Mitchell is a Graduate Solicitor currently in rotation with our Insurance & Health team based in our Brisbane office.

“While working at Barry.Nilsson. I have developed an interest in Professional Indemnity matters especially those involving allegations of professional negligence against solicitors, consultants, engineers, and financial advisers. I am also looking forward to gaining further experience in the areas of medical negligence and product liability.”

“I enjoy that every matter is different and there is never a “one-size-fits-all” approach that can be applied. I enjoy researching complex and emerging legal questions and applying the answers I find to unique factual circumstances.”

“I find it rewarding working with sophisticated clients such as large insurers as they often understand what information is needed to give comprehensive advice and are usually familiar with the legal issues behind the advice that is given. Adhering to strict deadlines is how I prefer to work as it makes it easier to manage my time and I find this is similar to the approach often taken by claims handlers.”

“I applied for a role at Barry.Nilsson. because of the firm’s outstanding professional reputation and because I believed my prior experience in the medico-legal industry made me a good fit for the Insurance and Health team. The most appealing thing about working at Barry.Nilsson is the opportunity to learn from colleagues that are very experienced in their areas of practice while also being in a working environment that understands the importance of work/life balance.”

Mitchell takes the time to investigate fully the circumstances of each matter and takes a broad approach to evaluating the legal issues in each case (drawing upon recent cases, articles, and publications). Combined with his adherence to deadlines and his willingness to update the client regularly (even requesting more time if the issues appear to be complex), he keeps his client’s informed and only provides an advice once all the apparent issues have been covered off. If he is unable to find an answer to an identified legal issue, the options and next steps open to the client will be clearly outlined whether this be seeking further advice from counsel etc.

Before working at Barry.Nilsson., Mitchell worked in the medico-legal industry where he drafted, proofread, and critiqued medico-legal reports to ensure compliance with the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition (AMA 5) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5). He was also responsible for liaising with clients (predominately law firms or self-insurers) to ensure that all the relevant information was provided to the medical practitioner conducting the assessment. This gave Mitchell a good set of skills and basic knowledge that he refers to when working in the Public Liability Team at Barry.Nilsson.