Marie Panuccio

What she does

Marie has advised and represented multiple medical practitioners of varying specialties on issues of informed consent, assault and trespass, negligent diagnoses, catastrophic claims and all aspects of medical negligence litigation in both the Supreme and District Courts of NSW.

She also has specialist expertise in defending medical practitioners and healthcare facilities in criminal matters, as well as disciplinary and statutory work involving professional conduct complaints to the Health Care Complaints Commission, statutory bodies and regulatory committees, and tribunal hearings. Marie regularly provides advice and representation to medical practitioners facing the complex and multifaceted consequences of criminal charges and proceedings on their employment, registration/accreditation and practising conditions.

Marie has also completed a secondment as a claims manager with Australia’s leading medical defence organisation where she managed a mixed portfolio of civil, disciplinary and coronial investigations at various points in the claim cycle. She also provided advice and guidance on the indemnification and reserving of claims, formulated claims management strategies and directly assisted insured members with their challenges across the legal spectrum.

Who she works with

Marie regularly works with medical defence organisations and insurers, medical practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals, hospitals and healthcare facilities. 

Qualifications

Marie has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney. She is admitted to practice in New South Wales and the High Court of Australia.

Life before Sparkes

Marie commenced her career as a solicitor at the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office, acting for the State of NSW with respect to intentional tort and negligence claims against the NSW Police Force. Marie then spent 6.5 years at a small private firm where she honed her expertise in health law, including representing medical practitioners in high value and complex claims as well as high profile disciplinary proceedings. She also continued to act for various NSW and Commonwealth Government agencies advising on privacy risks, intentional torts, and defamation. Marie has also been a finalist in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation category for the 2021 Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards. 

Life outside of Sparkes

When Marie isn’t exploring the latest gelato bar or eating the world’s offering of pasta, you will find her hiking, skiing or climbing glaciers across the globe.