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
Nandan Subramaniam is head of commercial at Zed Law.
For many, the bar represents the pinnacle. That was certainly the case for Subramaniam, who began his legal journey with a clear-eyed goal: to become a barrister and advocate for clients in court. But a pivotal detour changed everything.
“I took an in-house counsel role at a fast-growing Aussie start-up, and that experience was transformative,” he says. "Watching how businesses operate from the inside lit a fire in me – I realised I didn't just want to argue cases post-fact. I wanted to solve problems that businesses face in real-time."
That realisation led him to Zed Law, a next-generation legal practice that bills itself less as a traditional firm and more as a seamless extension of its clients’ teams. With direct communication channels via Slack and Teams, the model eschews formality in favour of agility, embedding lawyers in the day-to-day decision-making of clients.
This suits Subramaniam perfectly. He says, “It allows me to deliver practical, business-focused legal advice in real time. We’re not stuck in the old model; we’re evolving with our clients.”
But evolution comes with its own complexities. In an era where AI tools and legal automation are on the rise, the challenge is maintaining rigorous professional standards while pushing boundaries. At Zed Law, that balancing act is a daily reality.
“We’re constantly testing tech – AI for contract review, workflow automation, you name it,” explains Subramaniam. “But we only implement tools that enhance, not compromise. We pilot internally, learn and refine. It’s about being bold but disciplined.”
A standout moment in Subramaniam’s career was leading a client through a multi-million dollar cross-border joint venture, navigating a thicket of complex international legal frameworks. He says, “It was high stakes but incredibly rewarding. We didn’t just protect the client’s interests – we positioned them for long-term success. That’s the power of combining legal rigour with commercial pragmatism.”
That commercial mindset has become a hallmark of Subramaniam’s work. “If communication and delivery are spot-on, results follow,” he says. “That’s why I’m so passionate about legal tech – it changes the game for the process side of the equation.”
That adaptability and commercial acumen stem, in part, from a formative upbringing in an Indian migrant family. He says, “I was taught to work hard, stay curious and never settle. That mindset helped me absorb feedback and grow especially during my time at Ashurst, where the standards were incredibly high.”
Mentorship has been another critical driver. From early experiences under Christopher Maxwell QC at the Director of Public Prosecutions office to the pragmatic support of Ashurst partner Michael Sloan and the inspiring leadership of Sarah Davoren at payment fintech Zepto, each mentor helped shape Subramaniam’s approach to legal service: commercial, compassionate and client-focused.
Now recognised by AL as a Future Legal Leader, Subramaniam sees the accolade as a call to action. “I want to keep pushing boundaries, mentoring others and building better, more accessible models for legal service,” he says. “We owe it to the profession and to the next generation coming up behind us.”
Suite No. 108, Level 24, 3 International Towers, 300 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney, NSW 2000
+61 406 687 129
nandan@zed.law
linkedin.com/in/nandan-subramaniam-0b394ba4
zed.law
Nandan Subramaniam
Head of Commercial
Zed Law
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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
2018
2019
2022
2023
2024
Graduated with LLB (Honours) Bachelor of Economics (Distinction) at UNSW
Admitted as a legal practitioner
2018
Graduate at Ashurst
2019
Moved in-house to a scaling start-up in Byron Bay
2022
Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards (SME)
2023
Appointed Head of Commercial at Zed Law
2024
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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