Barry Nilsson has announced a significant expansion of its Insurance & Health division, confirming that six principals and their teams will join the firm from DLA Piper.
The incoming principals – Cameron Maclean, Jock Campbell, Carmen Elder, James Berg, James Morse, and Sophie Devitt – will be based across Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane, further strengthening the firm’s national presence in insurance law.
The move is part of Barry Nilsson’s broader strategy to grow its insurance offering and respond to increasing demand for specialist legal services in the sector.
Chairperson Peter Murdoch said the new appointments align with the firm’s ongoing strategic plan, which is currently being updated for the 2026–2028 period.
“The addition of these six principals and their practices is a testament to Barry Nilsson’s excellent reputation, strong performance, and the quality of our people and culture,” Murdoch said.
He added that the new hires will help the firm “achieve the best outcomes” for clients and expand its expertise in key areas.
The new principals bring a range of experience, including in directors and officers liability, professional indemnity, insurance litigation, statutory prosecutions, and regulatory matters.
Murdoch noted that the firm has seen a steady rise in demand for insurance law services in recent years.
“Beyond strengthening our capacity to service our current clients in this environment, these teams bring additional expertise in warranties and indemnities, general commercial litigation, and regulatory work, and add scale to our well established financial lines and casualty lines of business, significantly growing our insurance service offering,” he said.
The expansion comes as Barry Nilsson prepares for the retirement of Rhett Kennedy, who will step down as principal at the end of 2025 after a 40-year tenure.
Kennedy joined the firm in 1985 and was instrumental in building its insurance division, which is now the largest practice area at Barry Nilsson. He also served as the inaugural chair of the board of management, leading the firm through governance changes and the challenges of the pandemic.
A succession plan is in place, with principal Jordan Farr and special counsel Gillian Sheppard set to lead the Queensland financial lines team.
Murdoch acknowledged Kennedy’s impact on the firm, stating that his leadership has been central to the development of Barry Nilsson’s culture and national profile.
Barry Nilsson has also welcomed two senior associates to its Insurance & Health team.
Kate Henning joins the Adelaide office, specialising in public liability, professional indemnity, and medical malpractice claims. She brings experience in defending claims for major insurers and handling matters across several industries, including construction and real estate.
In Sydney, Lachlan Commins has joined as a senior associate, focusing on insurance matters related to building and construction. With a background in both law and quantity surveying, Commins advises on coverage, defence, and contract risk management for insurers and construction professionals.
