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Queensland Supreme Court sees 2 new judges
Two new judges have been appointed to Queensland’s Supreme Court, bringing with them more than 50 years of combined legal experience.
Emma Musgrave
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence The Honourable Shannon Fentiman has confirmed senior barristers Declan Kelly QC and Kerri Mellifont QC has been appointed to the court’s Trial Division.
Justice Kelly commenced his legal career in 1991 as a law clerk at Feez Ruthning Solicitors and was called to the bar in 1993. He commenced practice as a barrister in 1994 and was appointed as Senior Counsel in 2007.
Throughout his career, Justice Kelly has gained experience in a wide range of legal practice, including the fields of commercial, equity, trade practices, building and construction, and banking and finance, appearing in both state and federal jurisdictions and also in commercial arbitrations.
Justice Mellifont was admitted to the bar in 1994 and was made Senior Counsel (now Queen’s Counsel) in 2010. She commenced at the private bar in 2001, having previously worked at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and the Public Defender’s Office at Legal Aid Queensland for a total of 11 years, a statement confirmed.
Throughout her career, Justice Mellifont has practised in civil, administrative, criminal and regulatory litigation, appearing in both state and federal jurisdictions, representing clients in inquests, judicial review, professional disciplinary proceedings, workplace health and safety, and environmental matters. She is also a qualified mediator.
“Justice Kelly and Justice Mellifont have each gained broad legal expertise in the decades since their respective admissions as barristers, and are highly respected among their peers,” Minister Fentiman said in congratulating Justice Mellifont and Justice Kelly.
“The breadth of the knowledge and experience they have gained from handling high-profile and complex matters in various jurisdictions make them valuable assets to the Supreme Court in helping deliver justice for Queenslanders.
“... Justice Kelly and Justice Mellifont are eminent Queen’s Counsel, highly deserving of their new roles and will be great assets to the Supreme Court. I congratulate them on their appointment to the bench.”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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