Since day one, Richard has been managing principal of the firm. Under his stewardship and in response to client demand, Gilchrist Connell has grown exponentially from two small offices in 2008 to five offices and around 250 staff staff. Richard is also a highly effective defendant-side dispute resolution lawyer with three decades of experience in all aspects of insurance law from property damage and casualty to complex financial lines and D&O claims. His pragmatic approach enables clients to clearly assess their risks and options and to make fully informed decisions to bring their matters to either resolution or trial in the most direct and effective manner. Richard’s relationship with his longest standing clients goes back over decades and thousands of matters.
He is currently panel solicitor to:
- professional indemnity insurers acting for accountants, psychologists, conveyancers, land agents, lawyers, architects, valuers, certifiers and engineers
- property and casualty insurers acting in public liability, property damage, industrial accident, worker’s compensation recoveries and worker-to worker claims
- EPL and statutory liability insurers
His relationship with his main clients goes back 30 years..
A long-term client who has continued to work with Richard whilst at two major insurers, describes him as ‘highly valued’, achieving “one of the strongest relationships” and ‘excellent’ claims outcomes. Despite multiple, vigorous panel reviews at both insurers, ‘Gilchrist Connell has always been able to remain on the panel’.
Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific – Individually Ranked [Insurance], comments include: ‘excellent advice on a large matter’, Richard obtained a ‘good outcome’ in ‘difficult circumstances with demanding parties’.
Articles and Presentations
Richard Wood, Navigating uncharted terrain – the challenges before the Australian insurance industry – 2022 Best Lawyers in Australia
Presentation to insurers on physical or legal control exclusion November 2020
Presentation to insurers on the Uniform Civil Rules (SA) August 2020
Banking Royal Commission Final Report – What can we now expect? March 2019
Presentation to insurers on Insurance Contracts Act 1984(Cth) & interested parties, 2017
Presentation to insurers on Professional lines in Australia – recent developments, 2017
- Building reforms in NSW - A new duty of care and greater regulation of construction process
- Insurers – don’t trip down the pre-action steps in South Australia - Uniform Civil Rules 2020 (SA) – Action required by claims handlers for personal injury claims - Part 2
- Insurers – don’t trip on the pre-action steps in South Australia - the Uniform Civil Rules 2020 (SA) – Action required by insurance claims handlers - Part 1
- After hours conduct by intoxicated employee at staff function
- Finalist – Lawyers Weekly Managing Partner of the Year 2022
- Best Lawyers - Personal Injury Litigation 2023, 2024
- Best Lawyers - Legal Malpractice Litigation 2023, 2024
- Best Lawyers - Insurance Law 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Best Lawyers - Construction / Infrastructure Law 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Doyles Guide - Pre-eminent Leading Professional Indemnity Lawyers – South Australia, 2021, 2022
- Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year - Construction / Infrastructure Law 2021
- Doyle’s Guide – Professional Indemnity – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
- Doyle’s Guide – Public & Product Liability – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
- Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific – Individually Ranked [Insurance]
- Finalist – Lawyers Weekly Managing Partner of the Year 2017