Meet our Staff
Martello Law is staffed across three offices with specialist insurance lawyers who have top tier and global firm insurance experience, acting as both coverage and defence counsel and risk management specialists for local and international insurance companies and Lloyd’s syndicates.
Our Origins
Martello Law provides specialised insurance defence services, in a unique model where our experienced lawyers handle matters from initial notification until trial, if necessary. We have a service agreement with insurance capacity providers (domestic Australian insurers and Lloyd’s Underwriters) to provide legal services to their insured and broker clients, frequently, at no cost for our services for the insured clients. We love to defend unmeritorious claims.
Our Unparalleled Services
Martello Law assists all of the insured clients of its insurance capacity providers with timely, expert advice in responding to claims, complaints and regulatory issues. Martello Law is able to provide timely assistance in relation to all matters to which a policy may respond, prior to any claim being made and in order to mitigate the risk of claims.
Our Brisbane Team
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Michael Wood
PRINCIPAL
Michael Wood has been a lawyer since 1986 with nearly 40 years of experience. He is a seasoned insurance and reinsurance litigation lawyer.
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Maria Kearney
LEGAL PRACTITIONER DIRECTOR
Maria has over 30 years of experience defending professional negligence claims and other financial lines claims in Australia and the United Kingdom.
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Jason Savage
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Jason is an experienced professional indemnity insurance solicitor and litigation specialist.
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Juliet Spencer
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Juliet has over 30 years of experience in corporate governance and legal advisory roles. As a former director, she has a wealth of knowledge in board and regulatory matters.
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Kerry Spies
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Kerry has over 15 years’ cross-border experience in dispute resolution. She specialises in Professional Indemnity matters and focuses on obtaining resolutions which maintain relationships.
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Yen Tran
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Yen specialises in Professional Indemnity and Public Liability claims, with accolades for her professionalism, including being named one of the Top Young Insurance Professionals in 2023.
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Alexandria Pearman
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Alexandria is an experienced advocate specializing in corporate insurance. She excels at balancing clients' commercial, reputational, and insurable interests.
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Andrew Jarrett
ASSOCIATE
Andrew began his legal career in 2020, after a number of years working in the insurance industry. He returned to the Martello Law team after gaining experience in other commonwealth jurisdictions.
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Kyle Naicker
ASSOCIATE
Kyle has been practicing law since 2021, with experience in a range of areas of law before finding his passion in insurance law. He operates with a focus on efficiency and client outcomes, and prides himself on approaching matters with both practicality and proficiency.
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Hayley Walker
SOLICITOR
Hayley was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in September 2025. She has a strong interest in advocacy and is committed to delivering pragmatic, client focused strategies.
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Kendra Ciccotti
SOLICITOR
Kendra was admitted as a solicitor in December 2024. She is a passionate insurance lawyer, with experience in professional indemnity and public liability claims.
Our Sydney Team
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Alison Corcoran
LEGAL PRACTITIONER DIRECTOR
Alison has specialised in litigation, dispute resolution, and advisory work. Alison is a past President and Treasurer of the QLD Australian PI Group.
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Henry Bourke
PRINCIPAL SOLICITOR
Henry qualified as a barrister in Ireland before requalifying as a solicitor in Australia. He has extensive professional indemnity and personal injury experience.
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Emma Harriott
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Emma has over 10 years’ experience. She specialises in Financial Lines, providing expert advice and effective solutions.
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Jacqueline Cassar
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Jacqueline was admitted as a solicitor in 2013. She has extensive experience in insurance litigation, particularly in defending public liability claims involving personal injury and property damage. Jacqueline also has experience in representing plaintiffs in public liability claims for personal injury and claims for work injury damages.
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Sarah Basarge
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Sarah has practised in PI insurance litigation since 2014, both in NZ and Australia. She specialises in advice and defending claims against professionals.
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Claudia Hackett
SOLICITOR
Claudia is a dedicated legal professional with sharp skills and a strong passion for advocacy. With over three years’ experience in the Martello Law team, Claudia has assisted on multiple litigated claims from start to finish.
Our Melbourne Team
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Mark Beech
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Mark has been in the industry for the last 10 years, with extensive experience in providing outstanding legal services across various sectors.
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Chloe Raleigh
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Chloe has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years. She specialises in managing professional negligence and other financial lines claims, focusing on efficient and practical outcomes for clients.
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Avi Sharma
SOLICITOR
Avi is experienced in civil litigation with a particular interest in complex torts, including property damage, public liability and professional indemnity claims. He adopts a pragmatic, client-focused approach to dispute resolution underpinned by a strong commitment to advocacy.
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Carlee Lam
SOLICITOR
Carlee is experienced in civil litigation, specialising in personal injury and insurance disputes.
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Srichikha Sundaram
SOLICITOR
Srichikha has experience in building and property disputes and government policy, providing a strong foundation for advising on insurance and complex commercial disputes.
Our Accolades
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Martello Law — Leading Professional Indemnity Firm Doyle’s Guide 2025
Martello Law — Recommended Professional Indemnity Firm Doyle’s Guide 2025
ANZIIF 2025 Australian Insurance Industry Awards Finalists — Martello Law
Michael Wood – Leading Professional Indemnity Lawyer, Queensland 2025
Maria Kearney – Recommended Professional Indemnity Lawyer, Queensland 2025
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Woodina Law (now Martello Law) — Leading Professional Indemnity Firm Doyle’s Guide 2024
Michael Wood — Leading Professional Indemnity Lawyers Doyle’s Guide 2024
Alison Corcoran, Maria Kearney — Recommended Professional Indemnity Lawyers Doyle’s Guide 2024
Nominated for ANZIIF Claims Team of the Year and Michael Wood CEO of the Year
Nominated for Insurance Business Awards Claims Team of the Year
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Woodina Law (now Martello Law) — Recommended Professional Indemnity Firm Doyle’s Guide 2023
Alison Corcoran, Maria Kearney & Michael Wood — Recommended Professional Indemnity Lawyers Doyle’s Guide 2023
Nominated for ANZIIF Claims Team of the Year, Yen Tran for Young Insurance Professional of the Year
Nominated for Insurance Business Awards Claims Team of the Year
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Winner of Insurance Business Awards Claims Team of the Year
View our latest accomplishments
“Proud to announce that we have been nominated as a finalist for Insurance Business Australia's AAMC Claims Team of the Year! ✨
Congratulations to the other nominees and a massive well done to the entire Martello/ Woodina Law team, for your tireless work and dedication to our profession and clients!”
