Connect with meAnna is a claims litigator with extensive experience in property damage, public liability and professional indemnity claims.
Anna’s general liability expertise includes advising insurers on indemnity issues arising out of product recalls and third-party claims, as well as conducting the defence of those claims in a variety of forums. She also has experience defending claims against solicitors, engineers, architects and other professionals facing claims from both the private and public sector. Anna is experienced in Court and other forms of alternate dispute resolution.
Anna represented insurers on earthquake related claims in both the commercial and residential spaces following the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. She utilised a range of alternative dispute resolution approaches, including mediation, settlement meetings and judicial settlement conferences, to assist her clients to achieve settlements in a broad variety of challenging disputes.
Anna previously practiced in a professional and commercial disputes team for a large firm in London, including appearances as instructing solicitor in the Chancery Division. She was a Fulbright Scholar and holds a masters’ degree from Columbia University in New York.
- Advising on indemnity in relation to the outbreak of a salmonella strain in the poultry industry, including recall of product. This required a consideration of a broad range of potential third party claims and evaluation of steps taken by an insured to mitigate losses and avoid potential prosecution.
- Advised on indemnity in relation to significant international recall costs arising from contamination dispute in the food products industry.
- Acted in defence of a $10 million claim against an engineering firm for alleged defects in a large commercial building, including conducting mediation via zoom. Achieved settlement prior to arbitration at a much lower figure, following strategic management of challenging and entrenched claimants.
- Achieving settlement at mediation of a recovery claim involving stormwater design and construction defects in a newly constructed school gymnasium.
- Currently pursuing recovery proceedings in relation to a $4m loss arising from fire damage.
- Successfully defended a planning consultant in a litigated $14 million claim by a local body arising from a failed subdivision. The claim involved detailed consideration of the RMA landscape and contractual limitation provisions.
- Advising on indemnity in relation to a $4.4 million warranties and indemnities claim arising from a sale and purchase of a significant supply chain business.
- Product Liability and Recall
- Professional Liability
- Property Damage
- Construction and Contract Works
- Professions and Business Services
- Industrial and Commercial Property
- Agriculture
- New Zealand Insurance Law Association