Catherine Henry

Partner

Email: Send e-mail enquiry

Phone: 02 9264 4474

Practice areas: Medical Negligence

Location: Newcastle

Languages spoken: English

My focus has always been on helping people navigate difficult and often overwhelming situations, and ensuring they are properly supported and represented.

I specialise in medical negligence, aged care and health law, and have spent almost 40 years working exclusively in this area. Over the course of my career, I’ve represented thousands of individuals and families in claims against health and aged care providers, including some of Australia’s most complex and high-profile matters.

My work spans a broad range of areas including medical negligence, allied health claims, aged care litigation and regulation, women’s health and reproductive medicine, and mental health advocacy. I also act in disciplinary matters for health professionals and have experience in conducting inquests.

Before entering private practice, I worked as a senior solicitor at the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, where I investigated and prosecuted disciplinary complaints against medical practitioners including a long running and high profile matter against a well known orthopaedic surgeon who was ultimately deregistered. I have also held the position of Legal Member on both the Pharmacy Council of NSW and the Mental Health Review Tribunal and those experiences have given me a deep understanding of the regulatory environment and how the health system operates—insight that continues to inform my work today

Throughout my career, I’ve also held a number of leadership roles. I was the President of the Newcastle regional law society from 2004-2009. I have been a member of the executive of the NSW Women Lawyers Association (‘WLA’) and different times and established a Newcastle chapter in 2002. More recently I helped to establish the NSW Regional Women Lawyers which works to ensure that women in regional, rural and remote NSW have the same benefits and opportunities as their city counterparts.

In the private sector, I developed and led a health litigation practice at Craddock Murray & Neumann from 1997 where I was a partner and then – upon returning to my hometown of Newcastle in 2002- established their Newcastle office. I later moved the Newcastle practice of CMN to Newcastle personal injury firm King Street Lawyers and, in 2009, rebranded the firm as Catherine Henry Lawyers, building a specialist practice dedicated to medical negligence and health law where I was the sole principal and director. At one time, I employed over 30 staff members.

What has remained consistent throughout my career is a strong commitment to advocating for vulnerable individuals – predominantly those who have been the victims of medical error. Lawyers are uniquely placed to advocate for others less fortunate and I have always embraced opportunities for advocacy in areas such as broader access to healthcare including reproductive services, aged care and disability services and the position of women in the legal system. I have been involved in a number of prominent community campaigns and undertake pro bono work for individuals and organisations.

I am also a regular media commentator on health law, aged care issues and regional health and I continue to present to legal and community groups, as well as contribute to legal education.

Career highlight:

I’ve been fortunate to work on many significant matters throughout my career, but what continues to matter most to me is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives—particularly for those who are vulnerable or navigating complex health-related challenges.

In my own time:

Outside of work, I enjoy staying connected to the Newcastle community and continuing my involvement in initiatives that support access to justice and community wellbeing. I also love spending time with my granddaughter and family.

Qualifications and accreditations: