Sparke Helmore expands health practice with new partner, special counsel

Sparke Helmore has expanded its health practice with a new partner and two special counsel.

Marie-Clare Elder joins the partnership in Sydney, bringing experience in medical negligence and personal injury litigation. A former clinical nurse specialist in intensive care, she has tackled medical negligence proceedings, coronial inquiries, disciplinary and regulatory matters, employment, impaired practitioner hearings, Medicare audits and reviews, privacy complaints and hospital inquiries and investigations.

She was previously senior legal counsel – manager legal services at Medical Insurance Group Australia, where she helmed the eastern seaboard team. She also served as GC/head of legal services for The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Marie Panuccio commences with the Sydney office as special counsel. She is a specialist in defending professional negligence claims; she has also acted for medical indemnity insurers, medical practitioners, nurses, and healthcare facilities in disciplinary proceedings, coronial inquiries, and criminal matters.

Lani Carter returns to Sparke Helmore as a special counsel in the Adelaide branch, heading up the professional indemnity practice in SA and NT. She has helped professional services specialists in their defence against claims and regulatory complaints; moreover, she has handled Royal Commissions and inquiries, property liability claims and recoveries.

Her clients include medical and allied health professionals, lawyers, brokers, accountants, agents and builders.