Media Release | Meridian Lawyers expands Perth team

March 1, 2022

Meridian Lawyers is delighted to announce the expansion of their Perth insurance team with the appointment of Principal Keith Thomas, and Special Counsel Marianne Rivett.

Keith Thomas represents insurers, corporations and government agencies across a wide range of insurance and litigation matters. A litigator with over 30 years’ experience, Keith’s insurance practice is focused on professional indemnity, directors’ and officers’ liability, management liability, public liability, life insurance and other personal lines regulatory matters and property claims.

Recognised for his expertise in professional indemnity across domestic and international markets, Keith was previously a partner with HWL Ebsworth, practising in the litigation and insurance team.

Also set to join Meridian’s Perth team later in March from HWL Ebsworth, is Special Counsel Marianne Rivett.

Marianne has more than 15 years’ legal experience in the insurance industry in Australia and the UK, including time spent at the bar in the UK. Her expertise includes life insurance and other personal lines, professional indemnity, directors’ and officers’ liability, management liability, public liability and general insurance claims,  including insurance coverage advice.

Commenting on the expanding insurance team in Western Australia, Managing Director Paul Baker observes that both Keith and Marianne bring deep market experience to the business:

“I am delighted to welcome Keith and Marianne to Meridian. Their exemplary track record and depth of experience complements that of our existing team and the offering we provide to our domestic and international insurer clients.”

“The addition of Keith and Marianne to our team further assists the growth and expansion objectives of the Perth office, and more broadly the focus on recruiting high calibre lawyers to further expand the insurance service offering to our clients.”

Perth Managing Principal, Mark Birbeck concurs:

“Keith and Marianne are well respected in the insurance market and we look forward to welcoming them to the team. Their expertise complements our existing offer to clients in professional indemnity and general insurance claims and further strengthens our ability to be proactive in assisting clients to identify and manage their risk issues.”

Meridian opened its Perth office in 2018 with Principals Mark Birbeck and Shannon Mony at the helm.

Commenting on his decision to join Meridian, Keith mentions:

“The high regard in which Meridian is held in the insurance sector for its excellence in client service, and the collaborative nature of its culture, provides me with a strong foundation to further grow and diversify my practice. I look forward to working alongside Mark and Shannon in Perth and being a part of Meridian’s national insurance team.”

Marianne adds:

“This is an exciting opportunity to join Meridian’s national insurance practice with its impressive track record and experience in the insurance industry. Joining the Perth team will enable me to further develop and broaden my practice and tap into the expertise across the business to enhance the offering to my clients. I am also looking forward to being a part of a dedicated national team and working alongside Keith, Mark and Shannon and the other members of the Perth office.”

 

About Meridian Lawyers

Meridian Lawyers provides focused legal advice in insurance law, corporate and commercial law, workplace relations and safety, commercial litigation and dispute resolution and health law.

Named Insurance Specialist Firm of the Year in 2020, Meridian has grown significantly since its inception in 2004 and numbers more than 140 staff with 22 Principals in offices located in Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Meridian was recently selected as the only Australian law firm to join the exclusive Insuralex Global Insurance Lawyers Group, the world’s leading insurance and reinsurance law firm network. As an Insuralex member firm, clients and Insuralex’s insurance law firm network have access to Meridian’s insurance services and coverage throughout Australia.

 

Media enquiries

Jacqueline Lyson, Business Development & Marketing Manager, e: jlyson@meridianlawyers.com.au or t: +61 2 9018 9949