Connect with meCatherine is an experienced litigator who acts for both commercial and government clients in general commercial and health litigation, and inquiries, investigations and prosecutions. Catherine is regarded as a safe pair of hands by clients and Counsel alike.
She has particular expertise in the public health sector, having worked with several public health providers throughout the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. Catherine also spent 14 months on secondment to the Victorian Department of Health in its COVID-19 Litigation team. Whilst on secondment, she was the primary lawyer on a vast array of matters, including coronial inquests, class actions, WorkSafe investigations and challenges to the COVID-19 Directions.
Catherine also has a strong focus on pro bono and community engagement. In 2013, Catherine was the recipient of the Chief Justice’s Medal for Excellence and Community Service, and in 2015, she was awarded the La Trobe University Young Achiever Alumni Award. She was a Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards in 2018 in the Dispute Resolution category, and, in 2019, in the Litigation and Pro Bono categories.
- Represented several public health services in the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and assisted in coordinating public hospitals’ responses to requests for information and written and oral evidence during the public hearings.
- Representing IBM Australia Ltd in a contractual dispute regarding incentive payment for asset management software.
- Assisting the Department of Health in the mandatory vaccination challenge brought in the Supreme Court of Victoria by approximately 128 plaintiffs in response to various COVID-19 Directions requiring mandatory vaccination for certain professions.
- Advising the Department of Justice and Regulation on an appropriate arbitration clause for the purposes of Chapter 15, Government Procurement, of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
- Represented a key stakeholder in the taxi industry following the government’s reform of the industry and the abolition of the taxi licenses system.
- Commercial Litigation
- Government
- Inquiries, Investigations and Prosecutions
- LitigateSMART
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Public Sector and Education
- Australian Women Lawyers
- Hellenic Lawyers Association
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Law Institute of Victoria, International Law Section (Co-Chair and Executive Committee Member, 2014 – 2018)
- Victorian Women Lawyers