HBA Legal has announced the launch of its occupational health and safety (OH&S) service with the appointment of Jamie McPherson as a partner.
The OH&S service will offer a comprehensive range of legal services spanning all aspects of workplace safety and compliance. It will also provide expert legal representation in courts and tribunals, and strategic legal advice relating to claims and rehabilitation management.
McPherson brings over 25 years of legal experience to the role. He is a recognised leader in the areas of workplace safety and employment law, as well as in the field of workers’ compensation, and has acted for Workcover Queensland throughout his entire career. Most recently, McPherson was managing director at DWF Australia.
Commenting on the announcement, HBA Legal Director, Nathan Hepple said: “At HBA Legal, we are constantly seeking opportunities to expand the scope of our legal services. The OH&S arena is naturally aligned to our existing expertise and we see a significant opportunity to bring the unique legal approach that we offer to clients in this sector. Jamie is the ideal choice to lead this new service. His extensive experience and breadth of expertise will be central to our ability to grow our presence in this highly competitive sector.”
McPherson added: “I am delighted to be joining HBA Legal at such a pivotal point in its ongoing expansion. The OH&S sector is a dynamic environment that demands a very technical and responsive legal approach. The services and solutions we offer clients are highly compelling and are provided through a unique operating and delivery model which places the customer experience at the core.”
The announcement demonstrates HBA Legal’s ongoing commitment to expanding and enhancing its capabilities. McPherson’s appointment follows the announcements that Damian Hegarty and Courtney Steele joined the law firm’s Brisbane office as partners in February and January, respectively.
Hepple commented: “Our acquisition by Crawford in November 2020 has added significant impetus to our growth plans. Through the acquisition, Crawford is now able to provide a single service capability that spans all stages of the claims lifecycle from initial notification of loss through to effective resolution, with legal support fully integrated into that lifecycle. In turn, we are also able to provide clients with greater choice and create what we view as a truly game-changing offering in business-critical areas such as recoveries, fraud and litigation management.”
