Tuesday, 24 October 2023
The Law Society congratulates the six practitioners appointed as Senior Counsel, as announced today by the Chief Justice of Western Australia, the Hon Justice Peter Quinlan.
The appointments are Mr Paul Edgar, Ms Tina Jowett, Mr Seamus Rafferty, Ms Teresa Farmer, Mr Michael Sims and Mr Robert Owen.
Law Society President Ante Golem said, “On behalf of the Law Society and the wider legal profession I congratulate each of the newly appointed Senior Counsel. Appointment as Senior Counsel is a rare honour granted to those individuals who have demonstrated eminence in the practice of law. The appointees have proven over lengthy careers their legal talents, as well as their unquestioned integrity and independence.”
Mr Edgar was admitted to practice in Queensland in 1989 and has practised as an independent barrister since 2011. He currently practises from Quayside Chambers. Mr Edgar has been a member of the Law Society since the beginning of his legal career in 1993.
Ms Jowett was admitted to practice in New South Wales in 1995 and has practised as an independent barrister since 2003. She currently practises from Francis Burt Chambers and Sixth Floor Windeyer Chambers.
Mr Rafferty was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 2002. He practises as an independent barrister from Geoffrey Miller Chambers, which he established in February 2023. Mr Rafferty has been a member of the Law Society since 2008.
Ms Farmer was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 2003 and has practised as an independent barrister since 2007 from John Toohey Chambers.
Mr Sims was admitted to practice in New South Wales in 2006 and has practised as an independent barrister since 2015. He practises from Quayside Chambers. Mr Sims has been a member of the Law Society since 2003.
Mr Owen was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 2008. He is the Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Australia, an office to which he was appointed in May 2022.
The Law Society, legal profession and the community will all benefit from the contribution of these senior lawyers in the role of Senior Counsel.
– ENDS –
For comment please contact:
Madeleine McErlain
Manager Corporate Communications
(08) 9324 8650
mmcerlain@lawsocietywa.asn.au
The Law Society of Western Australia is the peak professional association for lawyers in the State. The Society is a not-for-profit association dedicated to the representation of its more than 4,600 members. The Society enhances the legal profession through its position as a respected leader and contributor on law reform, access to justice and the rule of law. The Society is widely acknowledged by the legal profession, government and the community as the voice of the legal profession in Western Australia.
