Sophie Pennington has joined Sparke Helmore as a partner in its specialty lines insurance team.  

Ms Pennington specialises in health law and has previously worked as head of medical defence and services at medical defence mutual Avant.  

She has advised public hospitals through the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority and has acted as a defence lawyer for health practitioners involved in civil claims, coronial investigations and disciplinary proceedings.

Ms Pennington has also worked with insurers on issues of risk management, indemnity, and contribution and apportionment matters.  

She and her team of two lawyers join Sparke Helmore from HWL Ebsworth, where she was also a partner. 

Sparke Helmore health group leader Marie-Clare Elder says Ms Pennington “brings a wealth of experience to our market-leading health team, deepening our local and national coverage and reinforcing our commitment to the broader health sector both in Australia and internationally”.