JUNE 2013

People

New Zealand-based Jones Fee has appointed Virginia Wethey as an associate. Ms Wethey began her legal career at Jones Fee before spending nearly 10 years in the UK working at two specialised insurance practices in London. In May 2011, she re-joined the firm and now specialises in insurance litigation and advice, especially liability claims (particularly professional indemnity), fire & general insurance (including earthquake claims) and policy coverage.

Sydney-based insurance specialist John Renshaw is leading McInnes Wilson Lawyers' new Sydney office, which opened on March 21. The Queensland-based firm's CEO Paul Tulley said the firm has been considering expansion into NSW "for some time". 

Insurance law and litigation firm Gilchrist Connell has appointed Clare Branch a special counsel in its Sydney office and Roger Lewis a senior associate in its Perth office.

Clare Branch

Roger Lewis

Zurich Financial Services Australia has appointed Margaret Dewes its marine claim team's technical claims manager. Ms Dewes, who previously operated her own marine consultancy, will support Garry Chalkley who was promoted this year to technical lead. Anita Piccolo has been promoted to Queensland customer care manager.

GIO has appointed Tim Allen as workers' compensation underwriting manager for its ACT/national accounts portfolio, based in Canberra. He was previously occupational health & safety manager for the Salvation Army. He replaces Guy Stewart who was appointed GIO's workers' compensation national portfolio underwriting specialist, based in Sydney.

Peter Brook joined global reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter & Co on April 2 as Asia Pacific managing director and head of agriculture practice, based in Sydney.

Commercial litigation and recoveries lawyer Sam Pearlman joined Curwoods Lawyers' partnership on April 2, He will be based in Sydney.