Recognised as the inimitable expert in Australia on the interplay between construction and insurance law, Laina was a finalist for Lawyers Weekly Australian Barrister of the Year for both 2019 and 2020. She is the “goto” counsel in property law, conveyancing and lease disputes. For example, the recent case of West v Goyal [2021] NSWSC 526 has created “new law” that will benefit all residents and former occupants of retirement villages going forward. Rest assured that Laina will design the best strategy to achieve favourable client outcomes.
She has represented many building and construction professionals including engineers, architects, surveyors, town planners, builders and sub-contractors.
Long association with professional indemnity matters with a wide range of insurers including CGU professional risks, QBE, Allianz, Liberty Underwriting and Suncorp
Worked on several significant insurance coverage disputes where the fundamental issues have been the ability of the insurer to rely upon the dishonesty & fraud.
Laina has acted in a wide range of commercial disputes that have involved significant sums of money. Although not always the case, commercial disputes generally
Provide successful resolution of these property disputes, which can become bitter and entrenched particularly if they involve neighbours