“Karen has made a significant contribution to Dentons and the wider legal industry during the course of her career. I look forward to watching her continued achievements as she takes this exciting new step in her career,” Mr Stipanicev said.

Ms Thomas is known as a leading commercial lawyer, whose distinguished career has spanned nearly 33 years.

Whilst her experience is diverse, for the last 30 years Ms Thomas has specialised in protracted commercial disputes, both in private and public sector, principally in infrastructure, engineering and construction and insurance. 

Dentons said Ms Thomas’ experience as a legal practitioner has involved her acting variously as solicitor, advocate, junior barrister, assisting counsel, independent investigator, legal practice manager as well as decision-maker in grievance committees and professional conduct disciplinary inquiries.

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Since 1995, Ms Thomas was also managing partner of Fisher Jeffries in South Australia, until that firm joined Dentons in 2019 where she continued as head of office in Adelaide, and as a member of the board.

Ms Thomas’ appointment to the District Court of South Australia commences on Tuesday, 6 October, ahead of Judge Chivell’s retirement on 19 October.