Elizabeth Bennett leads the new council as president
The Victorian Bar has announced the newly appointed leadership and council members for the 2024-2025 term following its recent Bar Council election.
Elizabeth Bennett SC has been named president of the Victorian Bar Council, joined by vice presidents Justin Hannebery KC and Lisa Hannon KC. Raini Zambelli takes on the role of honorary treasurer, with Georgina Costello KC serving as assistant honorary treasurer.
Elizabeth Bennett brings extensive experience in public, regulatory, and commercial law. She served as counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, and Neglect of Persons with a Disability. Bennett previously represented clients in high-profile inquiries, including the Banking Royal Commission. Her regulatory practice has seen her advocate for clients in complex legal matters, including consumer credit and administrative law cases.
Justin Hannebery is experienced in criminal law, occupational health and safety, and disciplinary tribunals. His experience includes roles in prominent inquiries, such as the Lawyer X Royal Commission. Hannebery has previously served on the Bar Council Executive and holds a leadership role in training programs for trial counsel.
Lisa Hannon has developed a comprehensive commercial and civil advocacy practice over two decades, with expertise in property law, professional liability, and mediation. Hannon regularly handles complex matters involving compulsory acquisition, land tax disputes, and professional negligence cases.
The newly elected bar council aims to continue strengthening the standards and ethics of legal practice within Victoria. The following members were elected to the bar council:
Category A (King’s Counsel, Senior Counsel, and senior junior counsel): Gavin Silbert KC, Peter Chadwick KC, Mark Robins KC, Julian McMahon AC SC, Colin Mandy SC, Justin Hannebery KC, Georgina Costello KC, Lisa Hannon KC, Fiona Ryan SC, Elizabeth Bennett SC, and Moya O’Brien.
Category B (junior counsel with six to fifteen years’ standing): Timothy Goodwin, Raini Zambelli, Jessie Taylor, Ffyona Livingstone Clark, Lana Collaris, and Andrea Skinner.
Category C (junior counsel with less than six years’ standing): Felicity Fox, Gemma Cafarella, Paul Jeffreys, and Jakub Patela.
