Global legal network signs leading Australian firm

Date: Thursday, February 21st, 2019 by Michaela Hickson.

21 February, 2019 – Global Insurance Law Connect (GILC) announced today that Sparke Helmore, with more than 850 people working from nine offices across Australia, has joined its network. Now with 14 member firms covering five continents, GILC looks to serve its clients’ global needs by offering an extensive network of local lawyers with detailed insurance expertise.

Jim Sherwood, Chairman of Global Insurance Law Connect commented: “We are delighted to welcome Sparke Helmore to the network. With a depth of insurance expertise in a significant market, they will add greater critical mass to our ability to offer re/insurers, brokers and policyholders comfort that they can access the right advisers in the right places in the right way. Adding another leading insurance practice in a key jurisdiction highlights the network’s ambition – we offer our clients more genuine local expertise in specialist fields and help reduce the time and money they spend on managing their risks.”

Chris Wood, National Practice Group Leader for Commercial Insurance, commented, “Sparke Helmore joining the GILC network makes a powerful statement about the firm’s focus on the insurance sector. Becoming a member demonstrates our deep commitment to the industry and reinforces our position as one of the market-leading insurance law practices in Australia. It gives Sparke Helmore the ability to connect our clients with like-minded and high-performing organisations. We are kin with these firms, united by a common foundation of meeting client demand for creative and commercial outcomes, as well as a shared dedication to innovation.

“And what makes the GILC a stand-out from other similar networks is its special legal and risk interest groups — 14 in total — and which create burning platforms around priority issues such as Cyber, D&O, Financial Lines, and Product Liability and Recall. Sparke Helmore will be an enthusiastic contributor of knowledge and experience to these groups as well as draw on the insights from fellow global members to deliver smart solutions and an outstanding experience for our clients.

“It’s exciting to uphold our tradition of delivering exceptional local advice and combine that passion with the international reach of GILC — while retaining a distinct and proudly Australian identity. Being a member of the network also supports Sparke Helmore’s already successful and unique London Market Strategy and Immersion Programs. We are also thrilled that Gillian Davidson, a well-respected and highly-experienced Partner in our Commercial Insurance Group, has agreed to take a seat on the board of GILC as Asia Pacific representative.”

Contact

Caroline Wagstaff Luther Pendragon 07767 794208

Notes to editors

Global Insurance Law Connect is a formal alliance of insurance law firms spanning four continents. Founder member firms are Batini Traverso Grasso & Associati (Italy), BLM (UK), Byrd & Associates (France) and Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff PC (USA). Other members are Blanco & Asociados (Spain), Khaitan Legal Associates (India), Santos Bevilaqua Advogados (Brazil), Advokatfirmaet Riisa & Co (Norway) and Lydian (Belgium), Buren Legal (China), gbf Attorneys-at-Law (Switzerland), Lee and Li (Taiwan), Ocampo 1890 (Mexico) and Sparke Helmore (Australia).

A cornerstone of the offering is 14 special legal and risk interest groups sharing expert knowledge with clients across classes of business such as product liability, D&O, marine, energy and cyber. Additional groups will be added as the alliance grows in the next six months.

www.globalinsurancelaw.com.