In the industry for over 25 years, Ruth has practiced almost exclusively in defendant based insurance litigation since 1992. She joined HBA in January 2015 from a career covering practice at Clayton Utz, Downings Legal, and Crisp Civitella Slater, acting for numerous insurers and self insureds. She also has 10 years concurrent experience in the Comcare system providing legal advice on workers’ compensation claims to large companies. Ruth has extensive experience in pre-trial and conciliation conferences and instructing in trials, appeals and hearings in the AAT, District Court, Supreme and High Courts.
Ruth graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts and was admitted to legal practice in 1991. She is a member of the Australian Law Insurance Association and the Law Society of Western Australia.
Ruth is renowned as being one of Perth’s best defendant personal injury litigators, particularly when it comes to motor vehicle claims (compulsory third party claims). She is also considered an expert in the areas of public liability and workers’ compensation. As a senior lawyer and partner, Ruth ensures the quality of all work prepared by her team on her matters, offering the best outcomes across advice on evidence, and assessment of compensation and damages for different losses (utilising differing thresholds, exclusions and methods of assessment). Ruth’s skills in providing a timely and accurate assessment of the commercial risks of a claim are second to none. These skills give her a competitive edge in coming to early resolutions and therefore minimising cost for the client.
In 2018, Ruth was named as one of WA’s best lawyers across every area of her practice in the well-respected Doyle’s Guide. She was named a recommended lawyer in the categories of: Leading Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (Defendant) – WA; Leading Compulsory Third Party Insurance Lawyers (Defendant) – WA; and Leading Public & Product Liability Lawyers (Defendant) – WA. The Doyle’s Guide rankings are particularly significant given the awards are based on peer and client feedback.
With Ruth, comes the wisdom of experience. She is efficient and approachable which enhances her ability to deliver creative and cost effective solutions. Ruth takes a ‘big picture’ approach and constantly seeks new methods of value adding. Ruth highly values client relationships and the importance of understanding a client’s business and its priorities. This approach ensures a solution that works both now and into the future. Focusing on the bigger picture, she considers systemic issues and processes to improve the way the business operates – an approach that has seen her maintain clients over two decades. Once clients have worked with Ruth, they stick with her.