Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon announced the appointment today and said Farrell had a long and distinguished career and would become the 15th woman to be appointed as a judge in the Court’s history.

Farrell was the first lawyer ever to become president of the Australian Government Takeovers Panel in August 2010 after serving as a member of the panel since 2001.

She was first made a partner at Freehills in 1984 and has worked as a consultant at the firm since 2000. 

Herbert Smith Freehills CEO Gavin Bell wished Farrell luck in the role.

“Kathy is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most respected business leaders and is one of only a few solicitors to be appointed to the Federal Court. She follows another of our former partners, Margaret Stone, who recently retired from the Court after a long and successful career,” said Bell.

Farrell is the immediate past chair of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and has represented the Law Council on the ASX Corporate Governance Council.

She is also a director of the Australian Institute of Management (NSW and ACT) Limited, the National Institute of Dramatic Art and has been a member of a number of public and private sector boards.

Prior to taking up the position with the Federal Court at the end of the year, Farrell will stand down from her roles with both Herbert Smith Freehills and the Takeovers Panel.