Kate Waterford

Kate Waterford is a distinguished Partner at Maliganis Edwards Johnson, where she leads the firm's medical negligence and broader personal injury practice. Her expertise encompasses areas such as public liability, birth trauma, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases. A highly regarded figure in medical negligence litigation, Kate has been recognised as a pre-eminent lawyer in this domain by the Doyle's Guide. A native of Canberra, Kate is deeply engaged with her local community through her dedicated volunteer work. She holds various board positions across the healthcare and non-profit sectors, highlighting her commitment to community service and governance. Her academic background as a university lecturer and senior legal adviser provides a solid foundation for her current role. In addition to her legal work, she contributes scholarly expertise as the current author and editor of the 'Medicine' title in Halsbury's Laws of Australia, a key resource in health law. Since joining Maliganis Edwards Johnson in 2022, Kate has continued to excel, drawing on her extensive background in litigation that spans roles from a Law Clerk to Senior Associate and Special Counsel. Her career includes significant experience at Kemp Strang, where she was involved in commercial litigation covering insolvency, bankruptcy, and regulatory compliance, among others. Kate's commitment to legal education is evident through her role as a regular guest lecturer at ANU Medical School, where she educates future medical professionals on critical health law topics. Her governance roles are extensive, including positions with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Amnesty International, and the Fred Hollows Foundation, demonstrating her expertise in governance and corporate responsibility. Her educational qualifications are impressive, holding an LLB with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney, a Master of Laws from the Australian National University, and a Master of Commerce in Accounting. She has further honed her governance skills through various courses at the Australian Institute of Company Directors and other leadership programs. Fluent in Spanish and several other languages, Kate embodies a rare blend of legal acumen, community involvement, and academic contributions, making her a formidable advocate for those impacted by personal injuries and medical negligence.