Barry Nilsson boosts Insurance division as six new Principals join firm

Leading national law firm Barry Nilsson has executed a strategic lateral hire move, strengthening its Insurance & Health practice by welcoming six new principals and their practices to the firm.

Cameron Maclean, Jock Campbell, Carmen Elder, James Berg, James Morse and Sophie Devitt and team members are set to arrive at the firm from DLA Piper, with the two firms currently finalising arrangements for the move.

Barry Nilsson Chairman Peter Murdoch says the well-respected insurance practitioners and their established practices are the ideal cultural fit and align with the firm’s continued focus for growth as it develops the 2026-2028 iteration of its strategic plan.

“The addition of these six Principals and their practices is a testament to Barry Nilsson’s excellent reputation, strong performance and the quality of our people and culture,” Mr Murdoch said.

“Spread across three of our six national offices, we’re looking forward to welcoming Cameron, Jock, James, Carmen, Sophie and James and team members as part of our continued vision to have the best legal talent representing our clients and achieving the best outcomes.”

Mr Murdoch said the additions would significantly boost the firm’s ability to service its existing clients, while also broadening its practice specialties.

“Insurance has long been a key practice area for our firm, and we’ve seen a steady increase in demand for insurance law services over the past few years as a result of the rapidly-evolving risk landscape.

“Beyond strengthening our capacity to service our current clients in this environment, these teams bring additional expertise in warranties and indemnities, general commercial litigation and regulatory work, and add scale to our well established financial lines and casualty lines of business, significantly growing our insurance service offering.

“In line with the constant evolution and ongoing consolidation in the Australian legal market, we continue to stay alert to opportunities and when they present, carefully assess them from a strategic, financial and cultural perspective.”

Barry Nilsson Insurance Principal appointments:

• Cameron Maclean - Directors & Officers, Professional Indemnity and Insurance Litigation (Perth)
• Jock Campbell – Professional indemnity, Casualty, Statutory Prosecutions and Inquiries (Perth)
• Carmen Elder – Directors & Officers, Professional Indemnity, Inquiries and Statutory Prosecutions (Sydney)
• James Berg – Professional Indemnity, Public/Products Liability and Casualty (Sydney)
• James Morse – Transaction Liability / Warranty and Indemnity, Professional Indemnity and Insurance Litigation (Sydney)
• Sophie Devitt – Professional Indemnity, Directors & Officers, Inquiries, Statutory Prosecutions and Regulatory (Brisbane)