Jonathan Beach QC was appointed to the position of senior vice chairman and Jim Peters SC to junior vice chairman following the elections, which saw 10 new council members elected to the 21-member Council for the 2013-14 term.

The ballot closed last Wednesday (13 November), with the executive positions decided on at a meeting of the new Council on Thursday.

Commenting on his appointment, Alstergren said: “I am honoured to be chairman of the Victorian Bar Council and was proud to serve on the Council under the leadership of two outstanding successive chairs in Fiona McLeod SC and the Honourable Justice Melanie Sloss.

“I look forward to continuing their work – including promoting and supporting access to justice in our state, and furthering the gender equality program of initiatives launched by the Victorian Bar [last] week.”

Alstergren worked as a stockbroker before joining the profession in 1991. He is a commercial barrister who appears regularly in the Supreme and Federal Courts. He has also conducted major inquires for the Royal Australian Navy and has had experience in arbitrations and Royal Commissions. 

He was instrumental in the establishment of the Duty Barristers’ Scheme in 2007 and was awarded the Victorian Bar Pro Bono Trophy in 2012 in recognition of his commitment to pro bono at the Bar. The Scheme now coordinates willing barristers to assist unrepresented litigants. He has also served as a Board member of PILCH (Victoria).

Justice Connect, a new agency that will replace PILCH in both Victoria and NSW, was launched last week.

Victorian Bar Council members 2013-14

Paul Oliver Holdenson QC

Jonathan Barry Rashleigh Beach QC

Jennifer Jane Batrouney SC

Paul Alias Anastassiou SC

David John O’Callaghan SC

James William Sturrock Peters SC

Michael Francis Wheelahan SC

Gregory John Lyon SC

Samantha Lee Marks SC

Edvard (William) Alstergren SC

Christopher James Winneke

Paul Xavier Connor

Kim Joy Knights

Elizabeth Mary Brimer

Daniel Joseph Crennan

Miguel Aldo Belmar Salas

Michelle Rose Sharpe

Michael David Stanton

John (Jack) Richard Martin Tracey

Emma Rhiannon Peppler

Karen Argiropoulos