Colin Biggers & Paisley celebrates largest round of senior promotions

Colin Biggers & Paisley (CBP) had recently announced its largest round of senior promotions in the firm’s history, with 14 lawyers recognised from various practices.

Four of the 14 lawyers will be promoted to partner, effective 1 January 2023. The addition of Patrick Cavanagh, Stuart McKenzie, Mathisha Panagoda and Georgina Wong brings CBP’s partner count to 75 across its offices in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Cavanagh’s practice focuses on professional indemnity, general liability and casualty claims. In particular, he acts for life insurers providing advice on policy coverage, and defending claims made under group policies issued to superannuation funds.

McKenzie has broad experience in commercial litigation, dispute resolution and debt recovery, having acted for and advised insolvency practitioners in relation to disputes under the Corporations Act, Bankruptcy Act and Personal Property and Securities Act.

Panagoda has acted for schools, religious institutions, disability service providers and insurers on claims of bodily injury, historical child sexual abuse, professional indemnity and general liability. His practice focuses on litigation, dispute resolution and managing end-to-end claims within a principled and outcome-focused framework.

Wong is skilled in public liability personal injury and workers' compensation claims, having advised on institutional liability, contractual indemnity, dust disease injuries and third-party recovery. She also has experience in civil litigation on matters before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and District and Supreme Courts.

Meanwhile, Shannon Blain, Leanne Dearlove, Christopher Harrison and Olivera Stojanovska will be promoted to special counsel; and Elyse Di Stefano, Megan Dudley, Jack Hamilton, Emma Haylock, Richard Martyn and Conor Sheridan to senior associate.

These promotions follow the recent appointments of special counsels John Douglas and April Campbell and senior associates Basel Houchar, Cammie Lee, Madonna Galeano, Azat Valiyff and Stephen Webb last month.