2019 has been a year of great achievement at the Bar. We’ve welcomed 125 new colleagues and celebrated the appointment of 19 of our members to the bench. But it’s also been a year of reflection for many of us.
Retired Victorian Bar member Robert Todd AM passed away on 9 December 2019 at the age of 87 years.
A celebration of Robert’s life will be held on Tuesday 17 December at 11am at the Church of St John the Baptist, 45 Constitution Avenue, Reid, Canberra. All are welcome.
What do government solicitors need from barristers?
When schedules get busy, time is precious and budgets are tight, it is important to focus on what matters most to clients. This week, Wendy Harris QC and the Bar hosted more than 30 solicitors from the VGSO at a networking event to help the government solicitors get to know more barristers, and for the Bar to gain a deeper insight into how the VGSO works and what the VGSO and its clients need from those they instruct.
Earlier this week, eighteen newly appointed senior counsel for the state of Victoria took their bows in the Supreme Court of Victoria, Federal Court of Australia and Family Court of Australia. These ceremonies are a wonderful rite of passage for new silks, and an opportunity for their family and friends to join in the profession’s acknowledgement of their appointment.
Retired Victorian Bar member Raymond Rosenberg passed away on 24 November 2019 at the age of 70 years.
Funeral service: Tuesday 26 November at 1pm.
Funeral to commence at Shtiebel at Melbourne Chevra Kadisha, 50 Browns Road Noble Park. Funeral will continue afterwards at Springvale Botanical Cemetery at 2pm. Enter via Police Road.
This week the Bar launched our new Pro Bono platform, which can be used by all current practising members to access and manage pro bono requests from the Supreme Court, County Court and Coroner’s Court of Victoria, as well as managing and documenting personal pro bono briefs.
Expressions of interest are sought from those members of the Bar who wish to remain on, or become a member of, one or more of the Bar committees. A copy of the role descriptions and responsibilities of each of the committees of the Bar Council is accessed here, selection criteria are here and the online form is here (you need to be logged in to access the link).
Portraits of six eminent barristers have been added to the Victorian Bar's collection, including a 2013 painting by executed ‘Bali Nine’ drug trafficker Myuran Sukumaran of his barrister Julian McM
Bar Council has also appointed its officeholders and honorary secretary. The two Vice Presidents are Simon Marks QC and Sam Hay SC. The Treasurer is Stewart Maiden QC and Assistant Treasurer Gabi Crafti. The Honorary Secretary is Kat Brazenor. Thank you to everyone who voted in the election.
At the Declaration of the Poll following the Bar Council election held on 13 November 2019 the following candidates, in order of seniority, were declared elected:-
