- First woman appointed State Counsel of WA's State Solicitor's Office
- Jean Shaw SC brings to the position a wealth of experience in public law
Attorney General John Quigley has welcomed the appointment of Jean Shaw SC as State Counsel of Western Australia's State Solicitor's Office (SSO).
Ms Shaw, who had served as Acting State Counsel since April this year, is the first woman to be appointed to the position.
Ms Shaw was also appointed as Senior Counsel earlier this month.
Admitted to practice in 2005, Ms Shaw has more than two decades experience working at the SSO in a number of roles including Senior Assistant State Counsel.
She has appeared as counsel in landmark cases before superior courts and advised Government on a range of complex matters.
Ms Shaw is also currently serving as a Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission of WA.
State Counsel is the senior-most counsel role within the SSO and Ms Shaw will lead a team of counsel, similar to a barristers' chambers.
The position was advertised and subject to a competitive and merits-based selection process.
Ms Shaw will represent the State in the most complex matters in the highest courts.
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"I congratulate Jean Shaw SC on being appointed State Counsel at the State Solicitor's Office and wish her all the best in the new role.
"Ms Shaw has practised extensively in all areas of public law, appearing in all courts including the High Court of Australia.
"Her work as counsel has involved trials, appeals, judicial review hearings, mediations, coronial inquests and pre-trial hearings.
"She has also provided Government with high-level legal advice across a host of areas including environmental, administrative, constitutional and criminal law, human rights, education and care services, and Financial Management Act and Public Sector Commission matters."
