Insurance sector law firm Gilchrist Connell (GC) has added seasoned lawyers Julian Peake, Audrey-Lee Pham, Allana Smith, and Lucy Chen into its key areas of client demand to continue its unwavering growth trajectory.
Peake, who will join GC Sydney as a special counsel, has a solid background in construction risk, property damage, and construction and infrastructure projects, including rail projects, dams, and commercial building developments. He is attuned to the legal, commercial, and insurance issues facing his clients – having acted for commercial clients and insurers regarding a range of complex disputes, including road, rail, and tunnelling projects, as well as dams and commercial and residential building developments.
Pham, who will also join GC Sydney but as a senior associate, has extensive experience in personal injury and litigation, making her an established senior legal practitioner providing specialist advice and representation related to medical negligence claims, public liability, and sensitive claims work.
Like Pham, Chen will join GC Sydney as a senior associate. She is an experienced civil and commercial litigation practitioner with insurance experience in financial lines, professional indemnity, coverage, and sensitive claims lines, including royal commission work. Outside work, she volunteers at Refugee Legal, Marrickville Legal Centre, and Women's Legal Services NSW.
Lastly, Smith will join GC Melbourne as a senior associate. Her practice focuses on laws regulating work relationships, such as employment, discrimination, occupational health and safety, whistleblowing, and privacy. Additionally, she has given several presentations at workplace-related conferences and chaired an employment law workshop at the Law Institute of Victoria.
The latest senior appointments follow the entrance of pro bono leader Jilly Field in February 2022 to advance GC's contribution to social justice.
GC managing principal Richard Wood said the recent appointments reflect GC's dedication to meet client demand in key service lines while “staying true to who we are as an insurance sector law firm.”
“There is no doubt that Julian, Audrey, Allana, and Lucy further enhance the support we give to our clients in these important areas while being valued members of the GC team,” Wood said. “We now have over 120 great lawyers across our practice units – and more roles being recruited for. It's a very exciting time for the firm.”
