Young lawyer wins Shorter award

AILA NSW hosted the final of the fourth consecutive Ron Shorter Memorial Award on April 21, 2015.

The award was conceptualised by Mr Shorter before his untimely passing and has become a key event on the AILA NSW calendar.

The award continues to grow in popularity. Young insurance professionals are eager to participate. Insurance industry personnel are keen to attend the final so they can experience the presentation of critical industry issues by young professionals who have had the benefit of public speaking training.
This year AILA NSW received a record number of RSVPs - the final was sold out more than a week in advance.

Three finalists were picked following a workshop facilitated by Polaris Coaching. At the end of the workshop each participant used their newfound skills to speak on their selected insurance topic for two minutes.

Sarah Mellowes, of DLA Piper, one of the successful 20 applicants, said of the workshop: "Thank you for the amazing workshop. It was such a well-run event and I learnt so much about public speaking and presenting. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience."

The 20 applicants were one reinsurer, a loss adjuster, two brokers, four underwriters and 12 insurance lawyers. Following Allianz's Benjamin Briscoe's win of the 2014 award, it is evident insurance industry participation is growing - which is encouraging to AILA.

The three finalists selected after the workshop were Divya Pahawa, from Meridian Lawyers; Naseer Taseer, from GT Insurance; and Mark Slaven, from McCabes Lawyers.

From left: Naseer Taseer, Divya Pahawa and Mark Slaven

Each received further coaching from Polaris before the final, at Colin Biggers & Paisley's offices on April 21.

Ms Pahawa blended humour with sound legal principles and key insurance coverage issues in relation to medical malpractice.

Mr Slaven (below) spoke passionately about the impact of climate change on the insurance industry and made recommendations on how the industry could lobby governments, educate consumers, and perhaps mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Mr Taseer (below) spoke charismatically about insurance brokers and their critical importance in protecting insurance product consumers.

The judging panel was Justice Nigel Rein, Supreme Court of NSW; Dallas Booth, National Insurance Brokers Association CEO; and Leanne Mezrani, Editor of Lawyers Weekly.

From left: Mr Booth, Ms Mezrani, Mr Taseer, Ms Pahawa , Mr Slaven, Justice Rein, Ms Beard (Polaris)

When announcing Ms Pahawa as the winner, Justice Rein said final decision was close. He credited Mr Slaven for the substance of his presentation and Mr Naseer for his authoritative delivery.

Justice Rein said Ms Pahawa articulated salient facts about medical malpractice insurance that were finely balanced with humour. Congratulations Divya.

The AILA Victorian Chapter has launched the Ron Shorter Award for the first time in 2015.

Applications closed on May 1. The award will be on July 30 at Colin Biggers & Paisley's offices in Melbourne.

The Victorian award is sponsored by Colin Biggers & Paisley and Unisearch. For any questions about the Victorian Award please contact AILA President Susan Vidler on (02) 8274 2811 or email president@aila.com.au

Well done to all who participated in this year's competition. We look forward to an even greater competition in 2016.

Award winner Divya Pahawa

AILA NSW would like to thank Polaris Coaching for the excellent training it provides to participants of the Ron Shorter Award, and Colin Biggers & Paisley for its ongoing sponsorship.