Kelly Keane

Kelly Keane is an experienced lawyer with over 26 years in personal injury law, currently serving as Associate Director at Whitelaw McDonald in Sydney. Accredited by the NSW Law Society as a Specialist in Personal Injury Law, Kelly has a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape from both plaintiff and defendant perspectives. Early in her career, Kelly worked exclusively for a defendant personal injury firm, managing its Sydney office. In this role, she was responsible for supervising and mentoring solicitors and staff across various areas including workers compensation, work injury damages, motor accident law, public liability, and dust disease litigation. She also acted as the liaison partner for prominent government and private employers, providing expert advice and representation in all aspects of defendant personal injury litigation. Motivated by a desire to ensure fair treatment for injured individuals, Kelly transitioned to represent plaintiffs. Over approximately 16 years, she led a leading plaintiff personal injury law firm, overseeing a significant portfolio of clients in workers compensation, motor accidents, public liability, dust disease, total and permanent disability claims, and superannuation policy matters. Her responsibilities included mentoring compensation lawyers, managing complex personal injury cases, and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for clients. Kelly is recognised for her commitment to achieving justice through a straightforward, empathetic approach. She combines her extensive legal expertise with compassion, understanding the challenges her clients face and providing clear, accessible advice. As head of the Sydney office, she also regularly liaises with clients across Whitelaw McDonald’s interstate and regional branches, ensuring consistent and personalised legal support. Admitted to practice before the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Kelly is an active member of the Law Society of New South Wales. Her experience encompasses medical negligence, institutional abuse, Family Provision Act claims, workers compensation, work injury damages, motor accident claims, public liability, dust disease law, and TPD and superannuation policy based claims. Kelly believes in solving legal challenges with a blend of expertise, patience, and a touch of humour, making her a trusted advocate for her clients throughout their legal journey.