Insurance Defence | Asia-Pacific

The Clyde & Co team forms part of a market-leading insurance offering with global reach, represents an impressive list of well-known insurers and reinsurers, many of whom are clients of long standing, and covers a comprehensive range of insurance classes. The insurance team is regularly sought out to handle high-profile litigation as well as advisory work. Clyde & Co has substantial experience in shareholder class actions, professional indemnity and property-related matters. The firm has established expertise in the growing area of cyber liability and is also noted for its ability to assist on issues around licensing, regulation and compliance. Its key clients include Enstar Australia and Reeds Consulting.

Wotton + Kearney is a well-regarded insurance powerhouse acting for major insurers on big-ticket disputes, including public and product liability, financial lines and professional indemnity matters. The team is experienced in claims involving the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors, among others. The firm possesses an impressive trans-Tasman footprint, maintaining six offices across Australia and New Zealand, augmented by access to overseas markets, including those in London and Europe and across Asia, through an alliance with other specialist firms. The insurance team is active in such specialist areas as subrogated recoveries, cyber risk, class actions and medical malpractice, and especially noted for its niche expertise concerning the impact of insurance-related issues on the entertainment, leisure and sports sectors. Its key clients include AIG and AXA XL.

MinterEllison demonstrates a broad skill set across the whole gamut of insurance issues and on a truly nationwide basis. Its insurance team is routinely sought out by both insurer and policyholder clients to handle complex front-end work including corporate advisory, reinsurance and policy wordings. The team is equally adept in handling significant contentious claims, with particular strength in medical malpractice, product liability, regulatory compliance and asbestos claims. It has a focus on emerging risk classes such as warranty and indemnity insurance and cyber risk, and receives specific praise for its ability to service insurance-related class actions. The firm's clients include leading global insurers and a number of the largest businesses in Australia, some examples being Westpac General Insurance and Suncorp.

Hall & Wilcox acts for insurers, reinsurers, underwriters and self-insured corporations on contentious and non-contentious insurance matters, including policy wording, regulatory issues, claims recovery and settlement strategies. Its product lines include professional indemnity, management liability, general and product liability, workers' compensation, recoveries and accident and health. Hall & Wilcox also assists insurers on statutory insurance matters such as workers' compensation and compulsory third-party insurance.

DLA Piper has a full-service offering and is well placed to act across financial lines, construction, cyber and W&I claims. The team is also noted for its non-contentious capability, with experience advising on transactional and compliance matters, as well as pricing and insurance products. Its key clients include major insurers such as Suncorp and Swiss Re. The insurance team is also active in the insuretech space, representing venture capital firms and start-ups.

McCabes Lawyers acts for an impressive range of domestic and international insurers, brokers and advisers, including Lloyd's syndicates, across the full range of both short and long-tail issues. The insurance team is experienced in the superior court litigation of insurance disputes, but maintaining a preference for the adoption of alternative dispute resolution procedures where possible; the team also offers a comprehensive regulatory advisory service. Areas of particular expertise include motor vehicle accidents and other casualty cases, construction and engineering, professional lines and workers' compensation.

Mills Oakley demonstrates strong litigation capability, with expertise across a broad range of insurance lines including construction, marine, professional indemnity, D&O and medical. The firm is often retained by insurers such as Suncorp and Berkley Insurance Australia.

The Norton Rose Fulbright offering is a go-to practice for insurer clients, offering a comprehensive service, seamlessly coordinated with that of related practice groups where appropriate, and excellent cross-border capabilities. The firm is active in the class action and regulatory investigation and commission spaces. The team demonstrates extensive expertise in technology, healthcare and life sciences-related insurance issues. The firm is also acknowledged for its strong non-contentious practice, advising on new products, M&A and licensing. Its key clients include Airbnb and Open Insurance.