ATKINSON'S WINNING DEDICATION REWARDED

As the firm's principal for medical negligence, Atkinson works to secure justice for those affected by substandard healthcare practice throughout Queensland.

For exceptional devotion to her field, Atkinson has received Queensland Law Society's Outstanding Achievement Award in the 2015 Women Lawyers Association of Queensland (WLAQ) awards held recently at Stamford Plaza.

Principal Rod Hodgson says the award is a great recognition of Atkinson's industry-leading edge, and Maurice Blackburn is proud to see her efforts rewarded by industry peers.

"This is a significant achievement, not just in the area of medical negligence law, but also within the Queensland legal profession," Hodgson says.

"Maurice Blackburn were pleased to see that Sarah's outstanding contribution to medical negligence law as well as the exceptional work she does in championing women's causes and her ongoing support of the Cerebral Palsy League has been acknowledged," he says.

Atkinson has shouldered the case-load for hundreds of people, having won multimillion-dollar settlements for clients who have been wronged by the industry.

According to her profile on the firm's official website, she remains passionate about her work even when confronted by hard truths.

"I hear some shocking and confronting stories which can be challenging, but I find this also motivates me to do the very best for my clients," Atkinson says in her bio.

"I'm passionate about protecting the rights of people in disadvantaged situations and I'm inspired when I see families who have been through bad situations pick themselves up and move on.

"It is rewarding to make a real difference to the lives of families and help to ensure their financial security."

Atkinson has worked with Maurice Blackburn for 11 years and continues to be an active member of the firm's Women's Network, in addition to other organisations including the Queensland Law Society and the Australian Lawyers Alliance.