Insurance Defence
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 8273 9900About
Provided by Wotton + Kearney
Wotton + Kearney is a market-recognised leader in insurance law and dispute resolution in Australia with 53 partners and over 280 lawyers in total across offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
Our leadership is evidenced by the calibre of our clients, the nature of our instructions and our market accolades, including being named as a Band 1 firm in Australia by Chambers for 11 consecutive years.
We are the ‘go to’ firm in Australia for the majority of global and London market insurers, as well as local brokers and corporate insureds. We are on the legal panels for most of the major local and Lloyd’s market participants doing business in Australia.
W+K is highly regarded in Australia for general liability, financial lines (including class actions, D&O and professional indemnity) and complex property, construction and energy claims. We also have specialist practices in cyber/privacy, health, employment and workplace, product liability, marine and transport, and subrogated recoveries.
To celebrate our 20th anniversary this year W+K launched its 20 Actions for 20 Years Project, which promises to create a lasting legacy in the areas that its people think are most important today – reduced inequality, climate action, mental health and wellness, and social justice.
We also provide global services for insurers and their global clients through our Legalign Global alliance of five of the world’s leading insurance law firms.
Chambers Review
Wotton + Kearney is a well-regarded insurance powerhouse acting for major insurers on big-ticket disputes, including public and product liability, financial lines and professional indemnity matters. The team is experienced in claims involving the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors, among others. The firm possesses an impressive trans-Tasman footprint, maintaining six offices across Australia and New Zealand, augmented by access to overseas markets, including those in London and Europe and across Asia, through an alliance with other specialist firms. The insurance team is active in such specialist areas as subrogated recoveries, cyber risk, class actions and medical malpractice, and especially noted for its niche expertise concerning the impact of insurance-related issues on the entertainment, leisure and sports sectors. Its key clients include AIG and AXA XL.
Work Highlights
- Wotton + Kearney acted for Halifax Vogel Group in class action proceedings brought by an applicant and group members against cladding manufacturer 3A Composites and supplier Halifax Vogel Group in the Federal Court.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Good market relations on both sides of most matters mean they are well placed to consider what might occur down the track and only take points worth taking."
"The experience, depth and breadth of Wotton + Kearney's team is second to none."
"Good market relations on both sides of most matters mean they are well placed to consider what might occur down the track and only take points worth taking."
"The experience, depth and breadth of Wotton + Kearney's team is second to none."
Notable Practitioners
David Kearney is the firm's co-founder and CEO and commands great market respect. He continues to oversee the operations of the firm's Australian and New Zealand operations from the Sydney office, drawing on the experience acquired in over 25 years' practice in the commercial insurance space.
"David is a well-known and successful practitioner in the space."
"He is well respected in the industry."
Cain Jackson is based in Melbourne and is noted for his representation of leading financial services providers and other clients in class actions, D&O liability and other professional indemnity issues.
"He is really good, particularly in the D&O space."
Andrew Moore is based in Sydney and focuses on insurance defence issues, including D&O and professional indemnity matters and environmental liability issues, often acting for construction, engineering or financial services sector clients.
"Andrew is incredibly smart, both on coverage advice and defence strategy after cover has been granted. He is also really good at managing tricky clients. An excellent lawyer all-round."
Adam Chylek commands widespread market recognition for his work in the insurance space, particularly where property-related matters are concerned. He is also noted for his experience in the handling of insurance issues arising from such natural disasters as the Christchurch earthquakes or Queensland floods.
Belinda Henningham acts extensively for both insurers and insureds in the defence of public and product liability claims of all sizes, her expertise extending across a comprehensive range of both personal injury and property damage issues.
"Belinda is a very good longstanding practitioner."
Ranked Lawyers at
Wotton + Kearney
Australia
Members
Provided by Wotton + Kearney
Catherine Power
Charles Simon
Paul Spezza
William Robinson
Clients
Provided by Wotton + Kearney
AIG
AXA XL
BHSI
Chubb Insurance
DUAL Australia
Liberty Specialty Markets
More than 20 London Underwriters (Lloyd’s of London)
Zurich
Industries
Provided by Wotton + Kearney
Construction & Infrastructure
Cyber & Technology
Energy, Mining & Power
Financial Institutions
Healthcare
Industrial & Commercial Property
Manufacturing & Consumer Goods
Marine & Transport
Professions & Business Services
Public Sector & Education
Retail & Labour Hire
Small Medium Enterprises
Sports, Leisure & Entertainment