Jennifer specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, with a focus on contract, consumer law, equity, debt recovery, government, real property and professional negligence. She advises clients across New South Wales, with a focus on Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter Region.
Jennifer is known for her pragmatic and commercially focused advice. She is an empathetic litigator whose approach is efficient, thoughtful and considered, ensuring practical outcomes for clients.
Jennifer was admitted to practise law in New South Wales in 2018 and in the High Court of Australia in 2019. Before joining Hall & Wilcox, she practised for three years at a Sydney firm specialising in aviation litigation. Prior to that role, Jennifer worked for three years as a paralegal and then graduate lawyer specialising in property law and leasing.
Experience
- Acted for two related commercial entities in a complex shareholder dispute which involved commencing proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court, Commercial List to obtain urgent ex-parte injunctive relief. The dispute involved complex cross‑jurisdictional issues and ultimately resolved through commercial negotiation.
- Acted for a NSW social housing provider in complex proceedings in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking, and successfully obtaining, termination orders of a social housing tenancy involving significant breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW). The dispute was ultimately resolved by agreement.
- Advised non-government schools in NSW on the complex application of section 83C of the Education Act 1990 (NSW) which regulates the financial operations of non-government schools to ensure they operate on a genuine not-for-profit basis in exchange for receiving government funding.
- Acted for the professional indemnity insurers of a design and construct subcontractor in a dispute regarding the construction of a large mixed-use development in Sydney. The dispute involved a claim by the head contractor against various subcontractors for damages arising from remedial works to allegedly defective concrete slabs. The case involved the preparation of complex technical evidence from a structural engineering expert as well as the prosecution of multiple cross-claims. The dispute was successfully resolved by a negotiated settlement following mediation.
- Acted for and successfully defended an insurance broker client in the NSW Supreme Court and the NSW Court of Appeal against a claim alleging the broker breached his professional duty of care when advising the Plaintiff on obtaining insurance cover: Flanagan v Bernasconi [2022] NSWSC 381; Flanagan v Bernasconi [2023] NSWCA 150.
- Acted for an owner/operator of recycled water infrastructure in a large-scale dispute with a structural engineering consultancy arising from defects in the design of wastewater recycling infrastructure at various sites across NSW. The case involved complex contractual relationships between the parties and the preparation of a complex expert delay analysis across all work sites. It also involved procuring highly technical structural engineering expert evidence, concerning the requirements of specific Australian Standards. The dispute was successfully resolved by a negotiated settlement.
- Acted for a commercial client based in regional NSW in relation to a 30-year lease with the NSW Government. Jennifer acted for the same client in relation to complex litigation in the Supreme Court of NSW regarding a dispute over a share-sale agreement and in defence of class 5 criminal proceedings commenced in the NSW Land and Environment Court.
- Acted for insurers and sophisticated commercial airlines and aviation operators in relation to regulatory matters and personal injury disputes across all national jurisdictions and property and leasing disputes, including airport leasing.
- Acted for and obtained a successful result for a regional airline operator in proceedings in the Federal Court and High Court of Australia concerning marine insurance issues: Swashplate Pty Ltd v Liberty Mutual Insurance Co t/as Liberty International Underwriters [2020 FCA 15]; Swashplate Pty Ltd v Liberty Mutual Insurance Company t/as Liberty International Underwriters [2020] FCAFC 137.
- Acted for helicopter operator in defence of a complex criminal prosecution and appeal commenced by Comcare concerning alleged breaches of the work health and safety legislation during helicopter operations in Antarctica: May v Commonwealth of Australia and Helicopter Resources Pty Ltd (No 1) [2019] ACTMC 20; May v Helicopter Resources; Commonwealth of Australia v May [2021] ACTSC 116.
Memberships
- Law Society of New South Wales
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