We believe the best stories are shared. What's your story?
As an independent Australian firm with a long history and a big heart, we have a rich story to tell. Our spirit is built on the power of relationships with our people, clients and communities.
Your story is yours to define. We’d like to be part of it and for you to be part of ours.
Read more »
As an independent Australian firm with a long history and a big heart, we have a rich story to tell. Our spirit is built on the power of relationships with our people, clients and communities.
Your story is yours to define. We’d like to be part of it and for you to be part of ours.
Read more »
People
Hannah
Alcaro
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 9373 1479+61 2 9373 1479
o: Sydney
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 9373 1479+61 2 9373 1479
o: Sydney
Hannah is a property lawyer specialising in leasing matters, developments, and acquisitions and disposals.
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Stefanie
Andrensek
Senior Associate
t: +61 7 3016 5068+61 7 3016 5068
o: Brisbane
Senior Associate
t: +61 7 3016 5068+61 7 3016 5068
o: Brisbane
Stefanie is a maritime and shipping specialist who advises governments, shipowners, P&I clubs and specialty insurers on transport-related disputes. She has been recognised in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Recommended Lawyer – Shipping.
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Richard
Anicich, AM
Consultant
t: +61 2 4924 7224+61 2 4924 7224
m: +61 404 828 235+61 404 828 235
o: Newcastle
Consultant
t: +61 2 4924 7224+61 2 4924 7224
m: +61 404 828 235+61 404 828 235
o: Newcastle
Richard is a Consultant in the Corporate & Commercial team. He acts for corporate entities, public authorities, insolvency practitioners and other professional firms on the management and resolution of commercial disputes.
Richard was acknowledged as a leading restructuring and insolvency lawyer in the 2017 Legal 500 Asia Pacific directory and recognised in AsiaLaw's 2015 guide. Australasian Lawyer also nominated Richard as a leading lawyer in 2014. On 26 January 2018, Richard was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "significant services to the community of the Hunter, to business development and medical research, and to the law".
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Mya
Anumarlapudi
Senior Associate
t: +61 2 6263 6360+61 2 6263 6360
o: Canberra
Senior Associate
t: +61 2 6263 6360+61 2 6263 6360
o: Canberra
Having previously worked in Federal Government, Mya is aware of the considerations that need to be taken into account when providing advice. She enjoys receiving out the ordinary queries which challenge her to apply her knowledge to unusual circumstances.
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Rani
Aria Retnam
Partner
t: +61 8 9492 2266+61 8 9492 2266
m: +61 411 559 503+61 411 559 503
o: Perth
Partner
t: +61 8 9492 2266+61 8 9492 2266
m: +61 411 559 503+61 411 559 503
o: Perth
Rani is an experienced insurance lawyer, specialising in workers' compensation, public liability, medical negligence, motor vehicle accident claims and professional indemnity.
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Lauren
Armstrong
Senior Associate
t: +61 2 6263 6316+61 2 6263 6316
o: Brisbane
Senior Associate
t: +61 2 6263 6316+61 2 6263 6316
o: Brisbane
Lauren is a highly experienced government administrative lawyer with over seven years’ experience in the public sector performing in-house legal roles. Lauren brings valuable insights from working with clients experiencing significant legislative, environmental, and operational changes.
Lauren is also a Local Pro Bono Coordinator and coordinates pro bono activities and opportunities for the Brisbane office.
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Matthew
Armstrong
Special Counsel
t: +61 7 3001 9256+61 7 3001 9256
o: Brisbane
Special Counsel
t: +61 7 3001 9256+61 7 3001 9256
o: Brisbane
Matthew is a property lawyer who specialises in property development as well as acquisitions and disposals. He has a keen interest and passion for the broader property industry and market, which allows him to provide his clients' with quality legal and commercial advice.
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Sangeetha
Badya
Senior Associate
t: +61 7 3001 9206+61 7 3001 9206
o: Cairns
Senior Associate
t: +61 7 3001 9206+61 7 3001 9206
o: Cairns
Sangeetha advises clients on a wide range of planning and environment matters and has acted for parties on all sides of a dispute giving her a breadth of perspective and experience. Her work has also involved a variety of sites from waste facilities, quarry operations and mines through to commercial and residential development working closely with teams of experts. Sangeetha has appeared in the Planning and Environment Court in contested reviews and originating applications, instructed counsel in planning appeals and participated in without prejudice conferences in the early stages of litigation. She has also undertaken cross-jurisdictional work in NSW and Victoria.
In addition to her professional experience, Sangeetha is a Company Director and Secretary for Just Us Theatre Ensemble Inc (JUTE Theatre Company), a local not-for-profit theatre organisation in Cairns. Sangeetha was also the recipient of a scholarship to participate in the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course on Governance for Not-for-profit Company Directors.
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Alice
Bain
Special Counsel
t: +61 8 8415 9872+61 8 8415 9872
m: +61 408 295 085+61 408 295 085
o: Adelaide
Special Counsel
t: +61 8 8415 9872+61 8 8415 9872
m: +61 408 295 085+61 408 295 085
o: Adelaide
Alice specialises in providing commercial services to Government clients, including legal and probity advice on contracting and procurement. She also advises on administrative law issues, including access to information, judicial and merits review and statutory interpretation.
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Stephanie
Barclay
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 9373 3530+61 2 9373 3530
o: Sydney
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 9373 3530+61 2 9373 3530
o: Sydney
Stephanie is an experienced litigator who practices in professional indemnity and financial lines claims. She believes in providing practical advice to clients focussed on achieving efficient resolutions of claims. Creativity and innovation are at the heart of the way Stephanie conducts her legal portfolio and she is quick to jump at an out of the box idea for a defence. She believes in taking clients on the claims journey with her and is known for her responsiveness and providing timely updates. Stephanie wholeheartedly believes that teamwork is the key to providing the best solutions for clients and embraces new ideas from her peers and clients.
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Laura
Beattie
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 9373 3590+61 2 9373 3590
o: Sydney
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 9373 3590+61 2 9373 3590
o: Sydney
Laura joined Sparke Helmore in May 2014 in our Sydney office and has been a workers’ compensation practitioner for more than 25 years. She has specialised in providing legal services to self and specialised insurers for the last nine years and has extensive knowledge and experience of the industry specific legislation and jurisdiction.
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Ian
Bennett
Partner
t: +61 8 9288 8007+61 8 9288 8007
m: +61 404 106 612+61 404 106 612
o: Perth
Partner
t: +61 8 9288 8007+61 8 9288 8007
m: +61 404 106 612+61 404 106 612
o: Perth
Ian is an experienced workplace lawyer specialising in employee relations, work health and safety (WHS) and coronial inquests. He provides practical and pragmatic advice to help employers effectively manage complex legal issues arising in the workplace.
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Sharon
Bennett
Chief Operating Officer
t: +61 2 9260 2550+61 2 9260 2550
m: +61 408 539 626+61 408 539 626
o: Sydney
Chief Operating Officer
t: +61 2 9260 2550+61 2 9260 2550
m: +61 408 539 626+61 408 539 626
o: Sydney
Sharon has more than 20 years’ experience in human resources and operations, primarily in professional services environments across Australia, Asia-Pacific and globally. Sharon’s experience includes all facets of HR, focusing on strategic and tactical solutions to address people and business needs.
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Cara
Bettenay
Special Counsel
t: +61 8 9288 8096+61 8 9288 8096
o: Perth
Special Counsel
t: +61 8 9288 8096+61 8 9288 8096
o: Perth
Cara is an experienced insurance litigator who assists insurers and corporations on a variety of general liability claims including public liability, property damage and professional indemnity.
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Anella
Bortone
Partner
t: +61 2 9260 2549+61 2 9260 2549
m: +61 409 160 181+61 409 160 181
o: Sydney
Partner
t: +61 2 9260 2549+61 2 9260 2549
m: +61 409 160 181+61 409 160 181
o: Sydney
Anella advises clients on Commonwealth statutory classes of insurance claims. The clients that she works with are covered under various Commonwealth schemes.
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Chanel
Bou-Francis
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 9260 2758+61 2 9260 2758
o: Sydney
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 9260 2758+61 2 9260 2758
o: Sydney
Chanel is an experienced litigator, specialising in national liability disputes across the casualty, aviation and property space. Chanel is skilled in applying the law and providing tailored legal advice to clients to assist them in navigating and defending complex legal matters. Chanel adopts a strategic and pragmatic focus to litigation and is a skilled negotiator. In addition to legal expertise, Chanel prides herself in building strong, genuine connections with clients in order to provide personalised guidance and support in defence of their claims. Chanel’s passionate dedication to mentoring junior colleagues also showcases her commitment to helping others flourish and succeed in the legal profession.
Chanel has previously been seconded to the claims team for one of the firm's largest insurer clients. During this secondment, Chanel provided complex and technical legal support in response to high profile building and construction disasters, gaining significant legal and commercial insights into the sector. She is often praised by Counsel for being astute, canvassing the relevant issues in a case and taking initiative in her approach to defence and preparation of a matter.
Exemplifying a strong commitment to the insurance industry, Chanel is a member of various industry organisations such as Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA), Women in Insurance, Claims Discussion Group and the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand. It is through this total immersion in industry, that Chanel is able to deliver enhanced services and better claims outcomes to her clients. Chanel is a regular participant in Women in Insurance events and continues to captain the Sparke Helmore Touch of Colour Team (an industry gala day touch football and fundraising event to support children who have suffered from traumatic social and psychological experiences). Chanel’s dedication to access to justice has led her to build a strong pro bono practice, volunteering at various legal community groups and within her broader local community.
Chanel has been recognised by her peers in Best Lawyers 2023 and 2024 on the Ones to Watch list in insurance law.
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Leeanne
Bou-Samra
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 6263 6326+61 2 6263 6326
o: Canberra
Special Counsel
t: +61 2 6263 6326+61 2 6263 6326
o: Canberra
Leeanne is a specialist in Planning and Environmental Law. She has a long and substantial history in commercial litigation routinely appearing as solicitor advocate in complex litigation. Outcome driven, Leeanne has a well-earned reputation for developing cost effective, tailored legal and commercial solutions for her clients.
She provides advice to a variety of clients, consultants and local authorities who appreciate her honest, timely and practical approach.
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Andrea
Boyd-Boland
Consultant
t: +61 2 9373 1495+61 2 9373 1495
m: +61 404 009 900+61 404 009 900
o: Sydney
Consultant
t: +61 2 9373 1495+61 2 9373 1495
m: +61 404 009 900+61 404 009 900
o: Sydney
Andrea predominantly advises on CTP and liability, and has conducted many major claims in these areas. She has extensive experience as a litigator, regularly appearing in the District and Supreme Courts and Tribunals. She also advises on alternative dispute resolution strategies designed to promote a fair resolution of matters at an early stage.
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