Kate joined us in early 2020 to establish HBA Legal’s Canberra presence.
Kate has over 20 years’ experience in the industry and specialises in federal workers’ compensation. She is widely known within Canberra for being an expert in all issues arising under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.
Kate graduated from the Australian National University with Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (1999) and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in 2000.
Prior to joining HBA, Kate spent two and a half years in a Special Counsel role with a Sydney-based law firm acting for respondents in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Federal Court.
Kate’s career has also included seven years in-house with Comcare in various roles including as its Chief Legal Officer (Claims & Liability Management) and Director of the SRC Legal team.
During Kate’s in-house roles with Comcare she sat as a member of Comcare’s Claims and Liability Management Executive. In addition, she advised Comcare’s CEO and Executive in relation to significant and high profile AAT and court cases, as well as directed the strategy in relation to these. Her role included advising the Executive General Manager, Claims and Liability, on numerous issues including premium calculations, proposed changes to the SRC Act and the then proposed exit of the ACT Government from the Comcare scheme.
Prior to life at Comcare, Kate spent eight years with the Australian Government Solicitor where she was seconded to both the Australian Taxation Office and Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The many varying legal environments Kate has worked in means she brings to the table additional very useful perspective when interacting with clients in private practice.
Kate knows her stuff without hesitating (as a true expert does!). She’s a clear communicator and pragmatic negotiator with the client’s best interest at the heart of everything she does. Her time in-house at Comcare has given her a true understanding of the ins and outs of the Federal Government.