Michelle Fox is a new partner in Freehills’ Litigation group. Her career to date has taken her across the globe practising on three different continents. Being qualified, and having practised in three jurisdictions—Massachusetts, USA, England and Wales, and Australia—is for Michelle one of the standout achievements in her career to date.
Michelle began her career as a lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts in 1996 representing insurers. Michelle then moved to London where she continued representing insurers and reinsurers. After six years Michelle decided it was time for a change and she relocated with her family to Sydney. She joined Freehills in September 2004 where she now focuses on work for corporate insureds and select insurers and reinsurers.
Given her area of specialisation is insurance, Michelle says she joined Freehills based on the firm’s overall reputation as well as their reputation in the insurance space. When asked what it is about the insurance industry that she enjoys, Michelle says it is both the people and the nature of the transactions.
‘I really enjoy working with our clients, and within the insurance industry generally. Corporate insurance can give rise to complex and interesting issues and disputes, as the risks faced by large corporate insureds and the products designed by insurers to meet those risks are constantly evolving. Of course, to really add value, we must understand each client’s business and their commercial needs,’ she says.
According to Michelle, attributes that make a good corporate insurance lawyer include having a knowledge of the industry and an understanding of the commercial drivers of both parties to the contract.
On being admitted to the Freehills partnership, Michelle says she is ‘thrilled and delighted’ to become a Freehills partner.
‘Freehills is an outstanding firm—its people, values and culture—all of which I relate to. I respect the firm and how it treats its people and its clients,’ she comments.
In the Litigation/Insurance Solutions group, Michelle has worked closely with Michael Mills over the past few years. They approach the practice as a team, and Michelle says that will not change with her new position.
Michelle says she finds inspiration in the people around her—both family and colleagues—and when not working she enjoys spending her time with her husband and two young children.
Michelle’s professional biography is available by clicking
here.
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