The Andrews Labor Government has appointed Marlo Baragwanath as the new Victorian Government Solicitor – the first woman to officially hold the position.
Leading the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, Ms Baragwanath will be the primary source of legal services for the Government and independent statutory authorities.
Since April 2014, she has served as the Director of the CEO’s Office at the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), overseeing legal, communications, governance and board support and advising the Government, VBA Board and executive team on a range of strategic, operational and legal issues.
In 2004, Ms Baragwanath was appointed the Senior Manager of Corporate Legal Services at WorkSafe Victoria.
In July 2005, she was appointed Senior Legal Counsel, before being made General Counsel the following year and leading the Legal, Legislative and Employer Services Business Unit – comprised of five divisions and up to 200 employees.
Ms Baragwanath has worked previously as a senior policy officer in the Department of Justice and a policy officer at Ombudsman Victoria.
She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1997.
She holds a Masters of Science in Public Administration and Public Policy from London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Law (Honours) and Arts from Monash University.
Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Marlo Baragwanath is a person of outstanding ability, skills and experience – and we're proud to officially appoint the first woman to this pivotal role.”
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula
“Ms Baragwanath’s background and leadership across the public sector will be invaluable in her new position providing high quality legal advice to government.”
“I’d like to thank the former Victorian Government Solicitor Peter Stewart who finished his five-year term in August, and Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor Alison O’Brien for acting in the role in the interim.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020