Department profile
Clayton Utz

Insurance: Policyholder

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Australia

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Clayton Utz

Rankings

About

Provided by Clayton Utz

As the foremost policyholder-centric insurance practice in Australia, Clayton Utz consistently provides legal counsel on high-end, complex insurance, litigation, and risk matters. Who offer a holistic service encompassing both contentious and non-contentious facets, that is backed by unparalleled technical proficiency in insurance and reinsurance law as well as risk management. Their portfolio spans numerous sectors, from product distribution and broker outsourcing agreements to policy coverage disputes across multiple lines of business. They have longstanding advisory history for corporate insurers, professional bodies, brokers, and governmental entities includes ASX-listed companies, multinational corporations, Commonwealth and State Government agencies, as well as one of the nation's largest financial institutions, including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Industries (4)

  • Government
  • Banking and Financial Institutions
  • Energy
  • Infrastructure

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Insurance: Policyholder - Australia

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Clayton Utz's highly commended team acts for a diverse range of high-profile policyholders, including major banks, corporates and government bodies. The insurance team offers expertise across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious issues, including professional indemnity, product liability and cyber risk. The law firm handles matters relating to regulatory compliance and insurance product development as well as providing advice on alternative risk transfer and reinsurance. Clayton Utz's contentious practice encompasses, in addition to advice on coverage disputes and claims resolutions, a strong capability for the handling of large-scale customer remediation and compensation issues for leading financial services providers. It also advises extensively on class action-related insurance recovery mandates for both corporate defendants and individual executives.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Clayton Utz acted for Brisbane Airport Corporation in Supreme Court of Queensland litigation against Airservices Australia and AIG Australia to recover actual and projected costs of dealing with PFAS contamination at Brisbane Airport.

  • Clayton Utz advised the Suburban Rail Loop Authority in relation to commercial and strategic aspects of its insurance program.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Clayton Utz provides good communication and engagement between the firm, the insured and broker to ensure the ultimate advice is valuable and actionable.

    Insurance: Policyholder respondentAsia-Pacific

  • Clayton Utz brings strength in insurance and financial services law, offering strategic insight into regulatory compliance, cyber risk and directors' liability.

    Insurance: Policyholder respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Fred Hawke
    Fred Hawke

    Fred Hawke

    Fred Hawke is a highly respected, veteran insurance practitioner who continues to advise across a comprehensive range of practice area issues from the Melbourne office.

    • Fred Hawke is very well respected.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • David Gerber
    David Gerber

    David Gerber

    David Gerber operates across the full insurance spectrum, acting for both insurers and policyholders and also advising state and Commonwealth government agencies on a variety of issues. He is particularly focused on the financial lines market and often assists on policy reviews.

    • David is everything and more that you could ask for in your external lawyers. He provides great insights, industry knowledge and he's very responsive.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentAsia-Pacific

    • David Gerber provides very good technical legal advice in a proper commercial context.

      Insurance: Policyholder respondentAsia-Pacific
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Ranked Individuals at Clayton Utz (2)

Australia

Members

Provided by Clayton Utz

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