The move was driven by demand from its insurer clients in the state, says partner Emma Reilly
Moray & Agnew has established a presence in Tasmania with the launch of its Hobart office at 162 Macquarie Street.
According to Ian Denham, the firm’s national managing partner, Tasmania “represents a natural extension of our existing work and relationships”. He expressed confidence that the new branch would boost the firm’s offering and footprint in Australia.
Partner Emma Reilly, who currently leads the new office alongside fellow partner Emily Daffy, said the decision was driven by client demand for local resources catering to litigation and claims response needs.
“We were already doing litigation work in Tasmania, particularly from our Victorian office. We would like to establish a presence in the jurisdiction to properly service our clients there and make sure that we are operating in the jurisdiction where the litigation is being conducted”, she told Australasian Lawyer.
The opening of the new office has, she said, been positively received by the firm’s Tasmania-based clients and the wider profession. Moray & Agnew’s Hobart base is staffed by a core team of eight that includes Reilly, Daffy, special counsel Brooke Dennington and Lucie Rundle, and associate William Gallagher.
However, Reilly expects the headcount to increase in line with demand.
“We're looking to have at least another partner, a special counsel and a lawyer or two in the Hobart office over the next year or so”, she told Australasian Lawyer.
Presently, Reilly splits her time between Canberra and Hobart, while Daffy divides hers between Victoria and Tasmania. Reilly confirmed that the firm plans to staff the Hobart office independently with local resources, with recruitment already ongoing for local talent. The firm is open to taking on talent who are looking to return to Tasmania from other states.
Moray & Agnew’s Hobart office will mainly concentrate on conducting insurance and government work to build on current client relationships, Reilly added. In the longer-term, there is potential for expansion into commercial law.
Earlier this month, Moray & Agnew welcomed Lauren Stubbs, Robert Passas, Mark O'Sullivan and Marian Morton as its newest partners in its mid-year promotions cycle.
Stubbs will be the firm’s first dedicated pro bono partner. She focuses on social justice and has led and grown the firm’s national pro bono practice, collaborating with community and not-for-profit organisations.
According to Denham, her promotion represents a significant milestone for the firm that reflects “the importance of our Pro Bono practice and the positive impact it delivers to the communities we serve”.
Passas concentrates on public and product liability and workers compensation matters. He works with self-insured corporations, insurers and government clients.
O’Sullivan has defended doctors, hospitals, medical defence organisations and insurers. He has tackled complex and catastrophic injury claims, coronial inquiries and professional disciplinary matters.
Morton has worked with government and private sector clients. She has handled personal injury, administrative law, coronial investigations, redress schemes, Royal Commissions and institutional abuse claims.
The firm also elevated the following:
Special counsel:
Senior associates:
The 14 newly promoted lawyers take up their new roles on 1 July.
