Irena Ferraro

Irena is a Special Counsel in our Insurance and Health team and is based in the Perth office.

Irena specialises in:

• Workers’ Compensation
• General Liability

Irena has over 13 years’ experience specialising in insurance law and personal injury claims in Western Australia. Prior to working in defendant insurance litigation advising insurers, employers and self-insurers, Irena worked extensively in the area of plaintiff insurance litigation in the State and Federal Compensation Schemes. She was admitted to the WA legal profession in 2009 and has worked exclusively in the workers' compensation/personal injuries jurisdiction.

Irena appears regularly at WorkCover WA and has excellent advocacy skills and knowledge of WorkCover WA procedure. She has provided advice and representation to clients in relation to a range of statutory and common law issues and in addition to her work in the WorkCover and AAT jurisdictions, Irena's experience in the District Court has included settlement of multi-Defendant claims at pre-trial conference/mediation stages, and the management of complex common law claims to trial.

Irena's experience includes liability disputes in statutory claims and complex and catastrophic claims. She has a proven track record in strategic claim litigation to achieve excellent outcomes for her clients. In complex claims, Irena has the knowledge and skills to provide her clients with clear, accurate and reliable advice, having regard to all of the legal issues. Irena’s knowledge and experience in tactical claim management results in favorable outcomes to her client’s and considers early resolution of claims when appropriate.

"I take a realistic approach and always undertake a global assessment of my client’s strengths and weaknesses of their case. Understanding the level of risk to my client early allows me to assist my client in managing a claim to reduce their exposure. I enjoy an open line of communication with my clients and am always keen to discuss a claim to ensure its tracking and progress."

Irena’s strengths are in her experience in providing accurate liability and quantum advice (and representation) with respect to workers' compensation claims including:

• advising on quantum settlement and strategies, and the early assessment of legal risk in litigation;
• conducting liability and quantum investigations;
• resolving matters through informal negotiations; and
• conducting proceedings in the WorkCover WA Tribunal, the AAT, the District Court and the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal).

As well as her duties as a legal practitioner, Irena has been a panel member of WorkCover WA and has made significant contributions to the regulation of the Tribunal. She has been involved in reviewing proposed changes to the Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 and lodging submissions in regard to proposed amendments of the Act.

"Barry Nilsson is a highly regarded firm. By providing targeted services in the areas of insurance and family law, Barry Nilsson is able to deliver a specialised level of service to its client’s. The firms culture and values align so closely with my own and I am proud to be part of a progressive and dynamic firm."

Irena holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Politics and International Studies. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Australia & UK.