Sophy Woodward
Partner
Sophy is a Partner in the insurance team at HFW where she specialises in complex disputes and all aspects of insurance law. Sophy advises policyholders, brokers and insurers on policy wordings, regulatory requirements, and coverage for claims. She has particular experience advising brokers on E&O exposures and acting for contractors in construction insurance claims and disputes. Sophy also regularly acts for mining companies in insurance coverage disputes and advises on the insurance aspects of transactions. Prior to joining HFW Sophy was a Senior Associate at HSF for 9 years, during which time she was seconded into the BHP legal team for 9 months. During her time at BHP she managed their insurance claims and major disputes. Sophy was also seconded into the legal team at Transurban. She has represented corporate clients involved in many of Australia's largest disputes including the Victorian Bushfires class action and the Royal Commission into Banking Misconduct.
More about Sophy
Sophy is a Partner in the insurance team at HFW where she specialises in complex disputes and all aspects of insurance law. Sophy advises policyholders, brokers and insurers on policy wordings, regulatory requirements, and coverage for claims. She has particular experience advising brokers on E&O exposures and acting for contractors in construction insurance claims and disputes. Sophy also regularly acts for mining companies in insurance coverage disputes and advises on the insurance aspects of transactions. Prior to joining HFW Sophy was a Senior Associate at HSF for 9 years, during which time she was seconded into the BHP legal team for 9 months. During her time at BHP she managed their insurance claims and major disputes. Sophy was also seconded into the legal team at Transurban. She has represented corporate clients involved in many of Australia's largest disputes including the Victorian Bushfires class action and the Royal Commission into Banking Misconduct.
Clients commend Sophy as "enormously reliable, efficient and helpful, able to assimilate issues quickly and provide advice quickly and succinctly."
Her recent work includes:
- Acting for a large mining company on a cross-border liability insurance claim.
- Acting for a large mining company on a PD/BI insurance claim arising from a seismic event.
- Acting for Newcrest Mining defending a shareholder class action and bringing a cross-claim for coverage against its D&O insurers.
- Acting for a major bank on the Royal Commission into Banking Misconduct.
- Acting for Ensham Resources in its PD/BI insurance claim arising from the Queensland floods.

Melbourne
Level 39, Bourke Place
600 Bourke Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Australia
Office Telephone: +61 (0)3 8601 4500
Office Fax: +61 (0)3 8601 4555
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