Media Release — The Victorian Bar welcomes the appointment of Justice Debra Mortimer as Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia

The President of the Victorian Bar, Sam Hay KC, said, “The Victorian Bar warmly welcomes this excellent appointment. We are proud that Justice Mortimer is a member of our Bar. Her Honour is an outstanding jurist who will make a substantial contribution to the Federal Court for many years to come.  

“The appointment of Justice Mortimer is especially significant as a model of inspiration for our female members. Her appointment as the first female Chief Justice of the Federal Court is a significant, deserving, and well-earned milestone.

“Her Honour signed the roll in 1989, reading with Neil Young (later QC), having completed articles at Goldberg & Window in Richmond. Her Honour became an associate to Sir Gerard Brennan, then a justice of the High Court of Australia in 1988 and 1989.  Appointed as a Senior Counsel in 2003, she frequently appeared in the High Court while in private practice.

“Her Honour was the head of the Human Rights Committee at the Victorian Bar, and won many awards during her career including the Law Council of Australia’s President’s medal which was awarded to her Honour in 2011. That year, she also received the Tim McCoy Award for Community and Legal Work, the Law Institute of Victoria President’s Award and the Australian Human Rights Commission Law Award. Her Honour has one of the Victorian Bar’s Pro Bono Awards – for outstanding achievement in pro bono advocacy in a Tribunal or the Magistrates’ Court – named in her honour.

“The Victorian Bar is extremely proud of Justice Mortimer’s historic appointment to the Federal Court. We extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to her Honour in her new role.”