Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Andrew Jonklaas is a highly respected lawyer and a founding member of Piper Alderman’s Perth office. His diverse expertise spans employment relations, workplace health and safety, commercial law and dispute resolution, making him a trusted advisor across multiple sectors.
In the area of employment relations, Jonklaas advises businesses on both front-end strategic matters and back-end dispute resolution, representing clients in various courts and tribunals. His proficiency in workplace health and safety includes conducting investigations and audits, as well as representing clients in regulatory workplace prosecutions, both in defense and prosecution roles.
Recognised for his exceptional skills, Jonklaas was individually acknowledged as a Key Lawyer in the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Australian Legal 500 Rankings in both Labour and Employment and Workplace Health and Safety.
Known for his strategic, practical legal advice, he adds long-term value to his clients. He serves as general legal counsel for numerous businesses across diverse sectors, bringing extensive experience in commercial contract reviews, negotiations and complex commercial disputes and litigation.
A dedicated professional, Jonklaas is a member of several key industry bodies, including the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) Safety Committee and the Industrial Relations Society of Western Australia. He is also committed to giving back to the community, offering pro bono legal advice to associations and not-for-profit organisations.
Level 27, Exchange Tower, 2 The Esplanade, Perth, WA 6000
+61 8 9219 3605
ajonklaas@piperalderman.com.au
linkedin.com/in/andrew-jonklaas-9472a3aa
piperalderman.com.au
Andrew Jonklaas
Senior Associate
Piper Alderman
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“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2015–2019
2019–2021
2021
2024
Present
2015–2019: Various roles at Allion Partners, from Law Clerk to Solicitor
2016: Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia and High Court of Australia
2015–
2019
Promoted to Associate at Allion Partners
2019–
2021
Associate at Piper Alderman and Founding Member of Piper Alderman’s Perth office
2021
Recognised as a Key Lawyer in the 2024 edition of the Legal500 Asia Pacific rankings in Labour and Employment, Workplace Health and Safety
2024
Senior Associate at Piper Alderman since 2022
Recognised as a Key Lawyer in the 2025 edition of the Legal500 Asia Pacific rankings in Labour and Employment, Workplace Health and Safety
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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