Vanessa has been a member of Colin Biggers & Paisley's insurance team since 2005 and became a partner in 2012. 

Vanessa has expertise in litigation and dispute resolution and practises predominantly in the area of personal injury. She has over 20 years' experience in general liability, product liability and professional indemnity insurance, including medical malpractice. 

She acts for insurers and insureds in the defence of institutional risk and liability claims for a number of church orders. While many of these claims proceed through an alternative dispute resolution process, a large number of these claims are litigated in a specialist list in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

She also acts for a former manufacturer of asbestos products in the defence of its asbestos claims.

Vanessa has experience in medical malpractice, and manages claims for medical and allied health practitioners including psychologists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and nurses. These matters have included everything from responding to disciplinary complaints to AHPRA, through to large complex civil claims for catastrophic personal injury, as well as coronial inquests.

She also defends general liability claims against aged care facilities, builders, contractors, retailers and occupiers of commercial premises.

Vanessa has been recognised in the 2014 to 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in Australia for Insurance Law. She is also listed in the 2022 to 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in Australia for Product Liability Litigation. In 2018 and 2019, Doyle's Guide recognised Vanessa as a leading Medical Negligence and Malpractice Lawyer and in 2020, as a leading Dust Diseases Lawyer in Victoria.

Vanessa was admitted as a solicitor in 1999 in New South Wales and Victoria and is admitted to practice in the High Court of Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from James Cook University. 

Vanessa is an active member of the Women in Insurance and the Australian Professional Indemnity Group. She has been a been a committee member of both organisations and regularly attends their networking events and educational seminars. 

 

Memberships
  • Law Institute of Victoria
  • Australian Law Association
  • Women In Insurance
  • Treasurer, Victorian Chapter, Australian Professional Indemnity Group