Senior duo move to specialist firm from global firm

The insurance specialist firm boosts its Sydney and Adelaide senior ranks

Senior duo move to specialist firm from global firm
Gilchrist Connell has scored a duo of senior lawyers from Clyde & Co.

The firm has appointed Malcolm Wood and Chetan Shukla as senior associates in Sydney. Gilchrist Connell has also appointed Zoe Dempster as a new associate in Adelaide from a local injury compensation and workplace law specialist firm.



In January, Clyde & Co hired Gilchrist Connell partner Gavin Beardsell in Sydney.

Both Wood and Shukla specialise in financial institutions, directors’ and officers’ liability, and professional indemnity. They have acted in large and complex matters for underwriters, both in Australia and in London. They also have extensive experience in coverage advice and monitoring large disputes on behalf of insurers.


Wood is returning to the national insurance specialist firm, having worked there after starting his legal career with Legal Aid NSW, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and William Roberts Lawyer. He then moved to DLA Piper before joining Clyde & Co. Wood has extensive knowledge and experience in complex litigation, having acted in numerous multimillion-dollar actions and class actions.

Shukla started his law career at Colin Biggers & Paisley, before moving to William Roberts lawyers, TressCox, Lee and Lyons, and Clyde & Co. He is an expert in financial lines, has particular interest in cyber and IT insurance, and has acted for major IT companies. His appointment comes as Gilchrist Connell continues its drive to grow expertise in cyber insurance.

Dempster is an expert in claims defence, with extensive experience representing plaintiffs in a range of compensation claims.

Richard Wood, Gilchrist Connell managing principal, said that the new recruits will help the firm maintain its levels of service across key practice areas as the firm continues to expand.

In February, the firm promoted two senior associates in Adelaide.


Related stories:
New senior associates at insurance specialist firm
Global firm adds three senior lawyers in Australia

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