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The Federal Government has appointed Law School Alumna Michelle Gordon as the next justice of the High Court of Australia.

Currently a Federal Court judge, she will replace her husband Justice Kenneth Hayne, who will reach the statutory retirement on June 5.

Justice Gordon has enjoyed a distinguished career in the law, both at the Bar and on the Bench.

Her Honour graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence in 1986 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1987.

Justice Gordon was born and educated in Perth and started her legal career at the then leading commercial law practice Robinson Cox (now Clayton Utz) in 1987. In 1988, she moved to Melbourne to practice at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens). She worked in commercial litigation, and was appointed a Senior Associate at that firm in July 1992. Her Honour was then called to the Victorian Bar in November 1992.

Justice Gordon quickly became one of the leaders at the Bar, establishing a busy practice specialising in commercial law, trade practices and taxation. In 2003, Her Honour took silk after only eleven years.

Justice Gordon was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia in April 2007. The contribution Her Honour has made to the development of the law, particularly in commercial law, is widely recognised by her colleagues on the Bench and at the Bar.

Justice Gordon’s appointment brings the number of The University of Western Australia graduates on the High Court to two.

Media references

Marie Knights (UWA Law School)  (+61 8) 6488 1375