Patrick is Special Counsel in our Liability Team, known for his approachability and pragmatic advice driven by a keen attention to detail.
Experience & expertise
Patrick’s litigation experience spans across multiple jurisdictions, including the former NSW Workers Compensation Commission, the common law and residual jurisdictions of the District Court of NSW, the Supreme Court of NSW, NSW Court of Appeal, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Patrick’s practice is currently seated in public liability insurance, which includes strategically managing high volumes of institutional child abuse claims.
Patrick focusses on providing timely advice to clients with a view to resolving matters as quickly and cost effectively as possible. He is a relationship builder who is skilled in the use of alternative dispute resolution practices to facilitate best case outcomes.
Work highlights
Patrick assisted in the preparation of the successful special leave application to the High Court of Australia in ADCO Constructions Pty Limited v Goudappel [2014] HCA 18, a significant case involving the effects of the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act 2012 on existing claims for lump sum compensation, which ultimately led to scheme wide ramifications.
Whilst working in rural practice, Patrick assisted in the drafting and preparation of shareholder agreements and easements for the establishment and operation of a joint water scheme funded by landholders in western-NSW which brought regular water supply for stock and domestic purposes across an area of approximately 54,000 ha.
NSW Rural Fire Service:
Patrick has been a dedivated volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service since 2014. He has held rank as Senior Deputy Captain and is a former Brigade Predsident and Treasurer.
In 2023, Patrick was appointed by RDF Commissioner Rob Rogers AFSM as a Workplace Investigator (WI) under the Service’s new Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which was designed as part of a proactive and holistic approach to prevent sexual harrassment, bullying, discrimination, vilification, violence, and victimisation in the workplace.
Professional background
