Famous Australian Lawyers

Julie Bishop is a former Australian politician who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and deputy leader of the Liberal Party. She was a Member of Parliament for Curtin and chancellor of the Australian National University. Bishop began her career as a commercial lawyer before entering politics. She held various ministerial positions in the Howard government and became the first female deputy leader of the Liberal Party. Bishop's tenure as Foreign Minister saw her handling significant international issues. She retired from politics in 2019 and later became the United Nations special envoy for Myanmar in 2024.

Dame Quentin Bryce is an Australian academic and legal professional who has held various prominent roles in her career. She made history by becoming the first woman to serve as the Governor-General of Australia from 2008 to 2014. Prior to this, she was the Governor of Queensland and held significant positions such as Director of the Queensland Women's Information Service, Queensland Director of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, and Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner. Bryce has been recognized for her contributions with prestigious honors and awards.

Herbert Vere "Doc" Evatt was a distinguished Australian politician and judge, known for his significant contributions to law and politics. He served as a justice of the High Court of Australia, Attorney-General, Minister for External Affairs, and Leader of the Australian Labor Party. Evatt played a key role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and served as President of the United Nations General Assembly. Despite facing challenges and party splits during his leadership, his legacy as a public intellectual and legal innovator remains prominent.

Gina Liano is a prominent Australian barrister, author, entrepreneur, and television personality. With a successful career spanning various fields, she has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. Notably recognized for her role in The Real Housewives of Melbourne, Gina has showcased her talents and charisma on screen. As a barrister, she has demonstrated her legal expertise and professionalism, while her entrepreneurial endeavors and work as an author further highlight her versatile skill set and creativity.

Eric Abetz is an Australian politician who has had a long and distinguished career in public service. He served as a Senator for Tasmania for many years, representing the Liberal Party. Abetz held various ministerial positions, including Minister for Employment and Leader of the Government in the Senate during the Abbott government. He also served as Special Minister of State and Minister for Fisheries, Forestry, and Conservation in previous administrations. Abetz has a background in law and was actively involved in student politics before entering mainstream politics.

Bill Shorten is an Australian politician and former trade unionist who has held various leadership positions within the Australian Labor Party. Shorten has served as a Member of Parliament for the division of Maribyrnong since 2007 and has held ministerial portfolios in the Gillard and Rudd governments. He is known for his role as a negotiator following the Beaconsfield Mine collapse in 2006. Shorten has also served as the Minister for Government Services and Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme since 2022.

Robert Holmes à Court was a South African-born Australian businessman who became Australia's first billionaire. He was known as one of the world's most feared corporate raiders in the 1980s, having built a diversified resources and media group valued at about A$2 billion before the 1987 stock market crash. He achieved significant investment growth for shareholders during his career. In addition to his business success, Holmes à Court's horse Black Knight won the Melbourne Cup in 1984.

Waleed Aly is a prominent Australian television presenter, journalist, academic, and lawyer. He serves as a lecturer in politics at Monash University, specializing in global terrorism research. Additionally, he co-hosts Network Ten's news and current affairs program, The Project, and contributes articles to Fairfax Media. Aly is also known for co-hosting The Minefield on ABC RN, discussing ethical issues, and playing lead guitar in the rock band Robot Child. Notably, he received the prestigious Gold Logie Award for Best Personality on Australian Television in 2016.

Robert Shenton French AC is an Australian lawyer with a distinguished career in the judiciary. He served as a judge on the Federal Court of Australia before becoming the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia from 2008 to 2017. Following his tenure, French took on a role as an overseas non-permanent judge at the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. Additionally, he was appointed as the chancellor of the University of Western Australia, showcasing his continued involvement in the legal and academic spheres.

Glenn McMillan is a Brazilian-Australian actor and lawyer known for his role as Dustin, the Yellow Wind Ranger, on Power Rangers Ninja Storm. With a background in law, McMillan has successfully balanced his acting career with his legal profession. He has gained international recognition for his portrayal of the iconic Power Rangers character, showcasing his versatility and talent as an actor. McMillan's professional journey reflects his dedication to both the entertainment industry and the legal field, establishing himself as a multifaceted professional.

Andrew Sharp Peacock was an Australian politician and diplomat who served as a cabinet minister, leader of the Liberal Party on two occasions, and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1975 to 1980. He held various portfolios, challenged for the Liberal leadership multiple times, and served as Ambassador to the United States from 1997 to 1999. Despite winning the popular vote in the 1990 election, Peacock resigned as leader after failing to secure enough seats. He left politics in 1994.

Michael Donald Kirby is an Australian jurist and academic known for his tenure as a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1996 to 2009. Following his retirement, Kirby continued his professional engagements, notably accepting the appointment by the United Nations Human Rights Council to lead an inquiry into human rights abuses in North Korea in May 2013. The inquiry, which concluded in February 2014, showcased Kirby's ongoing dedication to human rights advocacy and his commitment to international justice.

Peter Costello is an Australian businessman, lawyer, and former politician known for his role as the treasurer of Australia from 1996 to 2007, making him the longest-serving treasurer in the country's history. He represented the Division of Higgins in the Australian House of Representatives from 1990 to 2009 and also served as the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party from 1994 to 2007. Costello has held various significant positions such as Chairman of the World Bank's Independent Advisory Board, Chairman of Nine Entertainment, and Chairman of the Board of Guardians of the Australian Future Fund.

George Brandis is an Australian former politician who served as a Senator for Queensland from 2000 to 2018, representing the Liberal Party. He held various ministerial positions in the Abbott and Turnbull governments, including Minister for the Arts and Sport, Attorney-General, and Leader of the Government in the Senate. After retiring from politics, he served as the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Brandis also worked as a barrister before entering politics and later became a professor in national security at the Australian National University.

Sir Garfield Barwick was a prominent Australian judge and politician. He served as the Chief Justice of Australia from 1964 to 1981, the longest-serving in the country's history. Prior to his judicial career, Barwick was a successful barrister, known for handling high-profile cases. He also held political roles, including Attorney-General and Minister for External Affairs. During his time on the bench, Barwick presided over significant constitutional cases and played a role in the 1975 constitutional crisis. He was a respected public figure until his passing.

Roma Mitchell was a trailblazing Australian lawyer, judge, and state governor. She made history as the first woman to hold various prestigious positions in the country, including the first woman judge, the first female Queen's Counsel, a chancellor of an Australian university, and the Governor of an Australian state. Mitchell's contributions to the advancement of women's rights in Australia were significant, and she is regarded as a key figure in the Australian women's rights movement.

Mick Dodson is an accomplished Aboriginal Australian barrister and academic, known for his expertise in law and advocacy. Hailing from the Yawuru people in Western Australia, Dodson has made significant contributions to indigenous rights and social justice issues. His work has garnered recognition both nationally and internationally, showcasing his dedication to advancing the rights and well-being of Aboriginal communities. Dodson's commitment to the legal profession and his efforts in promoting equality and justice have solidified his reputation as a respected leader in the field.

Nick Farr-Jones is a former Australian rugby union player who played as a scrum-half. He debuted for the Australia national rugby union team in 1984 and had a successful career, being voted "Player of the Series" in 1986. He captained the Wallabies to victory in the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Farr-Jones retired as captain in 1992 but came out of retirement briefly in 1993. He now works in finance, appears as a TV rugby commentator, and serves as the chairman of the New South Wales Rugby Union.

Jonathan Donald Stanhope AO is a former Australian politician who served as Labor Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory from 2001 to 2011. He represented the Ginninderra electorate in the ACT Legislative Assembly during this time. Stanhope is known for being the only ACT Chief Minister to have governed with a majority in the ACT Assembly. Following his tenure as Chief Minister, he served as the Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories from 2012 to 2014, overseeing Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Julian Burnside is an Australian barrister known for his work in commercial litigation, trade practices, and administrative law. He is a prominent human rights and refugee advocate, recognized for his staunch opposition to the mandatory detention of asylum seekers. Burnside has provided legal counsel in various high-profile cases and was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2009 for his advocacy work. In 2019, he ran as an Australian Greens candidate in the federal election, achieving the highest vote for the party in the Division of Kooyong.

Wayne Goss had a diverse professional career, starting as a solicitor before entering politics. He made history by becoming the first Labor Premier of Queensland in over thirty-two years, serving from 1989 to 1996. After his political career, Goss held leadership positions as Chairman of the Queensland Art Gallery and Chairman of Deloitte Australia. His contributions spanned legal, political, and corporate sectors, showcasing his versatility and leadership abilities in various fields throughout his professional life.

Sir Gerard Brennan was an esteemed Australian lawyer and jurist who notably held the position of the 10th Chief Justice of Australia. Serving as a judge in the High Court of Australia, he made a significant impact through his lead judgement on the Mabo decision, which led to the establishment of the Native Title Act. Throughout his professional career, Brennan's expertise and contributions to the legal field were widely recognized and respected, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in Australian jurisprudence.

Mark Samuel Weinberg AO FAAL KC is a distinguished legal professional who has served as a judge in various high-ranking courts in Australia. He was a judge of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria from July 2008 to May 2018, showcasing his expertise in the Victorian legal system. Prior to this role, he held the position of judge in the Federal Court of Australia for a decade, from July 1998 to July 2008. Weinberg's extensive experience and legal acumen have earned him a reputation as a respected jurist in the Australian legal community.

John Leslie Toohey, AC, QC was a prominent Australian judge known for his tenure as a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1987 to 1998. Throughout his career, Toohey made significant contributions to the Australian legal system, demonstrating a deep commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law. His judgements and legal opinions were highly respected within the legal community, and he played a key role in shaping the development of Australian jurisprudence during his time on the High Court.