Clayton Utz has strengthened its commercial litigation practice with the hiring of insurance disputes lawyer Sophy Woodward as a partner in Melbourne.
Greg Williams, Clayton Utz national practice group leader and commercial litigation partner, said: “Sophy’s move to Clayton Utz will build on our proud record of acting for policyholders in insurance disputes. It also reflects our view of Melbourne as a growing litigation market.”
Woodward, who has made a lateral move from the Melbourne office of UK law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) where she practised as a partner, has decades of experience in dispute resolution.
With particular expertise in insurance and risk management issues, Woodward advises on a wide range of contentious matters including contested insurance claims, construction disputes, regulatory investigations and class actions.
Previously, in 2018, she left her nine-year role as a senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills to join HFW, where she first served as a special counsel in insurance and reinsurance before making partner in 2022.
Back in August this year, Clayton Utz hired four partners from MinterEllison for its Canberra office, bolstering the firm’s capabilities in commercial litigation, real estate and the public sector.
