Kennedys strengthens Australian healthcare practice with new partner appointment

We have appointed healthcare specialist Natalie Orola as a partner in our Brisbane office.

Joining from Wotton Kearney, Natalie brings more than 15 years’ experience acting for Australian and international insurers in medical defence litigation and professional indemnity claims involving medical practitioners and allied health professionals.  

Her practice encompasses the defence of medical negligence claims, disciplinary proceedings, coronial investigations and inquests, and Medicare inquiries and complaints. She also advises medical defence organisations, underwriting agencies, brokers and self-insured healthcare entities on liability, quantum, and intricate coverage issues across healthcare and professional lines.

Natalie has previously held senior claims and practice management roles within an Australian medical defence organisation, gaining critical insight into claims strategy, risk management, and the operational drivers of medical indemnity providers. This experience underpins her pragmatic, commercially attuned approach to defending healthcare professionals and advising insurers on complex indemnity issues.

Commenting on her appointment, partner Cindy Tucker, who leads our Australian healthcare team, 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.”

A regular publisher and speaker, Natalie’s contributes to a number of leading healthcare law publications including the Australian Health Law Bulletin.

Natalie added: “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.”

Established in 2022, our Brisbane office specialises in coverage and defence work for local and global insurers. Expertise includes high-value/complex first party property disputes, property liability claims, trade credit, fraud and professional indemnity claims.

We have operated in Australia since 2006, with offices also in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Globally, our leading healthcare team advises healthcare professionals and their insurers, and private and public sector hospitals, on clinical and medical law issues.