Lawyer and 2021 Newcastle Woman of the Year

It is still rare for women to establish and run a legal firm but Catherine Henry did so more than 10 years ago as part of a 30 plus year legal career.

Catherine is passionate about using the law to gain justice for people and force better professional standards and reform – particularly in health and aged care in regional areas. The firm does a lot of work for victims of poor cosmetic surgery and has been representing more than 180 women who have suffered at the hands of disgraced cosmetic surgeon, Dr Les Blackstock.

She gives her time to several causes, social justice campaigns, and community groups and works on issues which have recently included abortion reform and aged care reform. She works with other social justice organisations such as the National Justice Project which supports vulnerable social groups. She helped to establish the Hunter Ageing Alliance and in 2020 was awarded the national 2020 Australian Lawyers Alliance Civil Justice Award in recognition of her years of advocacy and support to others.

Catherine credits in part her politician and social justice advocate mother, the late Margaret Henry, as one who encouraged her drive to make Newcastle and other communities better places for all.  Catherine works with others on an annual memorial lecture named in her mum’s name.

A role model and mentor to many women lawyers, Catherine also advocates for gender equity in her profession. She founded the Newcastle chapter of the NSW Women Lawyers Association –one of several legal groups in which she is involved. Her efforts in the community, and in her profession, saw Catherine named as the 2021 Newcastle Woman of the Year.

My family

My beautiful daughter Isobel is completing a nursing degree. We live in the centre of Newcastle with our poodle Billie. Billie is the office dog and comes to work with me most days – we have her listed on the firm’s website as a member of the team.

The UK

I lived and worked in the UK for several years in my younger days and as a result, the UK always has a special place in my heart. Before COVID 19, I travelled to the UK and Europe each year. I follow trends in health and medical law there because as a practice area it is more developed than in Australia.

Choral music

I grew up with music and toyed with the idea of becoming a music teacher during high school. I played the cello and for many years played and taught the piano. This has translated to a love of choral music. I’ve been fortunate to sing in some great choirs – the Sydney Philharmonia and St Marys at Waverly when living in Sydney. Before the time pressures of running a law firm, I used to sing in the Newcastle Cathedral Choir.     

Cricket

My family were great cricket enthusiasts and I used to score for my brother’s team. I watched many tests and Sheffield Shield matches at the SCG during my teens. I get to the Sydney Test most years. One of my cricketing highlights was watching the Australia v West Indies series in the Caribbean.  

Community justice

I am involved in many causes and campaigns – probably too many. I try to use my legal skills to help advocate for community and social justice particularly for the vulnerable and marginalised. I am passionate about gender equality and women’s rights, not only in the legal profession but on issues such as abortion. 

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