Gilchrist Connell promotes in four offices

National specialist insurance law firm Gilchrist Connell acknowledges its exceptional talent with the announcement of six internal promotions.

The promotions of Samantha Hocking and Jamie Ling, both based in Adelaide, and Marini Mann, based in Melbourne, to Special Counsel – adds further depth to Gilchrist Connell’s existing pool of experienced senior lawyers.

Samantha, Jamie and Marini’s promotions recognise  their strong, successful leadership and clear commitment to Gilchrist Connell’s core value of outstanding client service delivery.

Samantha Hocking has been a Senior Associate with Gilchrist Connell since its inception in 2008. She has practiced across all areas of insurance law, in both a litigious and advisory capacity, and has a particular interest in medical malpractice and professional indemnity claims.

Jamie Ling was admitted to practice as a solicitor in  2000. Prior to joining Gilchrist Connell he worked for a mutual liability riskpool created by New Zealand local authorities, and for a specialist underwriting agency in the United Kingdom. Jamie’s current practice includes defending public and products liability claims and professional indemnity claims. Jamie is experienced and has a particular interest in providing coverage advice and defending indemnity disputes.

Marini Mann was admitted to practice in 2006 and specialises in insurance litigation with a focus on professional indemnity, public and products liability, personal injury, coronial matters and risk management advice. She has extensive experience providing coverage and indemnity advice as well as regularly presenting seminars and workshops on a range of risk management areas. Marini holds a Master of Laws (University of Melbourne) with a focus on advanced litigation and dispute resolution. Her practice is to promote the interests of her clients by identifying the best strategy for managing a dispute in an efficient and practical way.

The firm’s senior ranks are further strengthened by the announcement of three promotions to Senior Associate; Lisa Collins in Sydney, and Bradley Baker and James Duffy based in Perth.

Lisa’s career has had tremendous momentum since her admission in 2012. Experienced in all aspects of civil litigation, she is a meticulous, confident and convincing advocate, and her practice includes many multi-party, complex claims for sophisticated clients worth significant monetary sums. Lisa practices in all areas of insurance with a particular passion for professional negligence claims. She is the current President of the Young Insurance Professionals (YIPs) NSW Committee, a not-for- profit insurance industry organisation, and was a finalist in Lawyers Weekly 2016 ‘30 under 30’ in the Insurance Category.

Bradley Baker joined Gilchrist Connell in 2011 and brings to his insurance work a previous background in commercial legal work, including advising on mining, resources and gas project structures and associated risks, review and administration in relation to joint ventures, sale and purchase agreements, and assisting with corporate fund raising and the Australian Stock Exchange listing of a variety of companies. He is also a proficient Japanese speaker, having lived and worked in Japan.

James Duffy joined Gilchrist Connell in 2013 and has practised exclusively in insurance and financial litigation since admission, having previously worked in a financial litigation firm in London. James has worked for national private insurers and for WA’s public services insurer. His experience includes advising on complex indemnity issues and in acting in high value, multi-party disputes.

Managing Principal Richard Wood said, “Recognising and rewarding the talent of our existing team members by way of promotion is top of the list of real pleasures any Managing Partner gets from running a law firm these days. Samantha, Jamie, Marini, Lisa, Brad and James are all extremely talented and dedicated professionals with a deep understanding of the insurance industry and the expectations of our clients within that industry. Their promotion recognises their contribution to the firm to date and is hopefully just the next step in their respective careers with us.”

Gilchrist Connell is a dedicated insurance law and defendant-side litigation law firm which operates throughout Australia from offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

For further information or  an interview, please contact:

Richard Wood, Managing Principal, Adelaide Office

T: (08) 8215 7001

M: 0403 069 807

Member of The Harmonie Group An international network of independent law firms.

 

                  

© Gilchrist Connell 2023

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