Headquarters:
Suite 407, Level 4, 165-167 Phillip Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Year founded:
2016
Number of employees:
2
Phone:
1300 149 140
Email:
info@lawbase.com.au
Website:
lawbase.com.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/lawbase
“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
Catherine Higgins
Principal Lawyer and Founder
Mitchel Wright
Partner
Katrina Palmer
Senior Underwriter, Executive Assurance
Leadership
Catherine Higgins is a Sydney-based lawyer passionate about strategic, practical solutions for businesses. She has more than 15 years of experience in the legal sector, starting out as a paralegal before completing a Bachelor of Business (Management) and Bachelor of Laws in 2009. After graduating with a Master of Law, specialising in corporate and commercial law, Higgins founded LawBase in 2016. She is passionate about helping business owners with comprehensive and affordable legal services.
Principal Lawyer and Founder
Catherine Higgins
Mitchell Wright is a commercial and public law partner at Aldermane who specialises in major ICT projects and procurements for government clients. He has worked with and for the government for over a decade in a variety of commercial and legal roles.
Wright’s core expertise is in government procurement, intellectual property, ICT, data and cyber (including privacy impact assessments and the use and disclosure of personal information), complex acquisition and sustainment projects, as well as technology projects. He also assists with the development of procurement strategies, the evaluation of tenders and tender compliance and advises on pragmatic ways to achieve the Commonwealth’s strategic objectives.
Partner
Mitchel Wright
Since joining Arch in June 2023, Katrina Palmer is pleased to work for a company that demonstrates DE&I in its values and in its actions. At Arch, DE&I aren’t just buzzwords – they’re embedded in the culture. From day one, she has witnessed these values in action, creating a dynamic and respectful workplace where every voice is valued.
Senior Underwriter, Executive Assurance
Katrina Palmer
“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
Leadership
“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
Leadership
Ananya Tiwari
Third Party Claims Manager
Ananya Tiwari has always felt that DE&I is an integral part of Arch’s DNA that sometimes she forgets about it entirely. It is embedded in the culture at Arch, where everyone feels welcome. It is a place where Tiwari’s work and opinions have always been valued and respected, and it is a company where everyone can feel safe being their authentic selves.
Third Party Claims Manager
Ananya Tiwari
Jacques G. Sarraf
General Manager, Cosmaline
Jacques G. Sarraf brings over a decade of FMCG industry experience to his role as general manager at Cosmaline, a part of Malia Group and a rapidly growing personal care company in the MENA region. Throughout his tenure, Sarraf has adeptly driven growth and profitability, successfully expanding market share and optimizing operational efficiency alongside strategic entries into new markets and product categories.
An advocate of sustainability, fitness, and wellness, Sarraf promotes environmentally friendly practices and encourages individuals to adopt healthy and active lifestyles.
General Manager, Cosmaline
Jacques G. Sarraf
LawBase is an online boutique firm catering to business owners and entrepreneurs nationwide. Its aim is to provide bespoke commercial law services that are:
· timely
· practical
· affordable
The firm was founded by Catherine Higgins, who remains actively involved in all aspects of the firm and is a resident legal expert in the Humans United By Business (HUBB) network, sharing her expertise with other business leaders.
“We understand the needs of business owners. Our virtual setup allows us to serve them, wherever they are in Australia, with advice tailored to fit their busy lifestyles and evolving business demands,” says Higgins.
Being a boutique means LawBase pays attention to detail and becomes part of its clients’ support network, offering trusted advice and acting as a sounding board for business decisions.
Higgins explains, “We take the time to understand each client’s concerns and how the issue at hand fits into the broader, long-term goals of their business. We break down complex concepts and ensure our clients understand the benefits, risks and challenges of each approach. With us by their side, business owners can focus on what they do best: starting, building and protecting their business.”
Working in partnership with clients is a cornerstone of LawBase’s success. To maintain excellence in service, it carefully maps the client journey from initial enquiry to the completion of each matter. In addition, it has designed workflow phases to include timely check-ins and requests for feedback. The firm also has a client charter, which is sent to clients at the start of each matter, outlining the mutual goals and standards that will be achieved together.
While the operation is entirely online, it relies on skilled staff to function.
“While we operate online, our commitment is rock solid. For us, attention to detail and unwavering dedication are non-negotiable,” says Higgins. “Our goal is to make the lives of our clients easier and ensure they get the best legal solutions, tailored to their needs.”
The firm has invested in its future by developing a strong and rewarding training and development program for junior staff. It boosts engagement and retention, and the firm partners with these junior team members to build and develop their careers. There is also ongoing mentoring and access to a variety of professional development opportunities to help them gain new skills and credentials.
LawBase’s success is also illustrated by:
· resolving more than 1,500 client matters in just over seven years
· attracting 87,000 visitors in 2023 to its website, which shares insights and resources
· being a finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2023
Higgins adds, “Every matter we handle starts with understanding our client and their business. We focus on their specific goals and requirements for the issue at hand. Instead of getting lost in minor details, we take a broader view. We believe that one size does not fit all, so we design bespoke legal solutions that align with our clients’ long-term goals and ultimately provide better value.”
Matthew Dover
Head of Operations
Natalia Child
Head of Broker and Professions CPD
Maxine Owen
Head of Finance
Simon Williams
Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International
and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955
Matthew Dover worked at Renovation Insurance Brokers with MD Douglas Brown before becoming part of the launch team for Renovation Underwriting in 2018. As head of operations, he works closely with the underwriting team, holds key relationships with all partners across the insurance sector and is integral to the delivery and performance of multiple, transactional policy portals for the sector.
Head of Operations
Matthew Dover
Natalia Child began her career in insurance in 2012 and, since then, has worked in both underwriting and private client broking. She is chartered, has an advanced diploma in insurance and has a law degree.
Passionate about education, Child is responsible for delivering the CDP program and the Contract Works Academy, designed to upskill renovation knowledge and increase confidence across the sector.
Head of Broker and Professions CPD
Natalia Child
With over 30 years of experience in the finance and accounting sector, Maxine Owen has worked in a wide variety of industries, including private medical, vehicle, transport and education. When she joined Renovation Underwriting in 2017, Owen brought with her a deep understanding of corporate treasury and the foreign exchange/money market, along with the management of multi-currency exposure with inter-company transactions. She is also an affiliated member of AAT, the professional body for accounting technicians.
Head of Finance
Maxine Owen
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
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Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
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Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
employee benefits
regional retail P&C
specialty P&C
underwriting
direct-to-consumer programs
“Alliant has achieved growth in each of these categories via a potent combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions with plans to continue on this forward trajectory,” explains executive vice president and director, M&A development, Stephen Farr. “Our goal is to achieve strong organic growth, over 10%, augmented by selective and strategic M&A activity.”
Breaking down the specific drivers of growth, Farr adds, “Alliant’s P&C verticals have achieved the highest level of growth in the brokerage space, and the company’s generalist producers have also been a beneficiary by virtue of producing more complex, industry-specific accounts via partnerships with Alliant specialty brokers. Our direct-to-consumer business has been growing at a rapid rate via acquisitions and alignment with other Alliant divisions on cross-selling opportunities.”
The firm enables its team to work effectively with a synergy-creating structure.
Zimmer says, “The Alliant experience is defined by best-in-class teams, service, innovation, and a dynamic and collaborative environment where we work together to achieve powerful, long-term results for our clients and partners. We proactively eliminate walls and silos within our organization, allowing our team members to be both responsive and innovative in their approach to serving clients.”
The firm’s profile was boosted with the launch of Alliant Consumer Group, a dedicated unit housing Alliant’s growing portfolio of consumer-facing operations.
There was also the creation of the Alliant Insurance Foundation in 2023, a charitable, non-profit organization focused on promoting justice and equality by expanding access to opportunities for career growth and advancement for individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Alliant also has an active philanthropy program. Across 2023, Alliant professionals collectively raised/contributed:
more than $1 million in funds
over $2.3 million in combined monetary and in-kind donations through an annual World Food Derby initiative
2,320 volunteer hours to numerous deserving organizations, making a significant community impact
Alliant’s progress is set to continue, as underlined by Zimmer, who has confidence in the firm’s people to deliver continued excellence.
“We believe in our business plan, and it has proven successful. We don’t feel the need to change that. Our core business plan will continue to drive the company forward, complemented by new opportunities that may arise in the future.”
Turnaround time – claims
Turnaround time – new business
Overall
