Abigail Smith

Abigail's background is in complex investigations, coronial inquests and institutional liability matters. She has developed a specialised practice advising clients in the public and private sectors on sensitive and high profile matters, including coronial proceedings, institutional abuse claims and class action matters.

Abigail approaches her work with a strategic, detail focused mindset, delivering clear, pragmatic advice and working collaboratively with clients to navigate complex and often high stakes litigation.

Experience

Abigail acts for public and private clients in complex litigation, with a focus on coronial inquests and investigations, institutional abuse claims and class actions.

Prior to joining Lander & Rogers, Abigail held senior roles within the Coroners Court of Victoria, where she provided direct legal support to the Victorian State Coroner and the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice, where she acted in a broad range of inquests and commissions of inquiry including represented government agencies in death in custody matters, child death inquests and major public inquiries.

At Lander & Rogers, Abigail has built on this experience by advising and acting for public and private government clients in institutional abuse and personal injury claims and assisting on large scale class action proceedings. She is experienced in managing multi party litigation and navigating the intersection between investigative processes and civil liability exposure.

Abigail's areas of expertise include:

• coronial investigations and inquests
• commissions of inquiry
• class actions
• institutional abuse claims
• medical negligence
• personal injury.

Career highlights

Abigail's career highlights include:

• acting as lead solicitor on the St Basil's Inquiry, a significant coronial investigation into the deaths associated with the COVD-19 outbreak in aged care, which examined complex issues of systemic and public health considerations
• acting as instructing solicitor to the Victorian State Coroner in the* Coronial investigation into the death of Shane Tuck* which examined the link between repetitive head trauma, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and systemic safety reforms in elite sport
• acting as instructing solicitor in appellate proceedings arising from the St Basil’s Inquiry in the Supreme Court of Victoria and Court of Appeal: Konstantin Kontis & Anor v Coroners Court of Victoria & Anor – (S ECI 2022 00252) and Konstantin Kontis & Anor v Coroners Court of Victoria & Anor (S E APCI 2022 0078)
• assisting a private football club in the class action brought by Jarad Maxwell Rooke against the Australian Football League and other parties concerning claims of negligence relating to management of concussion and long-term brain injury in professional sport.