Cathy worked for the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department and the Australian Government Solicitor for 13 years before becoming a barrister. At the Bar her practise focuses on administrative and employment law.

Cathy brings exceptional depth in public sector employment law and has provided advice and conducted litigation in relation to work performance, review of actions, discrimination, discipline, termination, occupational health and safety and worker's compensation.

Cathy has advised and appeared in general projections and unfair dismissal proceedings arising under the Fair Work Act 2009; matters arising under the Equal Opportunity Act 1995; Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996; Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Before joining the Bar, in 2009-2010 Cathy appeared as junior counsel for the Commonwealth in proceedings before the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in which former Commonwealth employees claimed damages for loss allegedly resulting from incorrect advice allegedly given to them about their eligibility to join Commonwealth superannuation.

Cathy was also a member of the team representing the Commonwealth in the Coronial Inquest and Federal Court proceedings arising out of the fire on board HMAS Westralia. She was also a member of the team acting for the Commonwealth in relation to the High Court challenges to the provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 amended by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005.

James v Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission [2010] FCAFC 95 in which the Full Federal Court upheld the validity of Chapter 25 of the Guide to Determining Impairment and Compensation (GARP-M) used to calculate the compensation.

Khiani v Australian Bureau of Statistics [2010] FCA 1059 in which the Federal Court held that the termination of the applicant’s employment on the grounds of underperformance did not constitute adverse action. Mrs Khiani appealed the first instance decision.

Khiani v Australian Bureau of Statistics [2011] FCAFA 109 in which the Full Court dismissed Mrs Khiani's appeal.

Norton v Repatriation Commission [2011] AATA 195 in which the Administrative Appeals Tribunal declined to revisit the question of whether the disease suffered by the veteran was “war caused” for the purposes of a claim for a war widow’s pension.

Davidson v Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency [2011] FWA 3610 in which Fair Work Australia dismissed an application for relief pursuant to s.394 of the Fair Work Act on the basis that there had been no termination at the initiative of the employer. Fair Work Australia was satisfied that the matters relied upon by Mr Davidson (including the commencement of an APS Code of Conduct investigation, a proposal to suspend him from duty pending the outcome of the investigation, restriction of his access to the IT system and the revocation of his security pass) did not amount to a course of conduct taken by the Department that forced Mr Davidson to resign.

Davidson v The Commonwealth of Australia (represented by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) [2011] FWAFB 6265 in which the Full Bench refused Mr Davidson permission to appeal.

Pilan v Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission [2011] AATA 426 in which the Administrative Appeals Tribunal affirmed a decision denying liability to pay compensation under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 in respect of a psychological condition on the basis that Mr Pilan's brief army service was not a contributing factor, but merely the setting in which the condition manifest itself.

Professional associations

* Victorian Bar Indigenous Lawyers Committee
* Industrial Law Bar Association
* Women Barristers Association

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