Clyde & Co has strengthened its Australian insurance practice with the appointment of Janine Clark (pictured) as a partner in its Brisbane office, expanding its capabilities in casualty claims and personal injury litigation.
Clark, who has joined from a previous role with extensive experience in the London insurance market, will contribute to the firm’s casualty practice. Her work will cover personal injury, property damage, recovery actions, and insurance coverage matters.
Her background includes handling high-value claims for corporate clients, London market insurers, and public liability underwriters, with a particular focus on complex and catastrophic loss.
The move aligns with the firm’s wider strategy to enhance its insurance legal services in key markets.
Clyde & Co’s casualty practice supports insurers and insureds across an array of claim types, including motor vehicle, workers’ compensation, fraud, legacy liabilities, and institutional abuse. In Australia, the group frequently advises on multi-jurisdictional disputes and offers specialised incident response services.
Gareth Horne, who leads the firm’s insurance sector in Australia, said the addition of Clark supports a broader plan to deepen the firm’s offering.
“We have a clear vision to further enhance our offering across the core lines of insurance business in Australia. Janine has a deep connection with both the domestic and London markets, and her introduction, in the Brisbane office, will add further depth and technical excellence to our casualty practice,” he said.
Insurance partner Luke O’Kane said that the firm had experienced considerable growth in casualty matters.
“We have seen significant growth in the casualty space over the past two years, and clients continue to rely on us for their most complex work. Bringing Janine into the team enables us to further grow the practice while fully servicing our existing, long-standing client base,” he said.
Rebecca Kelly, Clyde & Co’s Australia managing partner, added that the firm is prioritising growth in areas aligned with client needs.
“It is an exciting time to welcome Janine to the partnership. We continue to invest in the insurance sector where we anticipate growing client demand and to bolster our teams with high-performing lateral talent,” she said.
Clark said she was looking forward to contributing to the practice.
“I am delighted to join a leading global insurance firm and contribute to the team’s future successes assisting clients with their high-profile, complex matters,” she said.
Clark’s appointment comes at a time when P&C insurers globally are adapting to significant structural changes, particularly those linked to climate-related disasters and macroeconomic volatility.
McKinsey’s Global Insurance Report 2025 outlined how premium volumes in the personal lines P&C segment rose by 9.5% between 2022 and 2023, with most of the growth coming from rate hikes in developed markets. Yet, the report noted that insurance penetration remains below pre-COVID levels and the gap between mature and emerging markets has widened.
Affordability challenges, particularly in high-risk regions, are prompting insurers to innovate and reevaluate product offerings. This includes leveraging technology and strengthening internal capabilities in claims management and litigation. Clyde & Co’s global casualty practice uses AI-powered systems to assist insurers with fraud detection, benchmarking, and improving claims outcomes.
Despite optimism about the potential of AI, consumer trust remains uneven. According to a GlobalData survey, while many respondents believe AI can enhance service response times and pattern recognition, concerns persist about fairness, transparency, and data security.
