Two partners have joined Sparke Helmore’s specialty lines insurance team, along with a special counsel, four lawyers and support staff.
Sparke Helmore hired Patrick Tuohey and Mark Gray-Spencer to its specialty lines insurance team, based in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.
Formerly from Colin Biggers & Paisley, Tuohey has specialised in insurance law with a particular focus on the professional indemnity space.
The new Sparke Helmore partner has defended claims against a wide range of individuals, including solicitors and barristers, accountants, mortgage brokers, real estate agents, and those in the construction industry.
He has brought special counsel Hilary Stokes with him.
“It was important for me to join a firm known for its culture of collaboration and collegiality, as well as one with a clearly defined strategy for growth and success,” Tuohey said of his appointment.
“Joining Sparke Helmore allows me to build on my strong relationships in the industry, to provide excellent service to my clients, and play a key role in expanding the firm’s professional indemnity practice.”
Tuohey has acted on large and small claim matters in all Victorian courts and tribunals and in federal jurisdictions. He has also provided coverage advice to insurer clients on a range of policies and insurance issues.
Commenting on the new hire, specialty lines practice group leader Malcolm Cameron said they were excited to have Tuohey on board.
“We have a strong track record in NSW in this area, and Patrick joining us deepens our coverage into Victoria and nationally, allowing us to support our client base more effectively,” Cameron said.
Gray-Spencer moved from GSG Legal, a specialist aviation and aerospace firm, along with a team of four lawyers and two support staff.
At GSG Legal, Gray-Spencer made the firm one of the “most respected aviation and aerospace insurance practices” in the Asia-Pacific region.
He has advised on a broad range of aviation and aerospace-related matters, including hull and passenger liability claims, regulatory matters, personal injury, property damages – including for third-party property – personal accident, cargo, war risks, policy coverage and policy wordings.
Gray-Spencer has acted for defendants in litigated and non-litigated disputes, with clients including underwriters, insurers, reinsurers, domestic and international carriers, general aviation operators, airports, maintenance and repair organisations and ground handlers.
Cameron said Gray-Spencer is a highly respected practitioner with deep expertise in aviation and aerospace law.
“His arrival increases our ability to support clients in this field with an expanded range of services across Australia and the Asia-Pacific,” he said.
“We’re pleased that Mark’s talented team has also decided to join us.”
Gray-Spencer said he looked forward to collaborating with other areas at Sparke Helmore to “better serve our aviation and aerospace client base”.
“My team and I are delighted to join Sparke Helmore, providing specialist depth to the firm’s highly regarded speciality lines insurance team,” Gray-Spencer said.
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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