Matt is a senior construction and insurance litigator with over 15 years experience in private practice. He is regularly briefed by in-house counsel and risk managers to conduct litigation arising from complex infrastructure and construction projects, and regularly advises on
- public liability and professional indemnity generally;
- policy coverage issues;
- the interpretation of contractual indemnity and insurance procurement clauses; and
- rights, interests and liabilities under contract.
Prior to joining Saltwater Insurance Consultants in 2011, Matt had a well-rounded legal career involving extensive “hands on” courtroom experience, with roles as a Plaintiff lawyer, Senior Associate at DLA Piper (formerly Phillips Fox) and Partner in a Sydney based boutique insurance law firm. Matt was part of the Phillips Fox team that conducted defense work on behalf of Multiplex Limited (on instructions from Chris Stannage) in matters ranging from small claims to applications for leave to appeal to the High Court.
Matt has worked across most major lines of insurance, but has focused on building and construction and occupier’s liability claims for multi-national head contractors and national sub contractors, large occupiers and national service providers. In particular, Matt focuses on acting for clients that have significant “skin in the game” by way of large self-insured retentions or deductibles.
Matt takes a sensible and commercial approach to litigation, using his experience and thorough investigation of claims to resolve matters through alternative dispute resolution. His aim is to extract clients from litigation as quickly and cheaply as possible, while protecting the brand and image of his corporate clients. In the course of investigations, Matt also provides guidance and advice on risk management for clients to avoid future claims, and on aligning indemnity provisions in head and subcontracts with insurance provisions to ensure consistency and future risk management.
Matt can be contacted on:
p: 02 9283 3003
m: 0412 443 466
e: mgerathy@saltwaterinsurance.com
Qualifications
Dip.Law (Solicitors Admission Board, NSW)
Admitted to practice in NSW in 2001 and the High Court of Australia in 2005.
Professional Associations
Law Society of NSW
Claims Discussion Group, NSW
Australian Insurance Law Association
Professional Indemnity Forum, NSW
Australian Lawyers Surfing Association