Kennedys adds special counsel from Wotton Kearney as new partner
Global law firm Kennedys has bolstered its healthcare practice with the appointment of a new partner, who came across from BigLaw rival Wotton Kearney, where she served as a special counsel.
Natalie Orola (pictured) has joined Kennedys as a partner in its Brisbane office, bringing over 15 years of experience acting for Australian and international insurers in medical defence litigation and professional indemnity claims involving medical practitioners and allied health professionals.
Orola has come across from Wotton Kearney, where she spent over five years as a special counsel. Prior to this, she was a senior claims manager and practice manager at Avant Mutual, and before that, an associate at Moray & Agnew.
Her practice, Kennedys said in a statement, encompasses the defence of medical negligence claims, disciplinary proceedings, coronial investigations and inquests, and Medicare inquiries and complaints, and she advises medical defence organisations, underwriting agencies, brokers and self-insured healthcare entities on liability, quantum, and intricate coverage issues across healthcare and professional lines.
The news follows the appearance of Kennedys senior partner John Bruce and Asia-Pacific managing partner Matt Andrews on an episode of Legal Firesides, produced exclusively for members of Lawyers Weekly Premium, in which the pair discussed their respective journeys to senior leadership roles, their perceptions on management difficulties in the current climate, the need for collaborative approaches, bridging generational divides, maintaining the right culture in such a big legal practice, and why Australia is an “incredibly important” market for the global firm.
It also follows the firm’s promotion of one Australian lawyer to partner in May and its elevation of four to special counsel and seven to senior associate in September.
Speaking about the appointment, Kennedys partner and healthcare team lead Cindy Tucker said: “Natalie will be an excellent addition as we expand Kennedys’ national healthcare presence.
“With over 15 years’ experience acting for insurers and her practical approach, she is a great cultural fit for Kennedys and will play a key role in growing our healthcare practice in the region.”
Orola said: “The firm’s insurance expertise and well-established healthcare credentials align perfectly with my practice.
“I look forward to contributing to the firm’s national growth plans and strengthening its footprint in Brisbane and the wider Queensland market.”
Kennedys has operated in Australia since 2006, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Globally, the firm has nearly 3,000 staff across 45 offices in 18 countries. As of 1 December, the firm has 25 partners and 259 staff Down Under.
Jerome Doraisamy is the managing editor of Lawyers Weekly and HR Leader. He is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in New South Wales, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
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