Chanel Bou-Francis
Special CounselAbout Chanel
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.
What she does
Chanel has particular experience acting for insurers and their clients in defence of personal injury and property liability claims. She deals primarily with litigated matters across a range of jurisdictions. She regularly appears to represent her clients in complex and often multi-party litigation including hearings in the Local, District and Supreme Courts. Chanel has been seconded to the claims team for one of the firm’s largest insurer clients, managing her own portfolio of liability claim files, some which arose out of highly publicised disasters.
Chanel otherwise devotes her time to taking on various pro-bono matters and initiatives, which is a crucial way of giving back to individual members and groups of the community.
Who she works with
Chanel works with a range of Australian and overseas insurers, their insureds and brokers.
Qualifications
Chanel has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame.
Life before Sparkes
Prior to joining the firm in 2018, Chanel worked with another national firm specialising in insurance and liability. Chanel also worked in an in-house role responding to employment and workplace disputes in the pharmaceutical industry before gaining experience in criminal law, where she was key to defending criminal prosecutions and bail applications.
Life outside of Sparkes
Chanel can be found trail walking and hiking through various national parks and mountain tracks, photographing the great views of nature. She enjoys embracing her cultural background particularly over a traditional dish with her family and friends.