Gemma Cooper

Full Profile

Gemma has extensive experience acting as defence counsel in claims arising under directors’ and officers’, professional indemnity and management liability policies.  She has represented a range of national and international clients on a variety of disputes, including complex multi-party claims and class actions.

She also has significant experience in advising on coverage and acting as monitoring counsel, working alongside insurers to develop and effect strategies to resolve coverage disputes and litigated matters the subject of indemnity.

Gemma has undertaken secondments at multinational insurers in Sydney and London supporting both claims and underwriting teams.  This has provided Gemma with a unique understanding of the relationships between insurers, brokers and insureds, which she utilises in her approach to client service.  In this regard, Gemma is pragmatic in her approach to matters with a focus on achieving commercial results in a timely manner. 

Experience

• Acted for one of Australia's major banks in the defence of class actions arising out of the collapse of debenture schemes.
• Acted as coverage and monitoring counsel in respect of a number of related proceedings, including a securities class action that concerned breaches of directors duties, continuous disclosure and misleading and deceptive conduct
• Acted for directors and officers with respect to investigations by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and liquidators, including section 19 (ASIC) examinations.
• Acted on behalf of a director in the defence of a claim concerning alleged breaches of directors’ duties.
• Acted for a rail operator in relation to property damage caused by a derailment.
• Acted for a client defending a work health and safety prosecution arising from an injury to a person during loading and unloading of freight.
• Acted for construction contractors in relation to property damage claims.
• Advised underwriters in respect of double insurance issues arising from multiple contract works policies.
• Advised underwriters in respect of coverage concerning a claim for indemnity by an ASX listed company with losses estimated in excess of AUD 100 million.
• Advised on policy wordings across various lines of insurance.