Jonathan Sumskas

Jonathan is an experienced insurance and disputes lawyer, specialising in professional indemnity insurance. He acts for Australian and international insurers in both defence and coverage roles on complex, high‑value claims, with a particular focus on construction-related disputes.

Jonathan’s experience spans both defending claims and prosecuting recoveries, giving him a well‑rounded appreciation of the practical and strategic issues on all sides of a dispute. He regularly defends professional negligence claims and conducts regulatory enquiries involving various construction and design professionals.

Additionally, he has experience acting for a wide range of other professionals, including those in financial services (planners, accountants, and brokers), IT professionals, strata managers, not-for-profit/industry bodies, and real estate agents and claims arising out of the professional functions of Municipal Authorities. Jonathan also advises on coverage issues arising from major construction and infrastructure projects, including road tunnels, hospitals, and motorways.

'For me, the most rewarding thing about insurance law is the opportunity to provide meaningful, day‑to‑day value to clients. The work is varied and often complex, requiring close engagement with a range of stakeholders to successfully resolve challenging issues. Beyond the technical side, I take particular satisfaction in making things easier for clients – whether that’s by simplifying complexity or tailoring my approach to reflect their specific pressures and priorities, and how they like to operate.'

Jonathan focuses on how his clients operate and what they are seeking to achieve. He prides himself on delivering genuinely excellent service to his clients, ensuring his advice is practical, commercially focused, and aligned with their objectives.