Jody Cosgrove

Senior Principal Lawyer

Jody joined Crown Law in 1997 after working in the private sector. Her experience has been primarily in the area of litigation, with a particular focus on test cases and project work. In 2003 and 2004, Jody took extended leave from Crown Law, during which she worked as a solicitor in the litigation section of Westminster City Council, London.

  • Acting for the State in the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program (2014).
  • Acting as the sole solicitor appointed to the Queensland Fuel Subsidy Inquiry (2007).
  • Successfully representing the State in Lemeki v State of Queensland and Anor [2014] QCAT 424, which involved a complaint of pregnancy discrimination in the area of work.
  • Successfully representing the State in Hill v State of Queensland [2014] QIRC 023, which involved an application to recover unpaid motor vehicle allowances under s. 278 of the Industrial Relations Act 1999. The case had precedent value, with other potential claimants awaiting the outcome.
  • Acting for the Attorney-General (who had been granted leave to appear as animus curiae) in the Court of Appeal proceedings of Dovedeen Pty Ltd & Anor v GK [2013] QCA 116, arising from a complaint of discrimination by a self-employed sex worker at the Moranbah motel.
  • The Court of Appeal noted that, since the events at the Moranbah motel, the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 had been amended to make it clear that a complaint of discrimination on the basis of lawful sexual activity in the provision of accommodation could not succeed in similar circumstances.
  • Acting for the Attorney-General in Margan v The Attorney-General (Qld) and Ors [2013] FCA 109, [2013 FCA 612, which involved a complaint of discrimination on the basis of sex and marital status, following the refusal of Government entities to register same-sex marriage. Mr Margan’s applications in the Federal Court were dismissed with costs.
  • Acting for the State in an arbitration hearing before the Full Bench of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission regarding a proposed certified agreement (Together Queensland, Industrial Union of Employees and Anor and Department of Transport, QIRC, 3 October 2012).
  • Successfully representing the State in Lankheet v State of Queensland [2011] QCAT 212, which involved a complaint of impairment discrimination in the area of work.
  • Conducting the large-scale litigation case of Colbran t/a Tablelands Coffee v State of Queensland; Hatmill P/L & Ors v State of Queensland; Maloberti & Ors v State of Queensland [2008] QSC 132, which involved defending a negligence claim in excess of $15 million brought against the State of Queensland by three coffee growers (four week trial in the Supreme Court and two appeals in the Court of Appeal).
  • Conducting the litigation case of Meshlawn Pty Ltd and Anor v State of Queensland and Anor [2009] QSC 215, which involved claims of negligence and misfeasance in public office against the State and a former Director-General. The State successfully defended this action in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
  • Successfully representing the State in the first native title sea claim (The Lardil Peoples v State of Queensland [2004] FCA 298) in Queensland to proceed to trial (seven weeks in the Federal Court).