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 began life as Woodina Law. Woodina had a unique inhouse law firm model, a captive law firm servicing all of Woodina Underwriting Agency’s claims needs.
Martello Law takes off from where Woodina began, continuing to provide the same excellent service to insureds and expanding their offering to other underwriting agencies and business partners.
Our Unparalleled Services
Martello Law assists insureds of its subscribing underwriting agencies with all claims matters whether that be reservation of rights assistance at the notification stage to prevent a claim developing, through to defending claims both litigated and unlitigated and providing general risk management guidance.
Our team of fully qualified and specialist insurance lawyers across three offices pride themselves on being a leading provider of full and complete claims and risk services, having the experience to manage a claim from its beginning through to the end of trial, if necessary.
Our Brisbane Team
-
Michael Wood
PRINCIPAL
Michael Wood has been a lawyer since 1986, giving him nearly 40 years of experience. He is a seasoned insurance and reinsurance litigation lawyer.
-
Maria Kearney
LEGAL PRACTITIONER DIRECTOR
Maria has over 20 years of experience defending professional negligence claims and other financial lines claims in Australia and the United Kingdom.
-
Emma Cameron
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Emma is a dispute resolution lawyer with over 15 years of experience defending and resolving insurance disputes and providing advice on coverage issues.
-
Jason Savage
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Jason is an experienced professional indemnity insurance solicitor and litigation specialist. His prior experience at Carter Newell guides his expertise today.
-
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 legal counsel.
-
Yen Tran
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Yen is specialised in PI and PL, with accolades for her professionalism, including being named one of the Top Young Insurance Professionals in 2023.
-
Andrew Jarrett
ASSOCIATE
Andrew began his legal career in 2020. He recently returned to the Martello team after a stint at Klein Lawyers LLP, bringing with him a strong background in litigation.
-
Alexandria Pearman
ASSOCIATE
Alexandria is an experienced advocate specializing in corporate insurance. She excels at balancing clients' commercial, reputational, and insurable interests.
-
Melanie Karibasic
SOLICITOR
Melanie has earned invaluable expertise from her years in the industry, which greatly contributes to her refined abilities to manage complex legal matters.
Our Sydney Team
-
Alison Corcoran
LEGAL PRACTITIONER DIRECTOR
Alison is a past President and Treasurer of the QLD Australian PI Group. Alison has specialised in litigation, dispute resolution, and advisory work.
-
Henry Bourke
SPECIAL COUNSEL
Henry is a former barrister from Ireland. He brings extensive expertise in PI, and Personal Injury, providing clients with exceptional legal insight.
-
Emma Harriott
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Emma has over 10 years’ experience, the last three as a Senior Associate. She specialises in Financial Lines, providing expert advice and effective solutions.
-
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.
-
Taylah Schrader
ASSOCIATE
Taylah is a solicitor specialising in insurance law with a background in civil litigation, administrative law, and migration law.
-
Nadja Salzmann
SOLICITOR
Nadja is a dedicated legal professional with experience since 2021. A QUT graduate, she brings sharp skills and a strong commitment to justice to our team.
Our Melbourne Team
-
Mark Beech
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Mark has been in the industry for the last 10 years, with extensive experience in providing outstanding legal services across various sectors.
-
Adem Murtic
SOLICITOR
Adem has been a lawyer since 2019, specialising in construction litigation, where he applies his expertise to navigate complex legal challenges in the industry.
-
Vesna Koteska Frederiksen
ASSOCIATE
Vesna brings experience across claims advisory and litigation, having worked with Marsh McLennan, Honan, and Barry Nilsson. She brings a sharp and pragmatic mind to the team.
Our Accolades
-
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
-
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
-
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!”
