Defendant-only insurance specialist HBA Legal, now a part of Crawford & Company, has launched an occupational health and safety (OH&S) service that offers a comprehensive range of legal services spanning all aspects of workplace safety and compliance.
The new service will also provide expert legal representation in courts and tribunals, and strategic legal advice relating to claims and rehabilitation management.
As part of the launch, HBA Legal appointed Jamie McPherson as a partner. With over 25 years of legal experience, he is recognised for his leadership skills in workplace safety and employment law and the field of workers' compensation. He has acted for Workcover Queensland throughout his career and most recently served as the managing director of DWF Australia.
HBA Legal director Nathan Hepple said McPherson's extensive experience and breadth of expertise will help the firm grow its presence.
“At HBA Legal, we are constantly seeking opportunities to expand the scope of our legal services. The OH&S arena is naturally aligned to our existing expertise, and we see a significant opportunity to bring the unique legal approach that we offer to clients in this sector. Jamie is the ideal choice to lead this new service,” Hepple said.
McPherson commented: “I am delighted to be joining HBA Legal at such a pivotal point in its ongoing expansion. The OH&S sector is a dynamic environment which demands a very technical and responsive legal approach. The services and solutions we offer clients are highly compelling and are provided through a unique operating and delivery model which places the customer experience at the core.”
McPherson's appointment follows the announcements that Damian Hegarty and Courtney Steele joined the law firm's Brisbane office as partners in February and January, respectively.
Hepple commented: “Our acquisition by Crawford in November 2020 has added significant impetus to our growth plans. Through the acquisition, Crawford is now able to provide a single service capability that spans all stages of the claims lifecycle from initial notification of loss through to effective resolution, with legal support fully integrated into that lifecycle. In turn, we are also able to provide clients with greater choice and create what we view as a truly game-changing offering in business-critical areas such as recoveries, fraud, and litigation management.”
