Australian law firm Barry Nilsson (BN) has detailed a series of internal promotions across its Insurance & Health practice and other business units following the retirement of principal and head of Insurance & Health, Rhett Kennedy.
From Jan. 1, Brisbane-based insurance lawyer Gillian Sheppard (pictured) will take on the role of principal in the firm’s Insurance & Health team, bringing the principal group to 46 and maintaining the firm’s stated target of 40% female representation in leadership.
Sheppard joined Barry Nilsson’s Brisbane office in 2003 and has practised exclusively in insurance law since her admission in 2000. Her practice focuses on professional indemnity and policy coverage, including defending professional negligence claims and complaints before tribunals and registration boards. She acts for insurers that underwrite a range of professions, including solicitors, construction and engineering professionals, medical practitioners, educational institutions, and financial advisers, with clients in Queensland, other Australian jurisdictions, and the UK.
Barry Nilsson chairperson and Insurance & Health principal Peter Murdoch said the latest promotions round is linked to the firm’s current strategic planning period and its emphasis on internal career progression. “Supporting the growth and development of our people is one of the most important investments we can make as a firm. Gillian has been a steadfast member of our team since 2003, and we are looking forward to watching as she shares her expertise with the team in her new role as principal,” Murdoch said.
The firm has promoted 18 people across legal and business services roles effective at the start of 2026. In addition to Sheppard’s elevation, Brisbane-based insurance lawyer Felix Kalade has been promoted to special counsel. In the Insurance & Health practice, Melbourne-based practitioners Thomas Klepper and Ysabelle Kong have been promoted to senior associate.
At associate level, there are 11 promotions across multiple offices and practice areas. In the insurance team, the new associates are:
In other practice groups, the new associates are:
The business services team has also seen three promotions. In Brisbane, Margaret Harvison has been appointed events manager and Ciara Popplewell people and culture coordinator, while Patricia Nguyen has been promoted to people and culture coordinator in Melbourne.
Murdoch said the number of promotions at associate level is linked to succession planning and leadership development across key practice areas. “Our strengths lie in our people, at every level, and these appointments reflect internal efforts made to identify, nurture, and challenge the next generation of leaders who will continue to drive growth and innovation across the firm to the benefit of both our clients and our culture,” he said.
The internal promotions follow the December 2025 lateral recruitment of six principals and their teams into the Insurance & Health practice, adding experience in transaction liability, regulatory work, and commercial litigation. Earlier in 2025, the firm also added to its Family Law leadership with the appointment of principal Kim Lamb.
The promotions sit alongside a leadership transition in the Insurance & Health group, following the retirement of principal and head of Insurance & Health, Rhett Kennedy, in December 2025 after almost 40 years with the firm. According to a LinkedIn post from Barry Nilsson, Kennedy joined the firm in 1985 as a newly admitted lawyer and became a partner in 1990. He established the insurance practice, which has since grown to become the largest area in the firm’s portfolio, and has advised on financial lines, professional indemnity, public and product liability, and property damage claims. Kennedy has also held governance roles, serving as the firm’s inaugural chair of the board of management from 2020. In that capacity, he oversaw national expansion, governance changes and a series of initiatives covering brand, diversity and inclusion, pro bono work, and responsible business.
The firm said Kennedy will continue his association with Barry Nilsson in a consulting capacity from 2026. “Over the course of his career, Rhett has been an inspiration to many, offering leadership, guidance, and mentorship to practitioners across the firm. He has been an outstanding leader for BN, and we look forward to Rhett's continued association with the firm in a consulting capacity from 2026. It is with immense appreciation that we congratulate Rhett on an outstanding legal career and this significant milestone, and wish him every success in his future endeavours,” the law firm said.
