As a senior associate and litigation agent at Grimshaw,
Michael Wolff has a host of areas of expertise including insurance law, construction disputes and civil and commercial litigation.
It’s knowledge he has picked up after being involved in insurance and construction litigation for years after completing his Bachelor of Law from the University of Canterbury.
“As a result I have in-depth knowledge of construction disputes, which assists me greatly in my current role in Christchurch assisting people resolve post-Canterbury earthquake claims,” he says.
“Grimshaw deals with all types of claims ranging from people needing some advice to million dollar entitlement cases. There are huge discrepancies as to the scale of the earthquake damage between claimants.”
He describes how some clients want him to understand every detail – some spanning several years – and to scrutinise every conversation pertaining to their claim.
“I have to put effort into getting them to focus on the issues that need to be resolved and what they are legally entitled to in terms of their policy going forward as many times the history of the claim clouds their judgment,” he explains. “But it’s heartening and satisfying to have such interesting work and to be in a position to assist so many people.”
He elaborates that he finds it interesting how some clients become disconcerted over minor issues while others maintain their equilibrium in the face of crises. His challenge is to remain impartial in the job and to not allow himself to get emotionally entangled.
“Too much emotion doesn’t help anyone,” he emphasises.
Wolff describes his own character as leaning toward balance. “I try to avoid highs and lows,” he says.
He points out that remaining impartial does not extend to the courtroom, however, where he admits he loves to win “in a competitive process where I’m up against a rival who is trying to make his point of view loud and clear and ultimately to override my point of view.”
In terms of what he would transform in the industry, he says it would undoubtedly be more streamlined communication between
EQC and insurers. He states that the steps taken since the Kaikoura earthquake are a move in the right direction.
On a personal level he enjoys spending time with his partner and surfing, especially offshore in tropical climes when it gets cold locally.
“I love the water, the freedom and the exhilaration that comes with surfing,” he admits. “However, when there is no surf I have to resort to my morning ritual of a long black coffee to start the day.”
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