Barry Nilsson sets ambitious strategic focus on technology, innovation and the ‘best and brightest’ in new three-year plan

Leading national law firm Barry Nilsson has finalised its three-year strategic plan for 2026-2028, with technology, innovation and professional development cemented as centrepieces that will strengthen its expertise in the high-demand areas of Insurance & Health and Family Law, Wills & Estates.

Barry Nilsson Chairperson and Insurance & Health Principal Peter Murdoch said the new three-year strategy consolidates the firm’s longstanding focus on delivering specialist legal services underpinned by a clear client-first approach.

“This strategic plan is a natural extension of the firm’s direction over the past decade and identifies new opportunities for us to meet the increasing demand for specialist legal services while growing and deepening the expertise of our teams to best meet the needs of the evolving legal landscape, and importantly, the needs of our clients,” Mr Murdoch said.

A priority focus on embedding the latest advancements in legal technology and innovation across the business underpins the firm’s future-focused strategy - from Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven research tools to cutting-edge case management systems, as well as an ambitious target for adoption of AI across the firm.

“It’s important that we keep pace with emerging technologies – we want to capitalise on opportunities that ensure our people are able to take advantage of efficiencies and focus on delivering outstanding client service.

“This includes continuing to leverage the data insights available to us and investing in the appropriate training and skills development to support our people to better use AI and technology.

“We recognise that data integrity, cyber security, and regulatory compliance are front of mind for our clients, and this remains central to our approach. Our AI Working Group will continue to carefully examine a range of AI products, ensuring we balance these requirements with the opportunity to deliver greater efficiencies for both legal professionals and business services staff, along with improved outcomes for our clients.” Mr Murdoch said.

The new strategy follows a period of significant growth for the firm with Barry Nilsson’s headcount increasing by 43 per cent since 1 January 2023 – the start of the firm’s previous strategic plan. Most recently, this includes the addition of six new Principals and their established insurance practices to the firm late last year, expanding BN’s specialist insurance law offering and reinforcing the firm’s continued focus on growth for the years ahead.

“Our extraordinary growth over the last three years is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to not only attracting and retaining the best and brightest people to act for our clients but ensuring they have ample opportunity to grow within their roles to achieve their full potential and deliver excellent outcomes for our clients,” Mr Murdoch said.

“This includes our continued focus on diversity and inclusion as we build on our achievement of 40 per cent female representation at leadership level, as well as our commitment to driving environmental awareness and sustainability through our Impact project.”

The refreshed strategy comes as Barry Nilsson welcomes Principal Nicholas Andrew as the firm’s new Head of Insurance & Health, succeeding longstanding Principal Rhett Kennedy after his retirement at the end of 2025.

Mr Andrew joined Barry Nilsson in 2014 to establish the Sydney office – marking the first phase of the firm’s national expansion – and has since played an instrumental role in the growth of Barry Nilsson’s Insurance & Health practice in New South Wales.

A member of Barry Nilsson’s Board of Management since 2022, Mr Andrew oversees a large team specialising in professional indemnity, financial lines, liability, property damage, and construction and engineering matters. His depth of experience in defending complex and high‑profile claims, along with extensive policy coverage advisory work, has helped him build strong and trusted client relationships across both the Australian and London markets.