Specialist law firm Sparke Helmore has started the new year with five promotions in its insurance group and eight others in its government and corporate and commercial divisions.
Perth-based Joanne Clarke, Ben Coppin, and Colby Treasure were appointed as the firm’s newest special counsels; while Deirdre Pennock, also from Perth, and Melissa Scriva, from the firm’s Sydney office, were promoted to senior associates.
Clarke acts for insurers in various claims including motor vehicle and treatment liability, asbestos, public and general liability, and workers’ compensation claims, and has extensive experience instructing counsel on a range of liability and quantum matters. Coppin is an insurance and commercial litigator who specialises in public liability and commercial insurance. Treasure, meanwhile, advises insurers and employers on general insurance matters, including workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, and third-party motor vehicle insurance; assists with investigations on workplace accidents, and represents clients on litigious matters.
Pennock advises and represents insurers and their clients in a range of commercial insurance matters, predominantly motor vehicle injury, public liability, and property claims and recoveries, and also regularly manages catastrophic injury claims. Scriva, on the other hand, advises clients on workers’ compensation claims and specialises in administrative law, immigration law, statutory compensation law, and litigation.
Also promoted this new year were Naomi Simmons as special counsel for corporate and commercial; and senior associates Hannah Alcaro, Rory Alexander, Sarah Berry, Daniel Forster, Cavelle Lindsay, and Andrew Pacey, for corporate and commercial, and Mia Donald for government.
“I am thrilled to start the New Year celebrating the success of 13 of our talented lawyers,” said Phillip Salem, national managing partner. “Congratulations to each one on their well-earned promotion.”
Salem said he was also pleased that more women are moving into senior positions, with half of the firm’s special counsels and two-thirds of senior associates female.
“Gender equality continues to be a key focus for the firm following the recent launch of our Diversity & Inclusion 2020 Strategy, which aims to attract, develop, and retain top female talent and to continue to improve the gender representation in our leadership roles and decision-making forums,” he said.
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