6 December 2021

We are delighted to announce that Stephen Williams, Vidal Hockless and Anne Wood have joined us as partners in our Perth practice.  All are experienced partners and lawyers, and bring with them their teams from highly respected firm Kott Gunning.  Stephen and Vidal will join our Insurance Practice and Anne will lead our Local Government Practice.

Stephen’s practice covers a range of insurance related matters, acting almost exclusively for defendants (insurers and employers), principally in the workers’ compensation and public liability areas. Stephen also has an asbestos litigation practice and is currently advising on silicosis claims arising out of the artificial stone industry.

Vidal has held senior roles in Kott Gunning’s insurance and safety & employment teams. He currently practices in the areas of workers' compensation, casualty/liability, and workplace health and safety. His clients include insurers, brokers, overseas underwriters, local authorities, public and private companies and local businesses.

Anne acts on local government matters, and provides advice and representation in connection with statutory interpretation, building and construction, occupational health and safety, planning and development, litigation and administrative law. Anne routinely appears in court in relation to Building Act 2011 (WA) and Planning and Development Act 2005 (WA) prosecutions and appeals. In addition she acts for government agencies in relation to governance and procedural fairness matters and freedom of information matters.

Stephen comments “We were looking for a firm that would be the right fit for our clients, our team and ultimately for us here in Western Australia, so we are pleased to be joining such an established firm as Moray & Agnew.”

Managing Partner of Moray & Agnew Perth’s office Phil Keays says “The skillsets and capabilities Stephen, Vidal and Anne bring to our practice complement what we do, add to our firm’s local government expertise and add extra strength and depth to the ways in which we look after our clients. It is an exciting time to bring such senior and respected practitioners into the partnership, and ultimately good for all of our clients and our teams.”

Pictured Above (L-R): Vidal Hockless, Anne Wood, Phil Keays (Perth Managing Partner) and Stephen Williams