Full Profile
Michelle has run matters at first instance and at appeal and is also well versed in alternative dispute resolution methods. Michelle has also appeared in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal in the Anti-Discrimination division. She is known for devising resolution strategies that provide mutually beneficial outcomes for all parties involved.
Michelle’s experience in acting for corporate and government agencies, including local councils, schools, area health services, electric and water utilities, and commercial enterprises, provides her with an understanding of fundamental issues concerning those bodies such as resources, media sensitivity, risk assessment strategies and policy considerations. This understanding enables her to provide clients with appropriate strategies to better manage litigation, should it arise.
Michelle has significant expertise in conducting medical negligence litigation, acting for doctors, hospitals, medical diagnostic bodies and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, dentists, pharmacists and radiologists, as well as those within the cosmetic industry. Additionally Michelle regularly handles medical malpractice investigations and assists in the preparation of written responses to the investigating regulatory bodies, including the HCCC and AHPRA, on behalf of insured allied health practitioners. Michelle also has expertise in clinical trial/s and claims arising from same (including claims for compensation advanced by patients who develop significant adverse events as a consequence of participation in the clinical trial/s). Michelle routinely works with and is known for balancing the interests of multiple stakeholders involved in clinical trial practice and procedure.
Michelle has conducted the defence of large scale personal injury matters, involving cross-jurisdictional issues and multi-party litigation (including matters conducted in the Federal Court) and has also conducted the defence of large scale commercial matters.
Michelle has also conducted the defence of various general personal injury matters, arising from injuries upon worksites (involving head contractors and subcontractors, labour hire arrangements and in circumstances, which involve consideration of 151Z of the Workers Compensation Act 1987), design defects (product liability), assault matters and property damage.
Michelle is recognised by The Best Lawyers in Australia 2021 for work in Personal Injury Litigation.
Experience
- Acting for a global biopharmaceutical company in relation to a number of clinical trial/s and claims for compensation arising from same, including managing the interests of multiple stakeholders involved (including Ethics Committee, Medicines Australia, sponsors and sites).
- Acting in the collision of two industrial scrapers used by the Commonwealth and USA Army personnel in the Northern Territory. This particular matter was conducted in the NSW Supreme Court, Commercial Division, involving various liability/apportionment issues and complex quantum issues. It was ultimately resolved, without the need for a lengthy hearing.
- Conducting the defence of a slip and fall personal injury matter, on behalf of a school after obtaining verdicts for the school, both in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
- Acting in security matters including a case involving Section 3B of the Civil Liability Act 2002, which was further complicated by virtue of the Plaintiff suffering from a psychiatric illness and the impact of that illness, both in relation to liability issues and quantum issues.
- Advising in a product liability matter in which a large industrial gate collapsed, causing a fatality.
- Acting in matters involving slip and trips on government owned and commercial premises.
- Acting for a head contractor in circumstances where an independent roofing subcontractor injured himself in the course of his duties. A verdict for the Defendant/client was achieved.
- Acting for a security company engaged in the provision of security services for a religious unincorporated association. This matter involved allegations of assault and wrongful detainment. A verdict for the Defendant/client was obtained.
- Acting for a corporation conducting the business of operating cranes, in relation to an industrial accident which resulted in property damage to works under construction.
- Advising a school in relation to a potential claim for bullying brought by a student from a troubled family. This case resulted in no action being taken by the family against the school.
