Media Release – New Victorian Bar President and Council members elected

Five new members were appointed to the Victorian Bar Council.

“I am honoured to be appointed President and look forward to working with the Bar Council and our members to meet emerging challenges,” Ms Harris said.

“The Victorian Bar is home to the best and brightest the legal services sector has to offer, with deep experience and subject matter expertise.  

“What has always set the Victorian Bar apart is its expertise and commitment to excellence.  We are evolving to meet the ever-changing legal environment and the needs of our clients.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead the Bar at this important time.

“On behalf of the Bar I express our deep gratitude to immediate past-President Dr Matt Collins AM QC for his energy, wisdom and commitment during the past two years.  His leadership and initiative have created a substantial and lasting legacy for our Bar.”

A full list of Bar Council members and office bearers is available here.

About Ms Wendy Harris QC

Ms Harris practises in commercial law.  She has particular experience in banking and finance, commercial law, class actions, corporations and securities, insurance and re-insurance. She has a large class action practice, having acted in numerous securities class actions for ASX-listed entities including NAB, WorleyParsons, BHP, Newcrest, Murray Goulburn, UGL and UBS.

Ms Harris acted for National Australia Bank in the Financial Services Royal Commission, in the bank bill swap rate litigation brought by ASIC and in many large-scale insolvencies.

She is former Chair of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and a current director of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare.

Ms Harris went to Nunawading High School and studied law at University of Melbourne. She has been a member of the Victorian Bar for more than 20 years and took silk in 2010.