Keith Bethlehem

Keith Bethlehem is a partner in the insurance team. His focus is in the areas of financial institutions and directors’ and officers’ insurance, as well as professional indemnity insurance. Keith’s practice incorporates both advice to insurers on coverage issues and defending litigated claims on behalf of insured individuals and entities. Keith has worked internationally gaining extensive experience in the Lloyd’s market, with a particular specialisation in defending claims against financial institutions and investment professionals. Keith led the team that brought the leading case on the operation of section 6 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1946 (NSW), Chubb & Ors v Moore & Ors, to the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of NSW.

Keith’s experience in Australia includes defending claims against corporations and their directors and officers by aggrieved shareholders, and negligence claims against investment managers, stockbrokers and valuers. He also acts for insurers and reinsurers in relation to policy interpretation and disputes. Keith has authored numerous insurance-related articles, co-authored the chapter entitled "Directors’ & Officers’ Liability" in the second edition of Directors' Duties During Insolvency published by Thompson in January 2007 and has presented at various forums on insurance topics both in London and Australia.

He is listed as a leading individual in insurance in Chambers and Partners (2013-2020). Keith is listed in the 2014-2021 editions of The Best Lawyers in Australia for insurance law. In 2015-2019, Doyle's Guide listed Keith for his expertise in professional indemnity law in New South Wales. Keith is also listed in the 2018 Insurance and Reinsurance ExpertGuides.

Keith was admitted as an attorney in South Africa in 1995 and as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1999. Keith spent six years as a foreign lawyer and solicitor at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert in London between 1997 and 2003.