HBA Legal launches OH&S service with senior appointment
Date: March 18, 2021
MEDIA RELEASE: HBA Legal, part of Crawford & Company®, the world’s largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management and outsourcing solutions, has announced the launch of its occupational health and safety (OH&S) service with the appointment of Jamie McPherson as a partner.
The OH&S service will offer a comprehensive range of legal services spanning all aspects of workplace safety and compliance. It will also provide expert legal representation in courts and tribunals, and strategic legal advice relating to claims and rehabilitation management.
McPherson brings over 25 years of legal experience to the role. He is a recognised leader in the areas of workplace safety and employment law, as well as in the field of workers’ compensation, and has acted for Workcover Queensland throughout his entire career. Most recently, McPherson was managing director at DWF Australia.
Commenting on the announcement, HBA Legal Director, Nathan Hepple said: “At HBA Legal, we are constantly seeking opportunities to expand the scope of our legal services. The OH&S arena is naturally aligned to our existing expertise and we see significant opportunity to bring the unique legal approach that we offer to clients in this sector. Jamie is the ideal choice to lead this new service. His extensive experience and breadth of expertise will be central to our ability to grow our presence in this highly competitive sector.”
McPherson added: “I am delighted to be joining HBA Legal at such a pivotal point in its ongoing expansion. The OH&S sector is a dynamic environment which demands a very technical and responsive legal approach. The services and solutions we offer clients are highly compelling and are provided through a unique operating and delivery model which places the customer experience at the core.”
The announcement demonstrates HBA Legal’s ongoing commitment to expanding and enhancing its capabilities. McPherson’s appointment follows the announcements that Damian Hegarty and Courtney Steele joined the law firm’s Brisbane office as partners in February and January, respectively.
Hepple commented: “Our acquisition by Crawford in November 2020 has added significant impetus to our growth plans. Through the acquisition, Crawford is now able to provide a single service capability that spans all stages of the claims lifecycle from initial notification of loss through to effective resolution, with legal support fully integrated into that lifecycle. In turn, we are also able to provide clients with greater choice and create what we view as a truly game-changing offering in business-critical areas such as recoveries, fraud and litigation management.”
Ends
Media contact:
Sarah Tempest, Head of Communications (Crawford Legal Services)
0402 946 603
sarah.tempest@hbalegal.com
About Crawford®
Based in Atlanta, Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRD‐A and CRD‐B) is the world’s largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management and outsourcing solutions to carriers, brokers and corporations with an expansive global network serving clients in more than 70 countries. The Company’s two classes of stock are substantially identical, except with respect to voting rights and the Company’s ability to pay greater cash dividends on the non-voting Class A Common Stock (CRD-A) than on the voting Class B Common Stock (CRD-B), subject to certain limitations. In addition, with respect to mergers or similar transactions, holders of CRD-A must receive the same type and amount of consideration as holders of CRD-B, unless different consideration is approved by the holders of 75 percent of CRD-A, voting as a class. More information is available at www.crawco.com.
About and Crawford Legal Services™
Trusted by brokers, corporates and insurers for over 75 years, Crawford & Company conceived its law firm vision in 2016.
Crawford Legal Services was born out of changing market conditions and an increasing trend by Crawford’s global customers to favour supplier consolidation. Put simply, clients wanted more from their legal service providers and better value for money.
Starting in the UK in 2017, building a law firm from the ground-up and implanting it within the UK Crawford operation, as a ‘proof of concept’ succeeded. From there, Crawford has acquired law firms in other countries which are market leaders in their respective countries when it comes to claims and insurance related challenges or when disaster/accident or incident strikes.
Crawford & Company (Australia) Pty Limited acquired HBA Legal in November 2020 as part of this strategy to build a truly integrated global law firm. The business model of Crawford owned law firms, like HBA Legal, is that they can also operate as a standalone firm for clients who don’t need the integrated ‘OneCrawford’ connected claims solution.
www.crawco.com.au www.hbalegal.com