If you are new to or only recently started running or defending psychological injury claims or would like a refresher, then join a prominent psychiatrist working in the field, senior counsel, and leading experts in the area who will walk you through the fundamentals of the medicine, the law, and how it all fits together. 

Presenters

Mr. Michael Lombard, Principal, Lombard Mediation
Michael Lombard is a mediator specialising in personal injury claims at Lombard Mediation. Michael was formerly a Partner at Adviceline Injury lawyers when he was awarded Personal Injury Lawyer of the year 2019 by Best Lawyers in Australia. He was previously involved in high profile cases such as the Bourke street rampage and the Flinders street tram stop attack, as well as a variety of public liability and industrial accident cases. He attained accreditation in Mediation in 2013 and now practices exclusively as a mediator. Michael has also served as a director of the Law Institute and is a current member of the Law Institute ethics committee. He was a Trustee of Lawaid for 10 years, four of which he acted as chairman.


Ms. Amy Johnstone, Barrister, Greens List
Amy is a common law barrister, practicing primarily in negligence and personal injury matters, for both plaintiffs and defendants. She accepts briefs in medical negligence, dust diseases, public and product liability, institutional abuse and intentional tort cases. She also appears in administrative law matters relating to the judicial review of medical panel decisions, as well as coronial inquests. Prior to joining the Bar, Amy was a Senior Associate in the medical negligence team at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. During her time as a solicitor, Amy acted for plaintiffs in litigated matters of all sizes and complexities, including speedy trials. She also has experience in coronial investigations and inquests. In 2021, Amy was accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Specialist in Personal Injury Law. Amy holds a Juris Doctor (Laws) from Monash University. She also has a Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) and Masters in Social Science (Policy and Human Services) from RMIT. Amy is reading with Patrick Over. Her senior mentor is Fiona Ryan SC.


Dr. Michael Epstein, Psychiatrist, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Dr Michael Epstein is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. He has had extensive clinical experience and was a psychiatrist at Fairlea women’s prison for six years. He was a member of the forensic leave panel at the Thomas Embling Hospital for 21 years and is currently a member of the Medical Panels. He was secretary of the RANZCP and has been a consultant to the West Australian government and the Commonwealth government on mental health issues. He had written three books including “Falling Apart-living with stress breakdown”, “The Savage club Mystery” and most recently “The Guide to Civil Psychiatric Assessment” (available on Amazon). He is a co-author of the GEPIC and has trained approximately 150 psychiatrists in Victoria and South Australia in its use.


Mr. Tim Tobin SC, Lennon’s List
Tim Tobin QC was called to the Bar in 1983 and since taking silk in 2002, has mainly acted in personal injury litigation including bushfire and major tort class actions. He is a foundation member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance and a long term member of American Association for Justice (previously ATLA) and APIL. He is also a past member of the Victorian Bar Council, member of the LIV/AMA VicBar, Medico Legal Committee and on the board of the College of Law.


Ms. Genna Angelowitsch, Barrister, Green’s List
Genna is a common law barrister, practicing primarily in personal injury and insurance law. She accepts briefs in transport accident cases, WorkCover and industrial injuries, medical negligence, public liability, police torts, VOCAT and sexual abuse cases. She also appears in administrative law matters relating to the judicial review of medical panel decisions, as well as coronial inquests. Prior to joining the Bar, Genna worked as a solicitor for over ten years in the personal injury department at Holding Redlich (now trading as Redlichs’ Work Injury Lawyers). During her time as a solicitor, Genna managed files across the complete spectrum of personal injury law, particularly in transport accident, industrial injury, medical negligence, public liability and sexual abuse cases. She also instructed in numerous hearings, including VCAT disputes with the TAC, Magistrates Court matters in WorkCover, applications for Serious Injury Certificates in the County Court, common law trials, and appeals in the Court of Appeal (both administrative and substantial). Genna also has extensive experience in the Coroner’s Court, including acting for the family of Gong Ling Tang who died shortly after being in custody at Dandenong Police Station, and acting for the families of the six individuals who died in the Bourke Street attack in January 2017. In 2017, Genna was accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Specialist in Personal Injury Law. In 2019, Genna was a Finalist at the National Women in Law Awards in both the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year and Senior Associate of the Year categories. In 2020, Genna was again a Finalist in the National Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year category. In 2020 and 2021, she was recognised by her peers through a listing in Doyle’s Guide as a Recommended practitioner in the Motor Accident Compensation, Work Injury Compensation and Public Liability Compensation categories respectively. Genna has authored several articles featured in the Law Institute Journal and Precedent magazine, distributed by the Australian Lawyers’ Alliance. Since 2016, Genna has been a member of the editorial committee for Precedent magazine.