HBA Legal, part of Crawford & Company, has boosted its insurance team by appointing well-known Perth litigator Natasha Burn as a special counsel.

Burn, who joins HBA Legal after nine years with HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, has over 12 years of experience in the defendant insurance space and a strong reputation with major public and private insurers, the WA state government insurer, major hospitals, and large multinational corporations.

Commenting on her appointment, Burn said: “This is a law firm that approaches the insurance market in a new and innovative way. The intelligent industry solutions that HBA can offer clients as part of Crawford are compelling and offered under a totally different operating and service delivery model from anywhere else I've worked.

“The legal landscape in Australia is really starting to shift, and we are seeing a move towards models that genuinely put the customer at the core, so it's exciting to be a part of HBA and Crawford because they are at the forefront of this.”

Jason Spencer, the global president at Crawford Legal Service, said Burn is the firm's fourth significant recruit in recent months as the team grows the firm's capability.

“Crawford in Australia can offer a single supplier capability that spans the entire lifecycle of the claim, from initial notification of loss through to effective resolution, with legal support from HBA fully integrated into that process, as we fulfil our purpose to restore and enhance lives, businesses and communities. Clients who are using Crawford across the claim lifecycle are telling us it is game-changing,” Spencer continued.

HBA Legal managing director Brett Ablong added: “As a senior member of our team, Natasha is well equipped to have carriage of the day to day conduct of a large portfolio of medical malpractice, life insurance, industrial diseases, and product liability claims.”