Kristen Deards SC

Rhett is Hall & Wilcox's National Insurance Practice Head and is responsible for the driving and coordinating the strategy for the firm’s national insurance practice, comprising 35 partners and over 150 insurance lawyers across Australia. Rhett has over 25 years’ experience acting for the major insurers, claims administrators, self-insurers, government agencies and statutory schemes. He also has longstanding relationships with the broking community, industry peak bodies and ot...

In 2000, Kate became an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law certified by the Law Society of NSW. She currently specialises in large and complex personal injury claims with considerable experience handling medical negligence claims against health care providers including public hospitals, private hospitals and medical practitioners. Kate has a particular interest in birth injury claims & has acted for a number of children suffering cerebral palsy as a result of adverse birth event...

Julian Peake is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Professional Malpractice Litigation. Julian practices law in Sydney, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Julian Peake since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Julian Peake is held by other lawyers.

Alex Haslam is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Litigation and Professional Malpractice Litigation. Alex practices law in Sydney, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Alex Haslam since 2019. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alex Haslam is held by other lawyers.

Accredited Criminal Law Specialist | Co-Founder of Doogue + George Defence Lawyers Bill Doogue is a distinguished criminal defence lawyer based in Melbourne, Australia, with over 30 years of experience in the legal profession. Admitted to practice in 1989, he has been an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 1998 and was recognised as one of Australia's five 'pre-eminent criminal lawyers' by Doyle’s Guide in 2024 .​ As a co-founder of Doogue + George Defence Lawyers, Bill leads a fir...

Michael has over 30 years of experience in immigration law and has been recognised as an Accredited Specialist in immigration law by the New South Wales Law Society since 1998. He is an Associate Fellow of the Migration Institute of Australia, a member of the New South Wales Law Society committee for Accredited specialists in Immigration law, Chairman of the Conduct Panel for the Migration Institute of Australia and member of The Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries. Michael is also...

Tamara is briefed in a wide range of commercial and public law matters, with a focus on complex revenue, regulatory and planning and environment cases. She appears both led and unled, at first instance and on appeal in New South Wales and Federal courts, as well as in tribunals and inquiries. In addition to advocacy, Tamara’s practice involves opinion and advisory work for corporate and government clients. Tamara has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a leading junior counsel in ...

As an experienced commercial lawyer, Robert has significant experience in providing immigration and other legal advice and visa services to Australian and multinational companies in sectors such as financial services, mining and resources (including off-shore oil and gas), information technology and telecommunications, retail, science and engineering, and health. Robert served as the firm’s Regional Managing Partner for Asia Pacific from 2011 to 2016 and Managing Partner of the Australi...

Stephen came to the Bar in 1998, taking silk ten years later. His practice ranges across all areas of public law, with a particular emphasis on Constitutional Law, Judicial Review, International Law and Revenue Law. He also practices extensively in Native Title (in which field he is a co-author of the leading textbook) and in regulatory pricing and economic matters. Stephen has an extensive appellate practice, having appeared in the Full Court of the High Court in over 70 proceedings (not cou...

Ms Beechey practises in commercial litigation, with specialisations in domestic and cross-border insolvency, banking and financial regulation. She regularly acts for local and foreign insolvency practitioners, major financial institutions, corporations, investors and regulators in complex commercial and insolvency matters. She appears in all Australian courts, principally in the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of New South Wales at both trial and appellate levels. She has appeared unled i...