Melinda is an experienced barrister, advocate and dispute resolution expert.
Melinda was called to the private Bar in 2011. She holds tertiary qualifications in law, nursing, and education.
Her areas of interest and legal expertise extend to mediations, coronial inquests, personal injuries, in particular medical negligence, and commissions of inquiry.
Melinda is regularly briefed to appear in medical and non-medical inquests. In total, Melinda has appeared in over 40 inquests, many being high-profile inquests attracting significant media attention. She has proven capabilities in the jurisdiction, acting either as Counsel Assisting the Coroner/State Coroner, or in representing a party granted leave to appear at inquest.
In 2020/2021 she acted as one of the Junior Counsel Assisting in the Commonwealth Disability Royal Commission.
Melinda’s civil practice is in medical negligence and public liability insurance. She is regularly briefed by medico legal insurers and general.
Melinda has been recognised in Doyles Guide as:
- Recommended Counsel for Leading Professional Indemnity Junior Counsel – Queensland and Leading Insurance & Personal Injury Law Junior Counsel in Queensland (2022);
- Recommended Counsel for Leading Professional Indemnity Junior Counsel – Queensland and Leading Insurance & Personal Injury Law Junior Counsel in Queensland (2022);
- Recommended Counsel for Leading Professional Indemnity Junior Counsel in Queensland and Recommended Counsel for Leading Insurance & Personal Injury Junior Counsel in Queensland (2021);
- Recommended Counsel for Leading Professional Indemnity Junior Counsel in Queensland (2020); and
- Recommended Counsel for Leading Insurance & Personal Injury Junior Counsel in Queensland (2016).
Prior to being called to the Bar, Melinda worked:
- as a solicitor in the professional indemnity group at a large Brisbane law firm (running complicated civil litigation predominantly representing engineers and architects);
- as in-house legal counsel for the Department of Community Safety gaining experience in a range of commercial, personal injury and coronial inquest matters. Whilst working for the Department, Melinda was awarded an Australia Day Achievement Medallion for the provision of exceptional legal services.
- as a nursing clinician, educator and nurse manager during a 17-year successful nursing career.
Melinda combines her medical and legal experience and expertise with empathy to assist not only her clients, but all parties, in achieving meaningful resolution of their cases. Melinda is recognised as providing an excellent service founded on strong client relationships and respect for opposing parties and their representatives.