About
Donna Callaghan
Donna was called to the Bar in 2009. Her interest and expertise lies in personal injuries and health law – an area in which she has been engaged for 27 years. Donna obtained her medical degree from University of Queensland and practiced clinical medicine for over ten years, obtaining Diplomas in both Obstetrics and Anaesthetics and her Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in London.
Donna was employed as State Claims Manager for what is now Australia’s largest medical indemnity company whilst studying law at Queensland University of Technology. Having obtained her LLB Hons 2, she worked as a solicitor and then senior associate at a large national firm in the area of litigation and dispute resolution.
Donna has broadened her experience and expertise in health law with membership on Medical Research Ethics Committees for the University of Queensland and BlueCare. She has written articles for and has been on the editorial panel of the Australian Health Law Bulletin for fifteen years. Donna was the lawyer member of the Queensland Pharmacists Board from 2007 to 2010. She has been involved as a volunteer and Board member of health related not-for-profit organisations for many years. Donna is a long term member and former committee member of the Medico-Legal Society of Queensland.
Donna has been privileged to be on the Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (Berghofer) since mid 2019.
Apart from her experience with medical negligence claims, disciplinary matters and coronial inquests, Donna has over ten years of experience with WorkCover claims, other personal injury claims, as well as having been on the preferred barrister panel for WorkCover Regulator since around 2010.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
