Colin Biggers & Paisley recognises talent with new round of promotions

With a firm belief in fostering talent and growth, Colin Biggers & Paisley is proud to announce the promotion of 13 lawyers to senior positions, including Tim Coghlan to partner in the insurance practice. The promotions reinforce the firm's commitment to sustained growth and building its profile, particularly within its industries of focus, including insurance, property, transport and logistics, education, aged care, faith-based enterprises and construction.

Nick Crennan, Managing Partner Colin Biggers & Paisley commented:

"We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding talent and achievements of the newly promoted lawyers at Colin Biggers & Paisley. I extend my congratulations to all of our promoted lawyers on this well-deserved acknowledgment of their contribution to our clients and our practice,"

Effective 1 July 2023, Tim Coghlan will be promoted to partner and Ben Bemand, Kyle Berger, Lois Bullen, Krystal Cunningham-Foran, Alex Doddridge, John Georgas, Hannah Goodman, Dilusha Jayasekara, Demi McGowan, Fred Mitri, Katherine Riley and Victoria Skeats to senior associate.

"In this round, we have promoted nine lawyers within our insurance practice, recognising its importance and our commitment to building our presence and supporting our clients in this industry," Mr Crennan added.

Tim has extensive experience working in insurance and commercial litigation for some of Australia's largest insurers and has acted in numerous public liability, product liability and property damage matters. He has practical experience in litigation including advising on claims brought against local councils, residential home owners, building companies, supermarkets, shopping centres, hospitals, owners of commercial premises, exhibition centres, logistics companies and retail stores. Tim also has significant experience in workers' compensation claims.

Ben has experience acting in large-scale litigation and complex matters involving corporate collapses, class actions, insurance, copyright, and competition (antitrust). Ben has degrees in Law and Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Wollongong.

Kyle's practice focuses on construction and commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution. His experience acting for corporate developers, contractors, and individuals is broad and extends across complex litigation, adjudication, expert determination, and mediation. Kyle also regularly provides advice with respect to contract administration and statutory obligations.

Lois has expertise in restructuring, insolvency, and commercial litigation. Lois has significant experience and understanding of the restructuring and insolvency landscape and has a proven track record in providing tailored advice for insolvency practitioners, secured creditors and company directors in relation to disputes under the Corporations Act.

Krystal works with local government and private clients in relation to planning, government, infrastructure and environment law issues and disputes. She provides legal advice in relation to complex planning and infrastructure law issues, local government delegations, and land acquisition.

Alex's practice focuses largely on professional indemnity and general liability claims. She represents professionals in large-scale and small claim matters across a range of industries, including legal, healthcare, real estate, engineering, architecture and construction. Alex's practice also extends to complex civil litigation involving directors' duties and managed investment schemes, and advising clients about coverage issues, contractual indemnity, dust disease injuries and worker's compensation claims.

John's practice focuses on insurance litigation, acting for clients in a range of disputes and coverage related instructions in the financial services and construction industries. John regularly acts as defence counsel for professionals and also provides coverage advice to local and international insurers, on directors' and officers' insurance, professional indemnity insurance and construction risk.

Hannah's practice is based in the professional indemnity insurance space, providing both defence and coverage assistance in disputes involving a broad range of professionals. Hannah provides advice and manages litigation for a wide range of leading Australian insurers as well as the London market.

Dilusha has experience in insurance litigation, including product liability, general liability and compensation claims. She has experience working across a variety of claims, including those made under the provisions of the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic), the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic), and the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic).

Demi has experience defending personal injury claims for national and international insurers involving public liability, product liability issues, workers' recovery and professional indemnity, and has also advised on indemnity and coverage disputes. She has acted for a range of insureds, including residential and commercial occupiers, manufacturers, cleaners and construction contractors, and has acted in the defence of multi- party disputes in the New South Wales District and Supreme Courts.

Fred has eight years of experience acting for plaintiffs and insurers across public liability, property damage, professional indemnity, workers' compensation and motor vehicle accident claims. He has defended numerous claims for and on behalf of occupiers, commercial building owners, principal contractors, subcontractors and property developers within NSW, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT.

Katherine practices in construction dispute resolution, including litigation, expert determination, and security of payments adjudication, as well as project delivery, and front end including contract drafting and negotiation. Katherine has experience in a wide range of projects including road, rail, renewables, water treatment, and high-rise residential and commercial buildings.

Victoria has experience managing litigated claims in the County and Supreme Court of Victoria, as well as unlitigated claims through alternative dispute resolution. She practices predominately in the area of personal injury, with a particular focus on institutional risk and liability claims and acts on behalf of insurers and insureds, as well as religious institutions and not for profit organisations.

The announcement follows the recent appointments of partner Adam Foster, special counsel Bianca Wallace, senior associates Alexandra King, Tyrone Prisk and Ben Rissman and Chief Financial Officer Jiyoung Park.

For more information please contact Linda Branton on 02 8281 4594 or linda.branton@cbp.com.au.