Hall & Wilcox appoints seven new partners, as part of a record 60 promotions
Hall & Wilcox has announced a record 60 promotions, including appointing seven new partners, reflecting the firm’s commitment to clients and strong growth over the past year.
In addition to the partner promotions, the firm has promoted 17 special counsel and 27 senior associates, and has made nine senior corporate services promotions.
Outgoing Managing Partner Tony Macvean, who finishes his 17-year term in the role on 30 June, said that the 60 promotions highlighted the firm’s focus on delivering value for clients, as well as developing and rewarding its people.
‘Client service and experience is our highest priority. This is the largest number of promotions we’ve ever had. This is testament to our continued national growth, backed by our strong relationships with clients and the great experience we provide them,’ he said.
Tony also noted that the appointment of the new partners meant the firm had achieved its target of minimum 40% female representation in the partnership by 2025.
As at 1 July, the firm will have approximately 1150 people, including 145 partners, spread across eight offices. These promotions are in addition to the almost 30 lateral partners and senior lawyers appointed over the past year. This included Brisbane-based boutique specialist investment funds firm McMahon Clarke joining Hall & Wilcox in November last year.
Chief Executive Partner elect Graydon Dowd said the promotions reflected the bright future for the firm and its people.
‘These appointments reflect the strength and growth of our national commercial and insurance practices, particularly in our growing markets. I congratulate our new partners, all of whom are very impressive practitioners who live the firm’s values.’
Get to know our new partners and senior lawyers.
New partners
Melinda Andrew is an experienced defendant insurance litigator who helps insurers manage CTP personal injury claims in NSW involving complex liability, quantum, statutory benefits and administrative law issues before the NSW Personal Injury Commission, District and Supreme Courts. Melinda is primarily based in Newcastle.
Erin Brown is a succession planning specialist who regularly advises privately held businesses, high net worth individuals and family groups in relation to their individual and business succession planning. Erin also has significant experience in corporate law and advises clients in relation to asset protection, corporate and business structuring and trusts. Erin is primarily based in Newcastle.
Angie Gimisis is an experienced insurance recovery litigator, with extensive experience acting as trial counsel in the Magistrates Court of Western Australia. Her experience includes working on small and large property damage claims arising from fire, water or machinery and equipment. Having managed a high volume of both defended and recovery files, she has a proven record in being able to manage litigation in WA and NT. Angie is a tenacious advocate for her clients and approaches her cases with a tireless work ethic and unyielding commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. Angie is primarily based in Perth.
Seun Idowu is an insurance litigator and health law specialist, working across the NSW and ACT jurisdictions. She has expertise in coronial investigations and civil claims in the health, correctional/custodial, community, aged care and disability sectors and assists a range of domestic and international insurer clients, as well as private hospital/health facilities, individual doctors and nurses. Seun is primarily based in Sydney.
Clare Kerley is an employment and safety law specialist, working across the full range of workplace and industrial relations, HR and work health safety matters, providing commercial advice and acting in litigated matters. Her clients are employers from a broad range of industries, including government, manufacturing, construction, retail, financial services, insurance, recruitment and maritime. Clare is primarily based in Sydney.
Tina Lung is an experienced insurance litigator, specialising in the defence of personal injury claims on behalf of international and domestic insurers, and self-insured corporates and associations. She advises on critical incident response, formal investigations and coronial inquiries. She works with a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on construction, sports and leisure, and hospitality and security sectors. Tina is a staunch advocate for her clients and is trusted for her technical, highly strategic and commercially astute advice. Tina is primarily based in Sydney.
Hannah Peddie is an insurance litigator with a particular focus on claims and risk. She focuses on liability in Queensland, both at common law and under Queensland legislation, common law property and economic loss claims. Hannah is primarily based in Brisbane.
New special counsel
Ben Clarke (CTP and workers compensation insurance, Perth), Bianca McCormack (litigation and dispute resolution, Melbourne), Candice Carrasco (workers’ compensation insurance, Melbourne), Courtney Daunt (personal injury and property liability insurance, Brisbane), Ella Simmons (social infrastructure property, planning and construction, Melbourne), Hilary Lee (personal injury and professional negligence insurance, Sydney), Holly Turner (personal injury and Work Health and Safety insurance, Sydney), Laura D’Amico (public liability, personal injury and property damage insurance, Adelaide), Megan Cramp (workers’ compensation insurance, Perth), Melissa Plavsic (fraud, construction and property damage insurance, Melbourne), Mona Sukkar (investment funds and financial services, Melbourne), Nhu-Thuy Dinh (employment, Melbourne), Nicholas Simpson (property damage, public liability and professional indemnity insurance, Sydney), Peta Rapson (workers’ compensation insurance, Perth), Rachel Morgan (public liability insurance, Sydney), Stacey Marino (workers’ compensation insurance, Peth), Todd Bromwich (tax, Sydney).
New senior associates
Anna Prentice (litigation and dispute resolution, Perth), Bonnie Wynne (insurance, Sydney), Bradley White (tax, Melbourne), Bryanna Ross (workers’ compensation insurance, Perth), Chalani Sundquist (workers’ compensation insurance, Perth), Christopher Macmillan (insurance, Newcastle), Claire Bourke (workers’ compensation insurance, Perth), Eleanor Hall (property and projects, Melbourne), Gus Hu (insurance, Brisbane), Harvey Duckett (litigation and dispute resolution, Melbourne), Holly Gretton (employment, Perth), Jemima Whiteman (insurance, Brisbane), Jennifer Andrews (litigation and dispute resolution, Newcastle), Jordon Lee (employment, Melbourne), Katelyn Cant (insurance, Newcastle), Kirralee Pavy (workers’ compensation insurance, Perth), Matthew Capannolo (insurance, Melbourne), Matt Dolan (property and projects, Brisbane), Matthew Hafer (insurance, Adelaide), Michael Maconochie (litigation and dispute resolution, Brisbane), Mikaela Bensley (property and projects, Newcastle), Robert Porter (insurance, Brisbane), Sarah Wade (insurance, Melbourne), Sheldon Fu (property and projects, Melbourne), Tammy Tang (insurance, Brisbane), Tess Ramadge (insurance, Melbourne), Tia Cooper (insurance, Melbourne).
Senior corporate services promotions
Shan Ganeshan (IT Infrastructure Manager), Rob Hum (Facilities Manager), Scott Juza (Head of Workspace), Claire Kliendienst (Senior People & Culture Advisor), Jacob Lewis (Senior Events Advisor), Grace Medcraft (Senior Digital Marketing Advisor), Jana Rehlecka (Senior Bids & Pursuits Advisor), Jodi Steer (Office Manager, Adelaide), Maggi Stevens (Senior Technology Trainer).
Hall & Wilcox is a leading independent law firm. We have more than 1150 people, including 145 partners, working across eight offices. We build partnerships with and service corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia.
Learn more about our senior appointments and promotions