Practice as Senior Counsel
Lisa practises in public law, commercial law and common law.
Lisa appears in the High Court, the Federal Court and the Full Federal Court, the Victorian Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Supreme Courts of other jurisdictions. She has a substantial practice in advising governments, as well individuals and corporations, on matters of statutory construction, judicial review, confiscation of assets, habeas and other forms of urgent relief, and merits of common law actions.
In 2023, Lisa was named in Doyle's Guide as Recommended Senior Counsel, Victoria, Technology, Media & Telecommunications Law.
Recent select cases
Recent cases in which Lisa was briefed include:
ENT19 v Minister for Home Affairs (High Court of Australia, original jurisdiction) (constitutional and administrative law).
Ouda & Ors v Hunter & Commonwealth (Supreme Court of Victoria) (defamation jury trial).
Fine China Capital Investment Ltd v Qi (Federal Court) (ex parte, then contested application for freezing orders).
Azimitabar v Commonwealth (Federal Court of Australia) (the APODs case).
Action for constitutional writs, briefed for the Plaintiff, settled prior to trial (High Court of Australia).
Austin Health v Tsikos (Victorian Court of Appeal) (direct discrimination).
Action in the Institutional Liability List against the Ballarat Diocese, briefed for the Plaintiffs, settled prior to trial (Supreme Court of Victoria).
Duffy v Google LLC (Supreme Court of South Australia) (defamation).
Defteros v Google LLC (Supreme Court of Victoria) (defamation).
Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc v Forest Practices Authority (Supreme Court of Tasmania) (environmental law).
The Queen v The Herald & Weekly Times Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of Victoria) (the Pell contempt case).
Garbett v Liu; Yates v Frydenberg (Full Federal Court of Australia, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns) (the colour purple case).
Eastman v Australian Capital Territory (Supreme Court of the ACT) (damages for breaches of the Human Rights Act).
For a full list of cases in which Lisa has appeared, please see under the tab 'Cases'.
Academic qualifications
LLB, University of New South Wales (University Medal in Law)
LLM, University of Melbourne
BSc (Hons), Australian National University (First Class)
Awards (in recognition of pro bono work)
In 2010, Lisa was awarded the Susan Crennan AC QC Award.
In 2019, Lisa was awarded the Ron Merkel QC Award.
Accredited Advocacy Coach
Please click here to view the List A Barristers profile of Lisa De Ferrari S.C.