Rowena Orr named as judge of the Victorian Court of Appeal
Victoria’s Solicitor-General Rowena Orr KC, who was the banking royal commission senior counsel, is joining the bench of the state’s Court of Appeal, with another silk to assume her role as S-G.
Rowena Orr KC (pictured), served as senior counsel assisting the commissioner in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry and was senior counsel representing the state for Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence, is leaving the role of Solicitor-General in Victoria to take up a position as a judge of the state’s Court of Appeal.
Most recently, she has served as the state’s Solicitor-General.
Speaking about the appointment, Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said: “I extend my sincere gratitude to Rowena Orr KC for her exemplary service as Solicitor-General. Rowena’s transition to the Court of Appeal is a testament to her dedication, relentless commitment to justice and an unparalleled work ethic.”
In a statement, the Supreme Court of Victoria noted that it “congratulates and warmly welcomes” Orr to the bench.
The Judicial College of Victoria also said that Orr’s appointment to the Court of Appeal “is a testament to her exceptional legal career and commitment to justice”.
Assuming Orr’s position as Solicitor-General will be Alistair Pound SC, who took silk in 2020 after joining the Bar in 2005. He formerly practised at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons) from 1998 to 2005 in its litigation and dispute resolution group.
He has, the A-G’s Department went on, advised on and acted in numerous complex matters, including class actions, regulatory proceedings and matters involving constitutional law and the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
“Alistair Pound SC is a highly regarded legal practitioner, and I look forward to his frank and fearless advice as Solicitor-General,” A-G Symes noted.
Orr’s tenure as a Court of Appeal judge will commence on Friday of this week (18 April), while Pound will start as the state’s S-G next Tuesday (23 April).
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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