Robyn Brewster

Partner

Robyn has been admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales since 1992. She has also been admitted to practice in Victoria and Western Australia.

Robyn heads a specialised team dealing with dust diseases claims. Her clients include self-insured companies, and New South Wales and Commonwealth corporations. She has a national coordinating role dealing with all dust related claims for Telstra Corporation. She provides strategic advice regarding such claims across all jurisdictions, throughout Australia. She was named a ‘Young Gun’ by Butterworths’ Legal Profiles 2002 in recognition of her excellence in dust diseases litigation.

She has defended claims involving former employees, contractors and family members of employees who allege disease through contact with employee’s clothing.

Litigation conducted in the Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales is highly specialised involving complex, medical and legal questions. If plaintiffs are terminally ill, the litigation is conducted on an urgent basis and Robyn has systems in place to cover every contingency.

Robyn also coordinated large discovery projects for many of her clients. Robyn has compiled a standard list of discovered documents regarding asbestos for many of her clients.

She maintains a database of all claims made against her clients so she can challenge inconsistent allegations and reduce the requirement for duplication in investigations.

Robyn also specialises in the recovery of damages paid to plaintiffs from other tortfeasors including manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos and other products. Robyn has obtained excellent results for her clients, including a decrease in the cost of claims for a heavy industry client by applying her negotiation and litigation skills. She has also recovered contribution from suppliers of asbestos for all of her clients.

As part of her strategic advice to clients, Robyn has provided training to employees and investigators on the special requirements for investigating dust diseases claims.

The Tribunal’s jurisdiction continues to expand to include all types of dust, fumes and many other substances. Robyn provides her clients with advice on future risk management in order to recognise and prepare for potential claims arising from these substances.