Margaret Byrnes
Consultant
Margaret specialises in acting for health professionals predominantly in defence of civil claims of medical negligence, representing health practitioners at coronial inquests and in disciplinary proceedings.
Margaret's experience spans more than 30 years during which time she has represented and advised health professionals, medical indemnity insurers and medical defence organisations. She also provides risk management advice to South Australia's leading medical defence organisation and individual health professionals.
Margaret is widely known for her extremely efficient and proactive defence of claims made against her clients. This allows ready identification of those claims which are amenable to prompt alternative dispute resolution and those which require robust defence to trial.
With an enviable reputation, Margaret’s expertise is recognised internationally. In 2020 Margaret was awarded the prestigious International Medical Professional Liability Industry Defender award, recognising her outstanding contribution to medical defence law via her outstanding representation of physicians, health practices and hospitals. In Australia, Margaret has appeared in the preeminent Best Lawyers Australia since its inception in 2008 and in 2011, 2017 and 2019 Margaret was named the Lawyer of the Year for her work in the Health Law sector (Adelaide). Additionally, in 2018-2020 Margaret was listed as 'Market Leader' in Doyles Guide to Leading Medical Defence Lawyers. She is also recognised in Doyles Guide as a ‘Leading' Lawyer in the areas of Professional Indemnity law and in Health and Aged Care law (South Australia).
Memberships / associations
- The Law Society of South Australia
- Australian Insurance Law Association
Areas of Practice
- Corporate Services
- Medical
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Insurance
Honours & Awards
- Margaret Byrnes | 2022/23 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health Law
- Leading Medical Negligence & Malpractice Law Firms (Def) - South Australia - 2021 Doyles Guide
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide- Preeminent Medical Negligence & Malpractice Lawyer (Def) - 2021 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | 2021/22 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health Law
- Leading Medical Negligence Law Firms - South Australia - 2020 Doyles Guide
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide- Leading Medical Negligence Malpractice Lawyers (Defendant) 2020 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide - Leading Professional Indemnity Lawyers 2020 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide - Leading Health & Aged Care Lawyers 2020 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | 2020/21 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health Law
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide - ‘Market Leader’ in Medical Negligence Lawyers (Defendant) 2019 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | 2019/20 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health & Aged Care Law
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide - ‘Market Leader’ in Medical Negligence Lawyers (Defendant) 2018 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | 2018/19 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health & Aged Care Law
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide - Preeminent Medical Negligence Lawyers (Defendant) 2017 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | 2017 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health & Aged Care
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide - Medical Negligence Lawyers (Defendant) 2016 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | Doyles Guide - Professional Indemnity Lawyers 2016 (SA)
- Margaret Byrnes | 2016 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health & Aged Care
- Margaret Byrnes | 2015 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health & Aged Care
- Margaret Byrnes | 2014 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health & Aged Care
- Margaret Byrnes | 2013 Best Lawyers Australia Listing - Health & Aged Care
- Margaret Byrnes | 2012 Best Lawyer & Lawyer of the Year (Adelaide) - Health Law Sector