“Best and brightest” barrister confirmed as victim in Sydney siege

Tragically, a barrister and mother-of-three has been named as the woman killed in the horrific Sydney siege that unfolded on Monday

Sydney barrister and mother-of-three Katrina Dawson has been named as one of the two hostage victims killed in the terrifying siege at the Lindt Café in Martin Place.

She was catching up with pregnant colleague Julie Taylor at the time that the cafe was taken over by the gunman.

Ms Dawson, 38, was a barrister from Eight Selborne Chambers on Phillip Street.

Specialising in commercial, bankruptcy and corporations law, she was a rising star at the commercial bar, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

She was also the sister of prominent defamation barrister Sandy Dawson and McKinsey & Company director Angus Dawson.

Ms Dawson was married to Paul Smith, a partner at King & Wood Mallesons, it was reported.

Her brother Sandy told The Australian of his devastation about her passing. He is supporting her husband and family.

The president of the New South Wales bar association, Jane Needham SC, has also released a statement informing members of Ms Dawson’s death with a “heavy heart and deep sorrow”.

"Katrina, together with two other members of the NSW Bar, were held as hostages during the incident at the Lindt Cafe in Phillip Street, Sydney, yesterday," she said.

“Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar. She was a devoted mother of three children, and a valued member of her floor and of our bar community. Our thoughts are with her family at this time, including her brother, Sandy Dawson of Banco Chambers.”

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