Our People

MICHELLE DUNNE

Admission date

Professional experience

Michelle joined Lee & Lyons as a Senior Associate in 2007. Michelle has experience in a broad range of insurance matters including professional indemnity, public liability, product liability, CTP, motor vehicle and dust diseases litigation. She has also appeared in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal in the Anti-Discrimination division.

For the past 7 years, Michelle has practiced within the area of professional indemnity, with 3.5 of those years working exclusively within the area of health law. Michelle has particular expertise in conducting medical negligence litigation, acting for Doctors, Hospitals, Medical Diagnostic Bodies and Allied Health Professionals. She has also assisted the NSW Public Hospital System and NSW Treasury to investigate incidents to establish appropriate reserves for potential claims and advise on risk management and insurance issues. Michelle has also had exposure to health professionals disciplinary proceedings, NSW Health Care Complaints Commission investigations, Professional Standards Committee and impaired registrar proceedings before the NSW Medical Board and NSW Medical Tribunal proceedings. In addition, Michelle has also been involved in coronial inquests pertaining to deaths within the NSW Public Hospital System.

Further, Michelle has corresponded with the NSW Department of Health in relation to matters of a sensitive nature to which media coverage has been brought to the fore.

Particular areas of specialisation within the area of health law include

• Birth asphyxia causing cerebral palsy.
• Misdiagnosis of conditions such as breast cancer, hydrocephalus and infection.
• Toxic shock syndrome.
• Surgical errors.
• Hypoxic brain injury whilst undergoing anaesthetic.

A particular area of law of interest to Michelle is the issue of loss of a chance.

In addition to health law, Michelle has had experience in defending firms of chartered accountants against claims of negligent financial and superannuation advice. From a public liability perspective Michelle has defended NSW Government bodies and instrumentalities including the Sydney Olympic Parks Authority, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and various local councils within NSW. She has also defended large corporations against claims of negligence from a tortious perspective as well as acting for corporations involved in contractual disputes.

Professional memberships

• Law Society of New South Wales.
• Australian Insurance Lawyers Association.
• Australian Professional Indemnity Group.