Edward Smith has been involved in litigated civil proceedings in state and federal courts
Wotton + Kearney (W+K) has expanded its health law practice with the appointment of former Lander & Rogers lawyer Edward Smith as partner.
Smith specialises in health law and has acted for public health services and practitioners for more than a decade. He has tackled matters involving coronial inquests as well as regulatory and disciplinary matters.
He has been involved in litigated civil proceedings in state and federal courts, medical negligence and class action proceedings. He has a special interest in cyber and privacy issues within the government health sector. His broad pro bono practice focuses on mental health and refugee advocacy.
Smith previously secured a judgment in favour of a metropolitan public health service in a medical negligence matter concerning "usual practice" evidence from the Victorian Court of Appeal. He also conducted a judicial review into the authority of Medical Panels authority to make determinations regarding the medical causation of impairment.
Additionally, he provided coverage advice to reinsurers in multiple class action proceedings against the state of Victoria for infection prevention and control measures implemented as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also assisted state government entities on the statutory privacy implications of data breaches by contractors.
Smith secured a Full Federal Court of Appeal judgment for a pro bono client; in this matter, he clarified the Federal Government's interpretation of Medevac provisions in the Migration Act 1958.
