The Victorian Government has today announced the appointments of Rowena Orr KC as a judge of the Court of Appeal and Alistair Pound SC as Solicitor-General.
Ms Orr is widely regarded as one of Australia’s best senior counsel and was appointed as Solicitor-General, the state’s most senior legal adviser and advocate in 2021.
As Solicitor-General, Ms Orr has appeared in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Federal Court in a wide variety of cases, across constitutional, administrative, criminal and commercial matters.
Before taking the role of Solicitor-General, Ms Orr had a broad practice as a barrister for almost two decades, appearing in numerous significant and complex cases for corporate entities, individuals and state and Commonwealth Governments.
She served as senior counsel assisting the Commissioner in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry and was senior counsel representing the state for Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Ms Orr was appointed Senior Counsel in 2014 after signing the Bar Roll in 2002. She holds a Master of Philosophy (Criminology) from the University of Cambridge and degrees in law and economics from the University of Queensland.
Mr Pound has practised both commercial and public law and has appeared in a range of trial and appellate proceedings in the High Court, Federal Court and Supreme Court.
He has advised on and acted in numerous complex matters, including class actions, regulatory proceedings and matters involving constitutional law and the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Mr Pound was an associate to Justice Hayne of the High Court of Australia in 2001 to 2002 and a solicitor and senior associate in the litigation and dispute resolution group at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons) from 1998 to 2005.
He was appointed Senior Counsel in October 2020 after signing the Bar Roll in 2005 and being admitted to practice in 1999. Mr Pound holds a Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge and also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from Monash University.
Ms Orr will begin as a Judge of the Court of Appeal on 18 April and Mr Pound will start his role as Solicitor-General on 23 April.
As stated by Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes
“I extend my sincere gratitude to Rowena Orr KC for her exemplary service as Solicitor-General. Rowena’s transition to the Court of Appeal is a testament to her dedication, relentless commitment to justice and an unparalleled work ethic.”
“Alistair Pound SC is a highly regarded legal practitioner and I look forward to his frank and fearless advice as Solicitor-General.”
