The Honourable Chief Justice Peter Quinlan has announced the appointment of nine new senior counsel to the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Last week, the Chief Justice of Western Australia, the Honourable Justice Peter Quinlan, unveiled the nine barristers appointed as senior counsel for 2025 to the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Following a competitive process that saw 31 applications submitted, the Supreme Court of Western Australia has named the following barristers as senior counsel:
Michael Rynne (admitted to practice in 1978)
Steven Wong (admitted to practice in 2003)
Wayne Zappia (admitted to practice in 2004)
Adam Sharpe (admitted to practice in 2005)
Gemma Beggs (admitted to practice in 2005)
Heather Millar (admitted to practice in 2008)
Cobey Taggart (admitted to practice in 2008)
Beau Sertorio (admitted to practice in 2008)
Alexander Mossop (admitted to practice in 2010)
Of the nine newly appointed senior counsel, seven practise as barristers, while the remaining two serve as state prosecutors.
The appointees bring expertise across a diverse range of legal fields, including family, public, corporate, employment, and criminal law.
This news came shortly after Chief Justice Richard Niall and the Victorian Bar announced the appointment of 21 new senior counsel at the end of October.
The designation of senior counsel – often regarded as a mark of professional eminence – is awarded to lawyers who demonstrate excellence in legal practice, independence, and a commitment to serving the administration of justice.
The selection process is overseen by the Chief Justice, assisted by a committee comprising senior members of the judiciary from the supreme, federal, family, and district courts, as well as the State Administrative Tribunal.
Advising on the 2025 senior counsel appointments to the Supreme Court of Western Australia was a committee comprising the Honourable Justice Joshua Thomson, president of the Court of Appeal; the Honourable Justice Bruno Fiannaca, senior judge of the general division; the Honourable Justice Kathleen Glancy, president of the State Administrative Tribunal; and the Honourable Justice Katrina Banks-Smith of the Federal Court.
