2021 Life Membership Awards & Insurance Law Prize: Winners Announced

AILA has honoured two former directors with life membership and presented its annual Insurance Law Prize.

Kim Bradey and David Lee are the new life members and Stanley Drummond has received the annual Insurance Law Prize.

Kim, a barrister, served on the National Board for 18 years, including 11 years as national secretary and two as acting treasurer. She was a member of AILA’s Victorian committee for 21 years.

David Lee, a partner at Clyde & Co, joined the NSW AILA branch in the mid-1980s, not long after AILA was launched, and then became NSW treasurer. He joined the National Board in 2007 and spent 10 years as a director, including three as president.

Stanley Drummond, a partner at Thomson Geer, practices in life insurance, superannuation and financial services regulation. Since 2016, he has been the driving force behind the highly successful Life@AILA program, which hosts events specifically for the life insurance industry.

Stanley is a prolific author and a frequent speaker at seminars and other events convened by AILA and the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees.

He says AILA is important as both an educational and a social platform. “I love insurance and the history of insurance law. The modern world couldn't exist without the risk sharing mechanism of insurance. Everyone who works in insurance needs to know something about insurance law, even if they're not a lawyer.” 

Kim initially became involved with AILA to expand her networks in the insurance industry, but quickly learned there was much more to AILA. “AILA became my one-stop shop for insurance education and I found it an essential tool to enable me to stay on top of the ever-changing world of insurance law,” she said.

“AILA is a vital voice for the insurance community, one that is impartial and allows a platform for all aspects of the industry, be it loss adjusters, claims managers, underwriters, or lawyers. It provides a forum for all aspects of the industry to come together to discuss and debate insurance law.”

Kim says AILA is even more valuable post Covid-19 because it provides remote learning and networking opportunities and enables the continued exchange of ideas and knowledge sharing, even when members cannot spend time face to face.

“AILA provides this service on a not-for-profit basis, lowering the financial hurdles otherwise associated with online education. Through its extensive network, AILA can access highly experienced speakers across a broad range of subjects.”

David is a faculty member of the Australian College of Insurance Studies and was recognised as a leading insurance and litigation lawyer in Best Lawyers 2021. He is listed as a leading public and product liability (defendant) lawyer by Doyle's Guide.
 
He says membership of AILA “helps keep you at the forefront of debate about topics of relevance and industry issues, and further your skills and knowledge, which all ultimately benefits clients as well as the industry more broadly”.

David is still very involved with AILA, particularly as a mentor for a young underwriter and a young insurance accountant.  He said the National Board did an excellent job of maintaining AILA’s relevance, particularly with young people.

“People join AILA for personal brand awareness; being visible among your colleagues is very important, you are part of the conversation. AILA brings people together to work in the best interests of the industry.”  

AILA National President Cameron Roberts congratulated the two life members and the AILA Insurance Law Prize recipient, saying all three were highly deserving and had made valuable, long-term commitments to advancing AILA.