Brooke Backer has been promoted to associate within Holman Webb's commercial dispute resolution practice group. Backer has experience in commercial contracts, insolvency, debt recovery, securities enforcement and trade practices.

Patrick O'Shea and Marissa Coward have been promoted to associate within the firm's insurance group.

O'Shea will focus on body corporate public liability, office bearer's liability, body corporate building and common property damage, unit owner's liability and the defence of property damage, product liability and dust disease claims.

Coward has experience in the defence of dust disease and personal injury claims, plaintiff recovery claims relating to outstanding commercial debts and insurance litigation claims involving property damage, negligence and motor vehicle accidents.

The appointments were effective 1 January 2012.