Attorney-General Martin Pakula today announced the appointment of Melinda Richards SC as Crown Counsel.
Boasting broad knowledge across the law with more than 20 years of experience, Ms Richards has specialised in diverse areas such as industrial, employment and equal opportunity law, personal injuries work, freedom of information and privacy.
Her appointment as Crown Counsel follows her exceptional work as a Barrister over the last 19 years.
Crown Counsel provides high-level advice to the Attorney-General and conducts reviews and investigations on a range of legal and policy-related matters.
Ms Richards will also assist Michael Brett Young in his review of Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, announced yesterday.
Ms Richards graduated from the University of Melbourne with Honours in 1991 and was admitted to practice in 1993. She was appointed Senior Counsel in 2013.
Her early career gave her exposure to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, the Crimes Compensation Tribunal and various jurisdictions including the Industrial Relations, Magistrates’, County and Federal Courts.
Ms Richards was also a junior counsel assisting the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and senior counsel assisting the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry in 2014.
Ms Richards will commence in the role on 7 April 2015.
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Martin Pakula
“Ms Richards brings impressive legal experience and significant knowledge to the table, including work at all levels within Victorian and Federal legal forums.”
“The breadth of government work Ms Richards has previously undertaken will also make her a huge asset in serving as Crown Counsel.”
“Ms Richards’ long-standing interest in equal opportunity matters will be invaluable to the Victorian Government’s review of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020