Barry Nilsson announces largest promotion round to date

Leading national law firm Barry Nilsson has announced 30 internal staff promotions, marking its largest promotion cohort to date and continuing a period of expansion for the firm, with the national headcount increasing by almost 25 per cent since June 2025.

Effective 1 July 2026, the promotions include two Principals, three Special Counsel, six Senior Associates, 16 Associates, one Billing Team Leader, one People & Culture Manager and one Marketing & Communications Manager across the firm’s Insurance & Health, Family Law and Business Services teams.

Two senior lawyers – Natalie Aprea and Stephanie Carter – will be elevated to Principal, bringing the firm’s total number of principals to 47. Natalie specialises in medical negligence, professional conduct, health and insurance law, with more than 15 years’ experience as a litigation lawyer. Stephanie has extensive experience in insurance litigation, including public liability, product liability, policy interpretation and management liability matters.

Barry Nilsson Chairperson and Insurance & Health Principal Peter Murdoch said the promotions reflect the depth and diversity of talent across the firm, as well as Barry Nilsson’s ongoing focus on supporting career progression and investment in its people.

“The past 12 months have been a period marked by immense growth for the firm, and it is pleasing to see our people stepping into new roles and opportunities that are reflective of the future direction of the firm,” he said.

Associate-level appointments make up more than half of the promoted cohort, reflecting the firm’s continued focus on fostering the next generation of leaders across all of the business’ core focus areas.

“This is the fifth consecutive round of promotions in which Associate-level appointments have accounted for the largest share of promotions,” Mr Murdoch said.

“This demonstrates not just a fleeting focus on the next generation, but a steadfast commitment to the future of the firm by identifying and investing in growth and development opportunities for our greatest strength – our people.”

The promotions also point to continued growth across Barry Nilsson’s core practice areas, with a significant number of promotions in the firm’s Insurance & Health team, following the appointment of six new principals and their teams in late 2025, which expanded Barry Nilsson’s national insurance offering.

“As our largest promotion round to date, this marks an important milestone for the firm and reflects the momentum we have built in recent months, while strengthening the team that will help shape the firm’s future,” Mr Murdoch said.

Promotions taking effect from 1 July 2026

Principal

• Natalie Aprea – Insurance (Sydney)
• Stephanie Carter – Insurance (Sydney)

Special Counsel

• Conor Tomkins – Insurance (Melbourne)
• Meredith Lyons – Insurance (Sydney)
• Michael Chen – Insurance (Sydney)

Senior Associate

• Grace Denney – Insurance (Melbourne)
• Luke Scrimes – Insurance (Sydney)
• Meagan Brown – Insurance (Brisbane)
• Sam Brodie – Insurance (Melbourne)
• Sean Lynch – Insurance (Sydney)
• Tyler Ebzery‑Lim – Insurance (Brisbane)

Associate

• Alex Chi – Insurance (Perth)
• Alexandra Ramsay – Family (Brisbane)
• Bridget Milne – Insurance (Melbourne)
• Brooke Kelly – Insurance (Melbourne)
• Charlie McCormack – Insurance (Perth)
• Donya Amadi – Insurance (Sydney)
• Fintan O’Hurley – Insurance (Perth)
• Indah Ahmad – Insurance (Melbourne)
• Jasmine Loza-Prince – Insurance (Melbourne)
• Julian Moss – Insurance (Brisbane)
• Kim Roberts – Insurance (Brisbane)
• Madeleine Woodcock – Insurance (Perth)
• Miles Kahles – Insurance (Hobart)
• Natalia Rettich – Insurance (Melbourne)
• Phoebe Evans – Insurance (Sydney)
• Tristan Baiamonte – Insurance (Perth)
  

Business Services

• Hannah McKee – Billing Team Leader (Brisbane)
• Lulu Schneiders – People & Culture Manager (Melbourne)
• Sophia Nugawela – Marketing & Communications Manager (Melbourne)