In our latest Q&A, we sat down with Jacques Jacobs, partner in the Financial Lines team, to hear his story.
Recently welcoming Jacques and his team of six to the Sydney office, Jacques brings deep expertise in warranty & indemnity insurance, alongside a wealth of experience advising insurers and insureds on financial lines coverage issues, complex disputes, and regulatory matters.
You’ve recently rejoined Wotton Kearney as a Partner. Tell us about your journey and what brought you back.
Coming back to Wotton Kearney felt a bit surreal – it’s where everything started! I began my career here in 2003, so rejoining after working at DLA Piper, Norton Rose Fulbright, and Clyde & Co felt like the right next step.
Since 2003, the firm has experienced significant growth, and I’m excited to be a part of that going forward, particularly across professional indemnity and financial lines with Andrew Moore, Head of Financial Lines.
When the opportunity arose to return to Wotton Kearney, it felt like the perfect moment to bring everything I’ve learned back to a business that played such a key role in shaping my career.
I’ve always known Wotton Kearney to be a business where I could apply my experience, collaborate with talented people, and truly make an impact on the work we do for our clients.
You’ve brought a talented team of six with you – what does success look like for you and your team?
Success is all about how we come together as a team to meet our clients’ needs.
Being that we each bring our own strengths, experiences and insights to the table, we’re able to provide innovative, practical solutions to help clients navigate whatever challenges they’re facing.
For me, success also means continuously growing and evolving together, not just through our client work, but in how we collaborate and innovate as a team. That’s something I’m really passionate about.
A big thank you to the team for sticking with me! James Read, Rachelle Moran,Aleks Thwaite-Wright, Zoe Janssen, Tess McKinnel and Caitlin Gibbs.
You’re well-known for your expertise in financial lines and speciality claims. What drives your passion for this area of law?
What really drives me in financial lines and specialty claims is solving those tricky, high-pressure situations and finding practical solutions that make a real difference for my clients.
I’ve had the chance to work with both insurers and insureds across a range of sectors, handling everything from complex, high-value disputes to more straightforward SME claims.
I’m particularly passionate about warranty & indemnity (W&I) work – especially in M&A deals where hidden liabilities can pose major risks. It’s incredibly rewarding to be involved in big, industry-defining cases in this space.
ESG is another area that is super interesting – as the regulatory landscape continues to shift, more clients are seeking guidance on staying ahead of emerging risks, from compliance to issues like greenwashing.
The legal and risk landscape is constantly evolving – do you see any opportunities or risks ahead for insurers and insureds?
Absolutely! For insurers, the challenge is not just about managing traditional risks, but staying ahead of emerging ones like cyber threats, climate change, and ESG concerns. There is a need to rethink how these risks are assessed and positioned, especially as global regulations tighten.
For insureds, it’s about being proactive – taking the lead on things like cybersecurity and sustainability to avoid headaches down the road. The real opportunity lies in being agile and staying ahead of the curve!
The biggest risk I see would be not moving quickly enough to address change, missing out on critical coverage and facing increased liability.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
One thing people might be surprised to learn about me is that I’m a keen sneaker collector! I love hunting for sneakers with unique designs, colours, and styles.
It’s almost a bit like art – in this case something you can also wear!
Looking ahead, what’s a professional and/or personal goal you’re excited to pursue?
I’m excited to continue building on the strong foundation we’ve established in the financial lines and speciality claims space.
With the growing demand for clear and effective coverage, there is so much opportunity to provide value to clients, further develop my team and cement Wotton Kearney’s position as a leader in financial lines.
On a personal level, I would like to travel more of Australia with my husband this year. Although I have lived here for 23 years, there are still many parts I haven’t seen – such as the Northern Territory. Definitely something I’ll need to organise soon!