Meet our People

Kelly specialises in commercial disputes and investigations, with particular expertise in regulatory and law enforcement investigations. Prior to joining Gadens, Kelly worked at two top-tier Australian law firms, in the enforcement team at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and as Chief Legal Counsel and Head of Government Affairs and Policy for one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies.

She advises clients operating in highly regulated industries, including financial services, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy and resources, FMCG, manufacturing, telecommunications, transport (aviation, heavy vehicles, rail) and technology. Kelly represents her clients in proceedings and investigations undertaken by Australia’s peak regulators including ASIC, AFCA, ACCC, AFP, AUSTRAC, Border Force, TGA, OAIC, the Ombudsman, transport safety regulators and the Professional Services Review agency. Kelly also has experience advising on multijurisdictional investigations, including by the US Department of Justice, the UK Serious Fraud Office and the US FDA.

In addition, Kelly has deep expertise in government inquiries, including advising clients appearing before Royal Commissions and other Parliamentary inquiries. This includes advising clients on public policy strategies and preparing submissions in connection with proposed legislative reform and related advocacy. Kelly was a member of the Medicines Australia taskforce responsible for negotiating and implementing the 2018 Strategic Agreement, and associated legislative amendments, between the innovative medicines industry and the Federal Government.

Kelly also acts in a range of general commercial disputes including contractual disputes, advertising disputes, consumer law, intellectual property, product liability, tort and administrative law actions.

She provides strategic advice in relation to financial services regulation, public sector accountability, anti-bribery and corruption, therapeutic goods regulation, and government procurement. This has included strategic advice on submissions to Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for reimbursement of medicines, vaccines and diagnostics, government and hospital supply tenders.

Kelly is an experienced company director in the healthcare and creative arts industries and is a member of the Human Research Ethics Committees of the Royal Children’s Hospital and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Kelly is also a member of the Advisory Council to the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner.

Kelly is recognised as a Best Lawyer in the area of Litigation by Best Lawyers Australia.