New Chief Justice Laura Stein, who will be replacing retiring Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, has been praised as the “ideal choice”.
From 19 February, Justice Laura Stein of the South Australian Supreme Court will replace Chief Justice Chris Kourakis.
Justice Stein has more than three decades of experience in the public and private legal sectors, during which she has rapidly made her way through the ranks and implemented instrumental developments.
Attorney-General Kyam Maher said Justice Stein is an “exceptionally talented legal mind” and her elevation to Chief Justice “will come as no surprise to anyone who has worked alongside her”.
“In addition to her immense skill as a lawyer, her work with the Crown Solicitor’s Office – including her time as Crown solicitor – has involved an extensive level of managing staff and supporting a productive, positive workplace,” Maher said.
“These skills will hold her in good stead as Chief Justice, and I am confident that she will continue to do exceptional work.”
After completing a law and economics degree at the University of Adelaide, Justice Stein worked as an associate to High Court Justice Michael McHugh and then joined Fisher Jeffries.
A swift elevation to partnership reflected her “enormous work ethic, professionalism and talent”, the Law Society of South Australia said.
Justice Stein then joined the Crown Solicitor’s Office and became Crown solicitor in 2020. During this time, Justice Stein was instrumental in modernising the officer and establishing the commercial litigation and major projects group.
Thirteen months later, Justice Stein joined the Supreme Court.
Justice Stein has been instrumental in driving cultural change following the report of the Equal Opportunity Commission into Bullying and Harassment in the Legal Profession, including as chair of the Steering Committee of the Respectful Behaviours Committee.
“The Law Society and the legal profession have every confidence that the administration of justice will be very well served under Justice Stein’s stewardship as Chief Justice,” Law Society president David Colovic said after the announcement.
Chief Justice Kourakis said he was retiring after 13 years in the role.
In his announcement last month, Chief Justice Kourakis expressed his deep gratitude to South Australia’s judicial officers “who, through their diligent and conscientious commitment to the administration of justice, have lightened my burden”.
Then-Law Society president Marissa Mackie praised Chief Justice Kourakis’ integrity, fairness and unwavering commitment to the law.
“A healthier, more transparent and participatory relationship between the public and justice system will be a defining legacy of His Honour’s tenure,” Mackie said.
Lawyers Weekly spoke to Chief Justice Kourakis at the Australian Legal Convention on access to justice and the “severely restricted” status of the legal aid sector.
If working Australians are unable to access the justice system, few will care less about the effects of the law on Australians who are in an “even more vulnerable” position, Chief Justice Kourakis said.
Further, given the cost-of-living crisis, Chief Justice Kourakis said the missing middle were less likely to “risk a single dollar” on trying to get justice when that money is needed for budgets and education.
“Secondly, I strongly believe there is a connection between practical exclusion from courts and the justice system, and problems that we’re experiencing in terms of judicial legitimacy, questioning the role of courts and, even at its most extreme end, sovereign citizens,” Chief Justice Kourakis said.
