For insurance specialist Moray & Agnew it's all about growth.  The firm expanded 27 per cent per annum in the past three years, a significant achievement in the face of Tort reform, reduced litigation and increased buying power of insurers.

National chairman and managing partner Michael Pitt, attributes the firm's strong growth to the dedication and commitment of its 300 staff, clients, cutting edge technology, and a solid, but specialised business model.

'Our growth is a significant statement to the market. It says we're here for the long haul,' Pitt says.

Having signed up teams of lawyers from Melbourne, Newcastle and Canberra in the last 18 months, Moray & Agnew wants to consolidate its position across its five locations, and expand into Western Australia.

Strong appeal
'We're committed insurance specialists, and our strong brand name is reflected in our work for Australia's major insurers, large public listed companies, the public sector and for the London market.'

Moray & Agnew seeks further growth by building on its client base nationally, and expanding into government.

'It's the firm's solid reputation that underpins both its appeal to potential recruits and clients,' Pitt adds.

While growing both its high volume and high value insurance work, Moray & Agnew continues to engage more teams from other firms.  'Specialists like Moray & Agnew are a sanctuary for those who really want to get into insurance.  Earlier this year we added 15 talented lawyers to the Moray & Agnew fold.'

The firm is very selective, extracting the market's best. 'Cultural fit' is crucial to those looking to join Moray & Agnew,' he says.

National focus
Moray & Agnew believes a strong spread across eastern states is essential to winning national tenders.   In a recent national tender by a major insurer, Moray & Agnew was the only firm appointed across all service lines.  In another significant win, the firm was appointed by a large publicly listed company across all service lines in the majority of its locations.

'We have seen that a strong presence in a variety of states has helped to win positions on national panels.  This is what we see as a natural growth pattern for the firm.'

'Moray & Agnew has the right economics to support competitive services for insurers and government nationally.  We also have proven capabilities to operate and support an insurance practice Australia-wide - factors that count with insurance and government clients,' Pitt adds.

High value work
The specialised nature of Moray & Agnew's work attracts instructions in many high value and commercially complex cases.

The firm remains involved in product liability class actions in the Federal Court and a series of substantial pollution liability claims.  We handled various professional indemnity cases arising out of corporate collapses, including Westpoint, HIH and NewCorp Re.  Moray & Agnew continues to represent parties involved in complex and politically sensitive cases flowing from the Commonwealth's immigration detainee detention policy. 

Conducted cases include the $30m Sydney Airport third runway extension insurance dispute and representing Lloyds and London Company Market insurers of a substantial coal mine who declined a $60m claim for non disclosure and breach of policy conditions.  In June 2007 we acted in the UK test case before the House of Lords which will decide when a cause of action for injury from a toxic tort claim can be brought.

'Our size, depth and infrastructure enable us to handle large and complex litigation.'

Technology leadership
Beyond a strong reputation, today's insurance law market also demands solid technical skills, business acumen, geographic coverage and, not least, sophisticated IT systems to match.  Moray & Agnew was among the first firms to invest millions in cutting-edge practice management information systems.  'Clients are very keen to learn about our IT and precedent systems, accounting and financials, and how you manage and integrate these systems.'.

'Sophisticated IT systems are crucial in insurance due to multiple client matters.  Clients want to monitor outcomes and regularly compare results.  Our IT systems allows them to access their file information, a huge attraction to a lot of clients,' he says

Future focus
Moray & Agnew is seeking to expand its well structured insurance practices across its interstate offices. 'We are exploring opportunities in Melbourne and Brisbane to add workers compensation and compulsory third party (CTP) insurance claims teams, although discussions are at an early stage.' Pitt said.

'We are looking at the benefits which flow from other niche parts of the firm, such as our Melbourne-based building and construction practice.  This practice fits extremely well with Moray & Agnew's professional indemnity, engineering and infrastructure insurance work.'

Another growth area is government.  The firm is a well-regarded provider to state and local councils and is now looking to expand its federal work.  'Moray & Agnew's insurance business model is a perfect fit for Federal work.  There is almost a declared policy of wanting to use more specialist and mid-tier firms who work effectively across multiple locations and are more cost effective than top-tier firms.  We fit this category particularly well,' he says.

Moray & Agnew has been undeterred despite the upheaval in the insurance market  in recent years.

'The marketplace recognises this and I believe the future is bright.  We have the best group of insurance lawyers, and a fantastic, extremely loyal client base.'