Catherine has specialised in insurance law since 1991. She is a former Partner of Ebsworth and Ebsworth having spent 15 years with that firm before joining Wotton + Kearney in May 2008.
Catherine has been involved in some of the largest and most sensitive cases involving ASIC and APRA. Catherine also acted for reinsurance interests throughout the HIH Royal Commission. Catherine also has extensive experience representing clients in a range of Inquiries and investigatory processes, ASIC and ASX inquiries and Royal and Special Commissions including matters arising from the AWB and James Hardie Special Commissions. Catherine was recognised by Who's Who of Australian Women in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 which celebrates the outstanding achievements of Australian women. Catherine is also featured on the Global Law Experts website.
Catherine's recent matters include:
- providing general advice to underwriters and brokers in relation to a wide range of matters including insurance and reinsurance issues, policy wording, regulatory and compliance issues;
- acting in relation to general insurance, reinsurance, commercial litigation, Corporations Act, ASIC Act, Trade Practices litigation, defamation issues, class actions, intellectual property and other property and contractual disputes;
- acting for lawyers, accountants, investment advisers, insurance and reinsurance brokers, stockbrokers, architects, engineers and financial institutions in professional indemnity matters;
- advising chairpersons and directors of companies on director's duties and powers, corporate responsibilities, regulatory issues and corporate governance;
- providing advice on disputes involving life insurance including total and permanent disablement claims and death benefits under group policies and superannuation schemes;
- representing parties throughout the HIH Royal Commission;
- acting in D&O insurance litigation matters;
- appearing as an advocate in the Local, District, Supreme and Federal Courts;
- conducting and making submissions at mediations and other alternative dispute resolution processes; and
- representing directors and officers of companies and various advisers in criminal matters.
Memberships
Catherine is a director of Zurich Australian Superannuation Pty Ltd. She is also a liaison officer for the Australian Insurance Law Association and is on the NSW education sub-committee for the Australian & New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF).