Experience
Matt is a leading insurance law expert with over 30 years' experience. He is ranked a leading professional indemnity lawyer in NSW in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession, and a recommended insurance lawyer in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific.
Matt heads up the Australian offices' Financial Lines practice. His current practice includes:
- Managing professional indemnity, D&O, MPL, EPL claims, construction risks and large associated recoveries
- Specialist indemnity advice and watching briefs for primary layer and excess layer insurers in all manner of category of claim
- Working closely with insurance clients on their portfolio of business to better understand and underwrite their risk in an ever evolving commercial and legal environment, providing advice on insurance terms and policy development, and feedback on management of claims
Matt holds both a science degree and a law degree which helps him comprehend and simplify complex factual and legal scenarios. He is highly regarded for delivering his technical advice in an easy-to-read manner and for the commercial and legal options he provides to clients.
Matt is highly regarded for his management of insured/insurer expectations. This extends to all classes of insurance risk and includes where there are potential denials of indemnity, potential exclusions, FOS complaints, litigated indemnity disputes, large or multiple excesses and in the stacking of claims amongst various layers of cover.
Matthew is a real ‘people person’ and connector. He is highly regarded in developing key client relationships and key client teams to create long standing partnerships. Matthew ensures our large and capable team develops a deep understanding of each client’s needs and expectations, and develops innovative and cost-effective solutions to support the consistent and outstanding delivery of legal services through every section of the practice.
More broadly, Matt’s management and leadership skills are well known, with a track record of building out a market leading national general insurance practice which he has largely brought across to DWF. His highly regarded leadership has seen him hold many high profile positions including, at present: Chair of DWF Law (Australia), Member of the NSW Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Corporate Leadership Group; President of Manly Rugby Football Club; and previously: Chairman of the former NSW Home Warranty Insurance Scheme and Home Building Advisory Boards Solicitor Member of the NSW Architects Registration Board.
Memberships
- AILA
- APIG
Awards
Best Lawyers in Australia 2021-2025
- Recognised Lawyer in Insurance Law, Professional Malpractice Litigation
Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession
- 2022 - 2024 | Leading Professional Indemnity Lawyer
- Prior to 2021 | Recommended Professional Indemnity Lawyers
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020-2025
- Insurance
Testimonials
- 'Matthew Curll is one of the top "go-to" people for Australian insurance law matters – both coverage and defence. Reporting is clear, concise and well presented.' - Claims Adjuster, Chaucer PLC
Recent cases
- MS Amlin Corporate Member Limited v LU Simon Builders Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 581 acting for successful primary layer insurer Chaucer (including recovery of costs) – Key legal issue – s40(3) of the ICA (re: a professional indemnity policy)
- Flanagan v Bernasconi [2023] NSWCA 150 acting for the successful insurance broker on instructions from Lloyd’s of London Underwriters (including recovery of costs) – Key legal issue: broker’s duty and causation
- Salmon v Albarran [2023] NSWSC 1238 acting for the successful accounting/insolvency firm on instructions from Lloyd’s of London Underwriters (including security for costs) – Key legal issue: liquidator’s duty and breach