- Attorney-General
The Andrews Labor Government has today announced the appointment of John Cain as a County Court Judge and new State Coroner. Mr Cain will start work in the role in December this year.
Mr Cain is currently the Solicitor for Public Prosecutions for Victoria, a role he has served in since 2015. In this role, he is responsible for briefing Crown Prosecutors to appear in criminal proceedings and for the management of the Office of Public Prosecutions.
His achievements include reforms to improve support for victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system, including a dedicated support website, expanded Witness Assistance Service and introduction of a Victim Support Dog program.
Mr Cain has also introduced programs to address workplace vicarious trauma and led the roll out of critical technology and digitisation initiatives.
He has also served in a number of senior leadership roles across the legal sector in his more than 30-year career as a solicitor.
These roles include more than 10 years as Managing Partner of Maurice Blackburn and 5 years as Chief Executive of the Law Institute of Victoria. From 2006 to 2011, he served as Victoria’s Government Solicitor and served as Managing Partner of Herbert Geer (now Thomson Geer) from 2011 to 2015.
He is a Board Member of the Legal Practitioners Liability, serves on the Advisory Board of the Victoria University School of Business and Law and is a member of the College of Law Victoria Chapter Board.
Mr Cain has a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws from Monash University. He also has undertaken the Legal Professional Services Firm Course at Harvard Business School.
His appointment to the Coroners Court follows the resignation of State Coroner Sara Hinchey earlier this year.
As stated by Attorney General Jill Hennessy
“Mr Cain is a highly regarded lawyer and brings a wealth of experience in the legal sector.”
“I congratulate Mr Cain on his appointment as Victoria’s new State Coroner and look forward to his continued contribution to the Victorian justice system.”
“I would also like to extend my thanks to Sara Hinchey for her service as the State Coroner and Caitlin English for her service as Acting State Coroner.”
