PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
In 2015 Mary Anne joined the Tasmanian Independent Bar after 13 years as a barrister and solicitor engaged in civil, criminal, family law and child protection litigation.
Mary Anne has had carriage of and appeared as Counsel in multiple ground-breaking and innovative family law cases in the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia which have made significant contributions to the development of case law.
Mary Anne is regularly been appointed as an Independent Children’s Lawyer in the family law jurisdiction and as the Separate Representative in the child protection jurisdiction.
Although, Mary Anne has special interest in survivors of trauma, mental health and family violence cases; she is regularly briefed in all types of matters before Courts including property and child support matters.
QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS
2002 Admitted, Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court of Australia
2001 Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Tasmania
BOARD & COMMITEE MEMBERSHIP
2019 to present Member Guardianship & Administration Board
2019 to present Council Member Tasmanian Independent Bar
2020 to present Member Ethics Committee of the Australian Bar Association
2016 – Present Member Family Law Committee of the Law Society of Tasmania
2004 – 2013 Committee Member of Family Law Practitioners Association of Tasmania
2013 – 2018 Member Litigation Committee of the Law Society of Tasmania
2009 – 2019 Board Member of Hobart Women’s Shelter
2014 – 2018 Chair of Hobart Women’s Shelter Board
2010 – 2011 President of Australian Women Lawyers
2010 – 2011 Member Equal Opportunity Committee of the Law Council of Australia
2006 – 2011 Board Member of Australian Women Lawyers
2006 – 2011 President of Tasmanian Women Lawyers
2003 – 2013 Committee Member of Tasmanian Women Lawyers
AREAS OF LAW
Family Law
Relationships Law
Child Protection
Independent Children’s Lawyer work
Guardianship law
Civil and criminal law
Coronial and inquest work
Inquiries
Anti-discrimination law
