PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Catherine joined the bar after working as a barrister and solicitor in private practice since 2002. In addition to working as a principal lawyer and head of legal in private practice, Catherine also, served as the Federal Court Registrar and Administrative Appeals Tribunal Registrar for Tasmania.
Over the past two decades, Catherine has worked as a lawyer in commercial litigation and administrative law, particularly in discrimination, and environment and planning. Catherine has had extensive experience appearing as counsel in the Supreme Court, Federal Court, Magistrates Court and Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Catherine also specialises in assisting major infrastructure project proponents navigate the complexities of the Tasmanian and Commonwealth statutory approval processes and appeals.
Catherine is committed to improving the culture of the Tasmanian legal profession and was awarded the Law Society of Tasmania President’s Award in 2025 in recognition for her contribution to the legal profession. Catherine is the facilitator for the Law Society of Tasmania’s mandatory sexual harassment training for Tasmanian Lawyers and is the chair of the Law Society’s well- being committee.
QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS
Admitted 2002 (Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court of Australia)
Education BA LLB (Hons) University of Tasmanian 2001, Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice (University of Tasmania) (2002)
EXPERIENCE
Lead counsel in MONA “Ladies Lounge” discrimination case -Moorilla Estate Pty Ltd v Lau [2024] TASSC 49
Lead counsel in Cawthorn v Citta Hobart Pty Ltd [2020] TASFC 15 before the Full Court of the Supreme Court involving the operation and effect of the Commonwealth Constitution and State Tribunals exercising federal jurisdiction
Lead counsel in Hill v Forteng Pty Ltd [2019] FCAFC 105 before the Full Court of the Federal Court (on appeal) where the principles concerning ‘practical benefits as consideration’ were confirmed.
Lead counsel in APF Welding Pty Ltd v Amplified Contractors Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 991 in the Federal Court before Justice McElwaine involving a contractual and misleading and deceptive conduct case.
Lead counsel in Mundy v Larrarte [2023] TASSC 12 in the Supreme Court before Justice Jago in a Judicial Review application.
AREAS OF LAW
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Anti-Discrimination
Appellate
Commercial
Environment and Planning
Equity & Trusts
Inquests/Inquiries
Public/Administrative Law
