Bert Smallbone

Bert has worked in insurance since his admission in October 2020, specialising in dispute resolution and coverage advice, with a focus on professional indemnity, management liability, and casualty.

Bert advises on professional negligence, contractual disputes, defamation, and directors’ liability claims, reflecting his comprehensive understanding of the insurance landscape and the unique challenges faced by each profession. He also defends claims involving regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, including work health and safety prosecutions.

Bert represents insurers and their insureds in a wide variety of disputes, working across all jurisdictions in Western Australia. His client base is diverse, including accountants, architects, builders, engineers, financial service providers, government agencies, company directors and officers, as well as mining companies.

‘Insurance requires understanding the core nature of different industries as well as the specific circumstances of each business. Without that understanding, it is difficult to return insured clients to their individual businesses in the most pragmatic way possible. My approach to claims is at all times consistent with that understanding.’

Bert adopts a listening-first approach to all matters, ensuring he fully understands his clients’ goals and any underlying motivations or themes. By prioritising open communication and collaboration, Bert distils complex issues and align strategies with stakeholder objectives. This approach enables him to achieve optimal outcomes for his clients.