The newly appointed NSW Attorney-General, Michael Daley, has named two lawyers as magistrates for the state’s Local Court: Keisha Hopgood and Stephan Herridge.

Ms Hopgood began her career working at the Children’s Legal Service at the Legal Aid Commission NSW and went on to join the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS), where she has worked for the last six years in a variety of leadership positions, including as principal solicitor, justice projects, policy and practice.

Mr Herridge began his career in England, where he headed a civil and family litigation department in a suburban London practice before going on to specialise in child protection and represented children and adults at all levels, including the UK High Court. Since moving to Australia in 2005, he has held various positions, including within the then Department of Community Services (now Department of Communities and Justice) and the Hawkesbury Nepean Legal Centre.

“Ms Hopgood and Mr Herridge have had exceptional careers as solicitors and will bring their extensive experience to the Local Court,” A-G Daley said.

“Ms Hopgood comes to the Local Court with impressive credentials and experience as a practising solicitor of 14 years, most recently with the Aboriginal Legal Service. Ms Hopgood and Mr Herridge will be welcome additions to the NSW Local Court when they are sworn in early in June.”

Qld District Court

In the Sunshine State, Nicholas Andreatidis KC has been named as Queensland’s newest District Court judge, having begun his tenure on 26 May.

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Mr Andreatidis was called to the Bar in 2003 and took silk in 2018, and over the course of his career, has appeared in numerous lengthy trials in the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Federal Court, and in arbitrations.

“The breadth of Mr Andreatidis KC’s expertise extends from administrative law, which has seen him act in major mining lease matters, to banking and finance law, where he was involved in a trial regarding the Storm Financial collapse, to building and construction, where he has been retained in numerous multimillion-dollar disputes domestically and internationally,” Queensland A-G Yvette D’Ath said in a statement.

Ms D’ath said that the appointment is “richly deserved”.

“He has built a strong reputation as a hard worker whose courteous manner is appreciated by all who encounter him,” she proclaimed.

“Mr Andreatidis KC wanted to be a lawyer from a young age, and his appointment to the bench is a reflection of his expertise in, and passion for, the law. His record in the courtroom speaks for itself, and he will be another great asset to the ranks of our Queensland judges.”

Victorian Supreme Court and VCAT

Elsewhere, the Victorian government has appointed Judge Ted Woodward to the Supreme Court of Victoria, commencing 5 June 2023.

His Honour will also serve as president of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), with his five-year term to start on 1 July 2023.

Woodward J was appointed as a judge of the County Court of Victoria in 2017 and as a vice president of VCAT in 2018, and he has been head of the commercial division of the County Court since June 2020.

Prior to this, he was a barrister from 1997 to 2017, practising in general commercial litigation, particularly in the areas of corporate insolvency and reconstruction.

His Honour will replace Justice Michelle Quigley, who will continue to serve as president of VCAT until 30 June 2023.

Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said: “I congratulate Judge Woodward on his appointment to the Supreme Court — he brings a wealth of knowledge, diversity of experience and a proven commitment to the justice system.”

“VCAT plays a crucial role in helping Victorians to resolve a large number of disputes every year, and I wish Judge Woodward well as he embarks on his appointment to this important tribunal. I thank Justice Quigley for her five years of leadership and dedicated service as the president of VCAT and wish her well for her return to the Supreme Court.”