Headquarters:

Chatswood, Northern Beaches and Newcastle

Year founded:

2011

Number of employees:

40+

Phone:

02 9916 9600

Email:

admin@gairlegal.com.au

Website:

gairlegal.com.au

LinkedIn:

au.linkedin.com/company/gair-legal

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Jennifer Gair

Managing Partner

Rosie Petrolo

Partner

Alice Davis

Partner

Leadership

Jennifer Gair is highly regarded as a leading expert in all aspects of workers’ compensation. She is an accredited specialist in personal injury law and an expert in litigation, mediation, effective dispute resolution and negotiation. Jennifer has had significant success in court litigation, including acting in multiple matters before the Supreme Court and the NSW Court of Appeal. Jennifer has successfully managed positive and practical outcomes in common law, recovery and workers’ compensation claims. She is the lawyer of choice to handle high profile and politically sensitive claims on behalf of large businesses and government agencies.

Managing Partner

Jennifer Gair

Rosie Petrolo initially gained experience in the workers’ compensation area, working for a plaintiff law firm. She is experienced in providing advice and representation on both physical and psychological injuries. She has significant experience defending catastrophic claims, including fatalities and brain injuries. Rosie is an experienced litigator in the District Court and Supreme Court of NSW, defending complex claims involving multi-party actions, complex liability and indemnity issues. She is recognised for her strong advocacy and negotiation skills in achieving the most commercial outcome for insurer clients. She has significant expertise in managing stakeholder relations in complex claims.

Partner

Rosie Petrolo

Alice Davis has practised exclusively in workers’ compensation, acting for both plaintiffs and defendants. She is an expert in alternative dispute resolution and has extensive experience acting for respondents in the Personal Injury Commission. She has also previously assisted in establishing a Commonwealth compensation scheme for a uniquely identified class of injured workers. Alice has substantial experience in litigation, including in NSW, Victoria and the Federal jurisdiction. She regularly appears in the District Court, Supreme Court, Personal Injury Commission and Administrative Appeals Tribunal. She focuses on practical and strategic outcomes, and has exceptional legal knowledge and interpersonal skills.

Partner

Alice Davis

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

“We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Leadership

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Jay Halai, Minarah College

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Leadership

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Stephen Hodges

Partner

Stephen Hodges has 25 years of experience specialising in insurance law, focusing on advising employers in workers’ compensation, employer liability and CTP claims. He manages a wide portfolio of complex claims across various states and territories. He is an accredited specialist in personal injury law. In addition to his personal injury experience, he maintains an employment practice, advising and representing employers. Stephen acts for scheme agents, self-insurers and specialised insurers defending claims for work injury damages, including multi-party disputes. He is an accomplished presenter and has conducted numerous seminars, briefings, mock trials, webinars and training for workers’ compensation stakeholders.

Partner

Stephen Hodges

Christie Blake

Partner

Christie Blake is an experienced litigator in workers’ compensation. She has extensive experience in providing advice and representing the interests of employers and insurers in both statutory workers’ compensation and common law claims. She regularly appears in the Personal Injury Commission, and in the District Court and Supreme Court of NSW. Christie is proficient in providing advice across all standard and highly complex matters. She regularly defends psychiatric claims, industrial deafness claims, serious injury claims and complex lump-sum compensation claims. Her level-headed attitude ensures that she is able to skilfully negotiate successful outcomes.

Partner

Christie Blake

These prestigious awards are testament to Ormiston College’s ongoing commitment to innovation and 21st century pedagogy. The college delivers teaching and learning programs that develop learners who think flexibly, work independently and collaboratively, take risks, solve real-world problems and demonstrate higher-order thinking skills. Recognition in these national awards provides an opportunity to showcase the progress made each year and to celebrate the people and teamwork at the centre of Ormiston College’s operations. A unique, award-winning teaching and learning framework provides a common language which students, teachers and parents use to communicate and share their understanding of quality teaching and learning at Ormiston College. The college believes that a strong emphasis on using technology to improve learning outcomes encourages students to embrace new ways of thinking for the 21st century.

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Anthony Cummins

Director

Jacqui Zervos

Executive Director, Educational Innovation

Rebecca Campbell

Head of Middle School

Inma Beaumont

Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations

Anthony Cummins became a Chartered Accountant in 1989. He has held senior management roles with large international companies such as Leighton Holdings, Ansett International, WMC (Western Mining), Caltex, Orica and SP Ausnet. He has significant experience in business strategy and implementation, financial and operational management, organisational structure, profitability maximisation, IT infrastructure, winning business tenders, client relationships and business wealth creation. Anthony presides over all Gair Legal’s non-legal functions and has successfully led the Gair Legal team through a substantial but managed period of growth.

Director

Anthony Cummins

Jacqui Zervos joined the School in 1995 as a teacher of geography and history, having completed her initial teacher qualification at The University of Queensland in 1987 and then spending seven years teaching with Education Queensland. She is well known as a passionate and exemplary teacher of geography and took on the position of head of year in 2001. During the following five years as head of year, Jacqui completed her Master of Education at UQ with a major study into boys’ education. She was appointed head of middle school in 2006. In 2018, she was seconded to her current position and in 2020 was confirmed as executive director, educational innovation on a permanent basis from 2021.

Executive Director, Educational Innovation

Jacqui Zervos

Rebecca Campbell joined BGS in mid-2013 as the School’s first head of Years 5 and 6. She has spent the past 15 years working in GPS boys’ schools. A dedicated educator, she is committed to creating a positive learning culture that supports the holistic development of each student. Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Newcastle, where she completed a master’s degree specialising in educating boys. In recent years, she has attained a Professional Certificate in Instructional Leadership through the University of Melbourne. Rebecca fulfilled the head of middle school role in Term 1 2017 and from 2018 to 2020. She was appointed to the position of head of middle school in 2021.

Head of Middle School

Rebecca Campbell

Inma Beaumont joined BGS at the beginning of 2020. She is an experienced advancement professional, having implemented fundraising and engagement operations for three different units over six years at The University of Queensland. Inma led the fundraising campaign to renovate the Forgan Smith Building, home to the TC Beirne School of Law at UQ. She subsequently spent three years as director of advancement at the UQ Faculty of Health, where she conceived and delivered a major gifts program. Her fundraising experience follows a 15-year career in finance, including as CFO of Citibank Australia. She is a non-executive director of UN Women Australia, Speech Pathology Australia and Women’s College at UQ.

Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations

Inma Beaumont

Diana Godfrey joined Fidelity in 1995, and is currently the senior vice-president, human resources and corporate affairs. She has 27 years of industry experience and has driven innovation and transformative changes to employee benefits, talent development, charitable and diversity and inclusion programs, which have strengthened Fidelity Canada’s position as a top caring employer. She championed the implementation of Fidelity Canada’s value proposition, committed to improving the employee experience to meet their individual needs and the community at large. Fidelity Canada has been recognized with multiple employer awards and designations, which celebrate its work culture and atmosphere, corporate philanthropic initiatives, and health and benefits, to name just a few.

Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs

Diana Godfrey (she/her/hers)

Cameron Murray is the senior vice president, client services and CIO for Fidelity Investments Canada ULC. In this capacity, he oversees both technology and operations for the organization in Canada. He joined Fidelity in December 1999 as Vice President, Systems Operations. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for FundSERV, where he has been an executive committee and board member since 2002. He is also on the board of directors for Fidelity Investments Canada ULC.

Senior Vice President, Client Services and Chief Information Officer

Cameron Murray

Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation of the company’s internal customer service department.

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Sarah M Stewart

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Karen Bannister, CM

Vice President, Marketing

Dave Longbottom

Chief Technology Officer

Alex Ventura

Head of Marketing

Damian Palovick

Senior Vice President of Underwriting AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Dr. Mary Lavoie

Head of Risk Management and Senior Vice President AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Mark Bernacki

Chief Underwriting Officer

Ryan Armijo

Chief Operating Officer, Underwriting Division

Bob Petrilli

President, Underwriting Division

“The focus now is on differentiation and development of Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). There is documented planning on differentiation to ensure the students who are struggling are being catered for and those who are above average are being challenged to do better,” he says. “Furthermore, staff now engage in making data-driven decisions to make programs and learning sequences. Lessons are no longer based on ‘one hat – fits all’, each lesson now has differentiated tasks.” Halai says the syllabus outcome is now achieved through differentiated tasks that are aligned to the student capabilities and learning needs. “Lessons are delivered through interactive smartboards; hence, teachers have the opportunity to cater for visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners,” he says. “With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines.” Halai says staff development is highly focused on enhancement of ICT skills through regular professional learning with Microsoft Teams. “The success stories on Deep Learning from classrooms were shared by the staff as part of professional development, and these presentations were well received by the teachers, and seen as a learning opportunity, and peer appreciation.” As for what’s next for Minarah College, Halai says the process is in place for changing the learning environment with collaborative learning places for all students. “The shift is from students just learning the knowledge to authentic application of this knowledge to the wider world. The focus at Minarah College is for teachers to equip students with the tools to navigate their learning process and improve their expertise in developing efficacy,” he explains. “We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.” Halai says the college will also be using appropriate data analysis and interpretation of data to make informed decisions that positively affect student outcomes. “The proactive stance will enable students to be committed to advocating essential values, reflect and develop critical thinking and communication skills to develop their characters and become valuable and active members of the community.”

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Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Alexis Hill

Chief Information Officer

Alexis Hill joined BGS in April 2022 as the School’s first chief information officer to lead the Digital Transformation Program, which aims to use technology and data to enhance student outcomes. As a senior executive with over 14 years of experience in commercial and government industries, she has substantial experience in digital transformation leadership. Alexis has held CIO and director roles that focused on driving technological and organisational change in complex environments. She holds a Bachelor of Business degree and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Chief Information Officer

Alexis Hill

Gair Legal is a progressive, innovative and highly specialised insurance litigation law firm operating out of offices in Sydney and Newcastle. The Gair Legal team is passionate and committed to providing personalised, strategic, proactive and cost-effective services. Since its inception in 2011, Gair Legal has thrived not only due to its legal experience and expertise, but also due to its outstanding client service. The firm’s ability to develop and maintain client relationships is demonstrated by its sustained growth. Gair Legal is on the iCare Legal Services panel and is a main legal provider in workers’ compensation matters. The firm also acts for a range of scheme agents, specialised insurers, self-insurers and Government agencies. Gair Legal’s reputation for exceptional service has resulted in the firm being nominated by major organisations as the preferred law firm to handle their claims. Gair Legal is composed of specialists in personal injury law and experts in mediation and litigation. They actively seek early resolution of matters and deliver best possible outcomes for their clients. The Gair Legal team values strong client relationships, is committed to sustainable work and life practices, and embraces diversity and inclusion.

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