Explore the evolving landscape of institutional abuse litigation from the scope of liability and evidentiary proof in litigation, to redress, recovery and best practice in conducting abuse claims. Through in-depth case analysis, updates on non-delegable duties and discussion of evidentiary challenges post-GLJ, the program offers a critical look at current and emerging issues shaping this complex field. Gain insight into the approaching end of the National Redress Scheme, practical strategies for trauma-informed ADR, and professional guidance on managing expert evidence in historical claims. Designed for plaintiff and defendant lawyers alike, you will gain essential updates, professional skill development and forward-looking analysis on the future of abuse law practice in Australia.

Presenters

Leanne Mcdonald, Special Counsel, Kennedy Spanner Lawyers
Leanne is a legal powerhouse compensation lawyer, with a remarkable career spanning over two decades. She brings her wealth of experience to the forefront, advocating for countless injured individuals with unwavering dedication. In her role, Leanne tackles a diverse range of compensation law matters, however, it’s her expertise in abuse law that truly sets her apart. Having represented hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse, Leanne approaches each case with a unique blend of legal prowess and heartfelt compassion, guiding her clients through the civil process with sensitivity and understanding. Leanne’s impact extends far beyond the courtroom. A true champion of reform, she tirelessly advocates for improvements in the civil process for victim survivors, earning recognition and accolades for her groundbreaking work. As Chair of the Queensland and National Abuse Law Special Interest Group for the Australian Lawyers Alliance, Leanne leads the charge for change, making a tangible difference in the lives of those she serves. One of Leanne’s most notable career highlights includes her pivotal role in the legal battle for justice in the case of Annette Mason’s murder, a pursuit that ultimately led to her being honoured with the prestigious Australian Lawyers Alliance 2019 Queensland Civil Justice Award. Beyond her legal endeavours, Leanne is deeply engaged in the legal community, holding positions in various associations and organizations. From her involvement with the Australian Lawyers Alliance and the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland to her role as Chair of the Child Protection Practitioners Association of Queensland, Leanne is a force to be reckoned with, dedicated to driving positive change in her field. With Leanne by your side, you can rest assured that your legal matters will be handled with unparalleled expertise, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Maithri Panagoda AM, Partner, Carroll & O’Dea
Maithri Panagoda has over 48 years of experience in litigation and dispute resolution. He heads a team at Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers dedicated to representing survivors of historical abuse. An Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law since 1994, he has acted for over 250 members of the Stolen Generations. He is a member of the Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee. He is an Adjunct Professor of the School of Law, University of Notre Dame.

Danielle De Paoli, Special Counsel & State Team Leader, Maurice Blackburn
Danielle De Paoli is Special Counsel of Maurice Blackburn's Parramatta office. She is a Law Society of NSW Personal Injury Accredited Specialist who has been helping people in Sydney and throughout NSW with motor vehicle compensation claims for 11 years. Danielle is also a senior member of the firm's national sexual and institutional abuse compensation team and has a particular interest in bringing claims for the survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She is specially trained in trauma informed practice which ensures she works with clients to access justice in a way that recognises the complex trauma they have suffered., Danielle is approachable and provides her clients with advice in plain English to help understand the legal process. She also speaks Italian. Danielle was born and raised in Griffith and is a proud mother of three.

Rachel Neil, Executive Director - Integrated Services, Knowmore
Rachel Neil is the Executive Director - Integrated Services at Knowmore Legal Service, based in the Brisbane office. Knowmore is a free, national community legal service providing assistance and referrals to survivors of child sexual abuse. Rachel has worked at Knowmore since 2019 and has worked in the community legal sector for many years in various roles. She has spent her legal career committed to helping vulnerable people to access their rights within a strong framework of trauma informed practice.

Thomas Felizzi, Partner, Carroll &O’Dea
Thomas Felizzi is a Partner in the compensation team at Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers. Thomas is dedicated to keeping his clients informed while building strong relationships and achieving effective outcomes for their matters. He has worked on Stolen Generations matters and helps clients attain apologies and compensation for the wrong they have suffered as a result of being removed from their family. He has described the experience as a steep learning curve and an opportunity to learn about the first people and culture of Australia. Thomas also works on a variety of personal injury claims in respect of workers compensation, work injury damages, public liability, motor vehicle accidents, life insurance, international tort, discrimination law and product liability. He has litigated matters in the Supreme Court and District Court across several jurisdictions.


Professor Maria Harries, Co-Director, Ferret Consulting; Adjunct Professor Curtin University
Professor Maria Harries AM is a nationally and internationally recognised social work practitioner, researcher, and scholar in the areas of child and family wellbeing, child protection/maltreatment, family violence and mental health over a career spanning fifty years. She has undertaken multiple reviews of services, conducted inquiries into child deaths and incidents of serious malpractice, and has led and been engaged in re-designs of child and youth safety services across Australian jurisdictions. She has often testified as an expert witness and is experienced at preparing reports for civil court matters. Professor Harries has been particularly active in establishing and supporting services for vulnerable populations including survivors of abuse including sexual abuse. She has always pursued an evidence-base that links academic research to teaching, policy development and practice excellence. She is a co-founder of Ferret Consulting.

Greg Choat, Special Counsel, Koffels Solicitors & Barristers
Greg has practiced as a family, personal injury and general litigation lawyer over the course of nearly 20 years in the law. He currently works almost exclusively bringing historical sexual abuse litigation on behalf of plaintiffs.

Luke Geary, Partner, Mills Oakley
Luke has a particular expertise assisting institutions in responding to claims of child sexual abuse under a restorative justice framework and in accordance with best practice principles identified by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. In this regard, Luke appeared as a legal advisor in a number of public hearings before the Royal Commission, he participated in many of the Royal Commission’s roundtables (both public and private) for the development of policy positions and has appeared before the Australian Senate Committee and worked with the Commonwealth Redress Taskforce in its design of the National Redress Bill (which is anticipated to provide assistance in justice outcomes for approximately 60,000 Australians). Luke is regularly briefed by major institutions in the most sensitive and significant common law abuse claims and assists in their delicate resolution in a trauma-informed way. Additionally, Luke acts for survivors of abuse in claims against State government institutions, assisting them to obtain either common law or redress justice outcomes compassionately and giving them assistance in finding healing in their lives. Luke was named one of Australia’s Best Lawyers for Non-Profit/Charities Law in the 2023/2024 Best Lawyers list for the eighth consecutive year, including in both 2020/2021 and 2023/2024 being named as Australia’s Non-Profit/Charities ‘Lawyer of the Year’.

Naomi Bryant, Legal Practitioner and Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS), Bryant Mediations

Sean Bowes, Manager of Advocacy and Law Reform, Knowmore

Karen Stott, Founder and Principal at Karen Stott – ADR & Mediation Services
Karen Stott has been a full-time mediator and facilitator since 2016, with over 20 years of litigation experience acting for plaintiffs and defendants. Karen’s mediations practice covers a range of matters including abuse law, medical negligence, motor accidents, worker injury, occupier liability, professional negligence, commercial matters, building & construction, insolvency, and the like. Mediation of abuse claims has been a large component of Karen’s practice for many years, involving a range of respondents / institutions and across multiple jurisdictions. Karen is a Court-appointed mediator to the ACT Magistrates and Supreme Courts. She has been named by ‘Doyle’s List’ as a Leading Mediator NSW each year since 2018.

Jacqueline Waugh, Partner, Makinson d’Apice
Jacqueline is an industry expert in all areas of negligence law with nearly 15 years of experience in private practice, combined with 10 years of experience in the legal knowledge and publishing industry, including in the role of Deputy Head of Legal Content for Australia and New Zealand. Jacqueline displays diligence and excellence in everything she does and strives to deliver efficient and effective advice and legal services to her clients. She has a deep knowledge of all areas of torts law and has gained extensive experience in both litigated and unlitigated claims in all jurisdictions, as well as all forms of alternative dispute resolution.


Professor Bob Lonne, Consultant, Ferret Consulting
Bob Lonne, PhD is a Professor of Social Work with a distinguished 40-year practice, managerial, academic and research career in child protection, being an advocate for systemic reform and prevention strategies for child abuse and neglect. He has consulted for a range of Australian and international agencies about practice, policy and system developments. He is an accomplished author and was a former National President of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Professor Lonne has completed numerous high-quality reports as a legal expert witness in civil litigation, Coronial inquiries and judicial inquiries; being cited over 40 times in the final report of the Queensland Carmody judicial inquiry into the child protection system. His reputation is for combining extensive research of the legal/institutional context with a hands-on understanding of how policies and culture shape practice, and how this can lead to harm and unintended consequences. Professor Lonne is the co-founder of Ferret Consulting.