New Vic Bar leaders elected
Will Alstergren SC has been elected as the new chairman of the Victorian Bar Council.
He will replace retiring chair Fiona McLeod SC (pictured).
The ballot closed last Wednesday (13 November), with the executive positions decided on at a meeting of the new Council on Thursday.
Commenting on his appointment, Alstergren said: “I am honoured to be chairman of the Victorian Bar Council and was proud to serve on the Council under the leadership of two outstanding successive chairs in Fiona McLeod SC and the Honourable Justice Melanie Sloss.
“I look forward to continuing their work – including promoting and supporting access to justice in our state, and furthering the gender equality program of initiatives launched by the Victorian Bar [last] week.”
Alstergren worked as a stockbroker before joining the profession in 1991. He is a commercial barrister who appears regularly in the Supreme and Federal Courts. He has also conducted major inquires for the Royal Australian Navy and has had experience in arbitrations and Royal Commissions.
He was instrumental in the establishment of the Duty Barristers’ Scheme in 2007 and was awarded the Victorian Bar Pro Bono Trophy in 2012 in recognition of his commitment to pro bono at the Bar. The Scheme now coordinates willing barristers to assist unrepresented litigants. He has also served as a Board member of PILCH (Victoria).
Justice Connect, a new agency that will replace PILCH in both Victoria and NSW, was launched last week.
Victorian Bar Council members 2013-14
Paul Oliver Holdenson QC
Jonathan Barry Rashleigh Beach QC
Jennifer Jane Batrouney SC
Paul Alias Anastassiou SC
David John O’Callaghan SC
James William Sturrock Peters SC
Michael Francis Wheelahan SC
Gregory John Lyon SC
Samantha Lee Marks SC
Edvard (William) Alstergren SC
Christopher James Winneke
Paul Xavier Connor
Kim Joy Knights
Elizabeth Mary Brimer
Daniel Joseph Crennan
Miguel Aldo Belmar Salas
Michelle Rose Sharpe
Michael David Stanton
John (Jack) Richard Martin Tracey
Emma Rhiannon Peppler
Karen Argiropoulos