broad client base’. The 14-partner group includes Nicole Wearne, an ‘emerging legal leader in insurance’ who is ‘tactically excellent’, and gives ‘succinct and to-the-point advice’. Tricia Hobson is a ‘leading insurance litigator’; she is defending the Australian underwriters of Willmott Forests against claims by investors in its managed investment schemes.

Allens recently lost former practice head John Edmond and a number of others to Clyde & Co LLP , but continues to advise both insurers and policyholders. John Morgan is recommended.

Colin Biggers & Paisley is an ‘expert in this field’, and recently merged with insurance boutique Monahan + Rowell as well as adding three lateral hires. Key partners include Mark Attard and Andrew Probert, who take a ‘commercial approach to handling claims’ and have ‘strong legal knowledge’, while Greg Skehan’s ‘dual expertise in insurance and construction is invaluable’.

Henry Davis York’s broad remit takes in life and general insurance, and reinsurance, under the leadership of Rebecca Whittle. John Martin takes a ‘commercial approach’, and special counsel Claire Machin is also recommended.

Moray & Agnew advises a broad range of clients on matters such as catastrophic claims, D&O liability, and professional indemnity. Anthony Scott and Peter Tredinnick are very well regarded.

Sparke Helmore’s practice is headed by Rhett Slocombe and has 20 partners. It is particularly well recognised for liability and casualty, professional indemnity, and catastrophic claims.

Wotton + Kearney is commended for its ‘excellent client focus’ and ‘superior technical knowledge’. Phillip Wotton and David Kearney both enjoy an ‘excellent reputation’.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s six-partner team is ‘attentive to clients’ and ‘adds valuable industry insight’. Julie Cameron is leading advice to Suncorp Group on the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry. Frank Lawson is ‘experienced and tenacious’.

Gadens Lawyers’ 14-partner practice is headed by Wendy Blacker, and includes Ray Giblett, who is ‘very knowledgeable about insurance and related commercial matters’.

Holman Fenwick Willan practice is led by Richard Jowett and includes Andrew Dunn and Peter Leslie. Clients include ACE, Chubb, Marsh, and Zurich Insurance.

Kennedys’ eight-partner group is led by Veronica Chapman, and counts ACE Group, Healthscope, and Swiss Re as clients. Rebekah Giles and Jennifer Bicknell are also recommended.

TressCox is particularly noted for professional indemnity and D&O insurance. Mark Sheller heads the practice.