Presenters

Jessica Mackenzie, Partner, Rankin Ellison Lawyers
Jessica specialises in insurance litigation with an emphasis on Dust Diseases litigation. Jessica joined Rankin Ellison in 2020 as Special Counsel and was appointed as a Partner in 2022. She has worked in personal injury litigation since 2005. Following her admission in 2009, Jessica proved her ongoing commitment to personal injury litigation by achieving her Law Society Specialist Accreditation in personal injury law in 2014. Practicing solely in Dust Diseases litigation since 2013, she has conducted claims in both New South Wales and Queensland. Jessica has worked for both Plaintiff and Defendant law firms, developing a diverse range of skills. Now litigating complex liability and damages claims, she pays particular attention to evidence presented by her opposition in order to ensure the most appropriate response to claims. Jessica prides herself on providing timely and quality advice, ensuring that the forensic and strategic direction of a case is taken care of. Her strong advocacy skills have earned her a well-deserved reputation in the NSW Dust Diseases jurisdiction.

Kate Cole OAM FAIOH, Certified Occupational Hygienist, Director, Cole Health
Kate Cole OAM is a multiple award-winning scientist, engineer and Certified Occupational Hygienist who has dedicated her career to the prevention of work-related disease. Her work on preventing silicosis has been informed by the completion of a Winston Churchill Fellowship and her extensive work on major construction and tunnelling projects in Australia and abroad. Kate is the past President of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists, the former co-chair of the National Silicosis Prevention Strategy Expert Steering Committee, a member of the NSW Dust Diseases Board, and sits on the Asbestos and Silica Safety Eradication Agency’s Council. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to workplace health and safety, Kate was awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia and was included in the Covid-19 Honour Roll in the 2022 Australia Day Honours. Kate now works as an independent consultant while completing her PhD at the University of Sydney where she is researching respirable crystalline silica exposures to tunnel construction workers.