Melbourne's EXPERTS IN COMMERCIAL LAW AND LIABILITY DISPUTES
Commercial
We are experts in:
- Contract reviews and drafting
- Compliance, governance and policies
- Professional Indemnity Insurance. We draft contract clauses, assist with challenging renewals by preparing papers for insurers and assisting professionals and brokers
- Employment law and employment agreements
- Insolvency
- Debt recovery
- Business structure advice
Building & Property Disputes
We are experts in:
- Building defect and water ingress claims
- Property disputes related to boundaries, leases and sale of land
- Strata, owners corporation and apartment related building and insurance issues.
Liability Disputes
We are experts in professional liability, negligence and misleading and deceptive conduct claims especially against professionals. This includes:
- Building professionals including engineers, architects and surveyors
- Property professionals including conveyancers, real estate agents and building inspectors
- Financial professionals including mortgage brokers, insurance brokers and financial advisers.
Insurance Disputes
We are Melbourne’s experts in insurance disputes related to:
- Professional indemnity insurance. We advise professionals on cover, new claims and act in defence of professionals
- Home property and strata insurance claims
- Domestic builders warranty insurance claims and plumbing insurance claims.
Time limits apply to claims. Book an appointment today.
Brockhill & Usherwood Lawyers
Building. Liability. Insurance.
At Brockhill & Usherwood (BU Lawyers) our vision is to always obtain the best outcomes for our clients. We do this by being experts in the select areas in which we practise – building and property, professional liability and insurance. These three categories of law often interrelate in a single dispute.
Our approach is to always achieve the best outcome for you, our customer. We work diligently to create innovative solutions and tirelessly pursue a positive resolution for you.
Experience in the law is absolutely critical. We know building disputes and professional liability and insurance.
Our approach is to always achieve the best outcome for you, our customer. We work diligently, create innovative solutions and tirelessly pursue a positive resolution for you.
Striving to achieve the best outcome
Our People
BU Lawyers are experts in building, property and insurance legal disputes. Our principal solicitor has worked at Lloyds of London, at major corporations and as an insurance General Counsel in addition to many years in private practice.
When you have a building or property dispute you need a lawyer with outstanding insurance and professional liability credentials. Don’t settle for less in pursuing or defending your claim.
Meet the people who will support your case.
Blair McNamara
Principal Lawyer (LLB (Hons) Bbus, Dip Fin Serv)
Katy Gale
Paralegal
Blair McNamara
Principal Lawyer (LLB (Hons) Bbus, Dip Fin Serv)
Katy Gale
Paralegal
Book a consultation today and discover what sets us apart.
Serving Clients across Victoria
Our Offices
We serve clients across Victoria and Australia from Melbourne, Geelong and our Surf Coast office.
Melbourne
Geelong and the Surf Coast
Melbourne
Geelong and the Surf Coast
Testimonials
Representing Your Best Interests
Building. Liability. Insurance.
We regularly act in the County Court of Victoria and Supreme Court of Victoria in building, financial and property disputes.
We regularly act at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in building defect claims and water act claims which are usually heard in the Building and Property List.
We act in Australian Financial Complaints Authority cases.
We are experienced in representing your interests both in negotiation and, if needed, in court.
News
Case Note: Fair Work Ombudsman v Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (North East Link Project Case) [2024] FedCFamC2G 396
The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) and one of its officials have had $51,280.00 in penalties imposed against them for unlawful conduct at a North East Link Project site in February 2021. The action was commenced by the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner but responsibility transferred to the Fair Work Ombudsman in December 2022. The proceedings related to Paul Tzimas, a CFMEU official,
Employment Law Update: Fair Work Ombudsman Secures Nearly $100,000 in Penalties Against Mortgage Broking Business and Manager
The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured $99,900.00 in penalties in Federal Circuit and Family Court proceedings against Ansa Finance Pty Ltd and its manager, Joshua Fuoco.[1] Ansa Finance was found to have failed to comply with Compliance Notices which required the back-payment of five employees who were employed as finance brokers for various periods between February 2020 and November 2021. The Compliance Notices also related
Employment Law Update: Criminalising Intentional Underpayment
The Fair Work Ombudsman has urged employers and employees with the new Fair Work Legislation (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 (Cth) (“Closing Loophole Laws”). One significant change is that, starting not before 1 January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages will be a criminal offence. This means that should an employer intentionally engage in conduct that results in a failure to pay an employee money due to