Dora Cosentino
Partner, Melbourne
I specialise in asbestos and dust diseases, public and products liability, coronial inquests and inquiries and claims involving allegations of sexual abuse. Most of the litigation I handle is in the County, Supreme and Coroners Court of Victoria. I am highly aware of the reputational risks facing litigants in Victoria, and pride myself on my pragmatism, approachability and technical excellence.

A central focus of Dora's practice is negligence in the context of personal injury claims and investigations. In the course of my work, I regularly am required to assess the existence of a duty of care, the breach of that duty, if so, the value of the claim. This analysis is relevant to the majority of my practice, particularly in relation to asbestos and dust diseases, abuse claims and public liability matters.

My skill-set in assessing risk in this space also is highly relevant to the Coronial jurisdiction – I regularly represent interested parties at inquests, and am required to analyse and foresee potential adverse recommendations from the Coroner, which often directly inform the particulars of negligence against our clients.

I have a strong appreciation of the Model Litigant Guidelines, and always approach my work and advice with pragmatism, commerciality and with a comprehensive understanding of underlying legal principle.

Career highlights  

  • Allianz, QBE Insurance, AAI Limited and the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority: Assisting with liability and quantum advice in relation to Supreme Court personal injury (asbestos) claims made against entities insured by Allianz, QBE Insurance, AAI Limited and the VMIA.
  • Vero/Suncorp: Acting on behalf of various engineered stone manufacturers in the context of silicosis claims.
  • Municipal Association of Australia (MAV): Acting on behalf of the MAV in public liability matters involving personal injury. Recently acted in a cluster of 18 claims arising as a result of a balcony collapse causing multiple injuries.
  • Victoria Police / Department of Justice and Community Safety: Acting on behalf of Victoria Police and the DJCS in personal injury claims involving negligence and intentional torts, as well as in Coronial Inquests and Inquiries involving police shootings or deaths in custody.
  • Ansvar: Acting on behalf of Ansvar insureds in respect of personal injury claims.