MASON BLACK LAWYERS - Key Persons
Courtney predominantly practices in the areas of civil litigation, debt collection across all jurisdictions and provides commercial advice to businesses regarding their trading terms. She has represented clients in resolving commercial and retail lease disputes and has an interest in personal and corporate insolvency. Courtney also has exposure to debt matters relating to deceased estates.
Jessica Dodds was appointed Solicitor Director in June 2022, originally joining Mason Black + Mendelsons in April 2019 as the QLD State Manager and Senior Associate, responsible for overseeing the Queensland office in all areas of the firm's Insurance and Commercial Litigation practice.
Jessica has a broad range of litigation experience, specialising in the areas of Commercial Debt Recovery and General Insurance. Her practice includes acting on behalf of statutory authorities, service providers and financiers in respect of high volume recoveries, in addition to insurers and self-insured parties in property damage (commercial, domestic and motor vehicle) and malicious damage claims.
Prior to joining Mason Black Lawyers, Jessica worked at both boutique and national firms, practising in areas of General Insurance, Public Liability and Life Insurance matters. As a result, Jessica has a vast understanding of contractual matters, complex policy coverage and indemnity issues, quantum and liability, multi-party disputes and dual insurance claims.
Jessica otherwise enjoys providing offsite training to her clients on a range of issues, including recovery strategies and settlement negotiation.
Jessica is committed to ensuring clients receive an exceptionally high standard of service, with an approach that focuses on efficient and commercial resolutions.
Jessica is an invaluable member of the commercial litigation, debt recovery and insurance Team at Mason Black.
Coming from a criminal law background, her knowledge and expertise in criminal law has assisted Jessica with difficult investigations and recoveries for malicious damage and fraud related matters.
Job Titles:
- Managing Solicitor Director
Matthew joined Mason Black Lawyers in July 2017 as Special Counsel in the Commercial Litigation and Insolvency team and was appointed Solicitor Director in December 2018. Prior to joining the team, he managed the Victorian litigation practice of a boutique national firm.
Since his admission in 2007, Matthew's practice has predominantly advised in the areas of commercial litigation, insolvency and debt collection, in particular in relation to winding up applications, bankruptcies and post insolvency recovery actions.
Matthew is committed to providing high quality and cost effective legal advice, focusing on achieving commercial resolutions to disputes through negotiation and other ADR processes whenever possible and professional litigation representation and advocacy where required.
Matthew is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria.
Tara Nicholls joined Mason Black Lawyers in June 2013. She has over 20 years experience in insurance law and has worked in both national and boutique insurance law firms.
Tara has extensive experience in Local Court civil litigation and has also assisted in acting for leading insurance companies in defending professional indemnity and personal injury claims in the District Court and the Supreme Court.
Tara is responsible for overseeing Mason Black Lawyers' insurance matters, specifically personal and commercial property damage to vehicles and buildings, public and product liability, construction and all debt recovery matters.
Tara appears in all Courts and is an experienced and dedicated advocate, having achieved many successes in her appearances in hearings and various interlocutory applications.
Vittoria joined Mason Black Lawyers in September 2017 and her practice focuses on complex insurance claims together with assisting in managing high volume debt recovery work for insurers and commercial clients.
Prior to joining Mason Black Lawyers, Vittoria's practice has predominantly been in debt collection, general insurance and commercial litigation.