DWF names new senior insurance partner for Australia

DWF, a global provider of integrated legal and business services, has appointed insurance specialist Matt Dudakov (pictured above) as a new senior insurance partner for its Australian insurance practice.

An insurance lawyer for over 20 years, Dudakov has a diverse practice specialising in multiple insurance lines, mainly casualty, professional indemnity (PI), financial lines, property/recoveries, and construction. Furthermore, he has extensive insurance experience in Australia, with a longstanding profile among local insurers and insureds, and a high profile in London, UK, having acted for numerous clients in the London market for many years.

Dudakov was also a founding partner of Lander & Rogers’ Queensland office, having been relocated from its Melbourne headquarters. He also led the firm’s casualty practice until his recent departure.

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In his new role at DWF’s Australian insurance team, Dudakov will lead the national growth of the firm’s general insurance practice.

Commenting on his appointment, Dudakov said: “I am thrilled to join DWF, which has very strong growth plans in the Australian market, and I’m excited about being part of this. In addition, DWF is leading the transformation in the insurance market with its integrated legal services offering to clients. This makes for a very compelling, vibrant, and dynamic offering.”

Recognised in The Best Lawyers Australia since 2014 in insurance law and litigation, Dudakov is the DWF insurance team’s third senior hire this financial year, with special counsels Anthony Forrester and Marissa Coward joining the firm in August last year.

Damien van Brunschot (pictured below), regional managing partner for Australasia and head of insurance in Australia at DWF, commented that Dudakov is an invaluable addition to the firm’s insurance team due to his leadership skills, experience, and insights.

“I am delighted to welcome Matt on board,” van Brunschot said. “I’m also particularly excited that Matt will be taking the lead on growing our national general insurance practice, and I look forward to working with him on this front.”