Appointments to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)

I am pleased to announce the appointments of Lisa Doust and Vanessa Jane Leishman as Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).

Ms Doust has been appointed to the Sydney Registry and Ms Leishman has been appointed to the Canberra Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2). They will commence on 14 October 2024.

These appointments have been made following an open call for expressions of interest across Australia. All applications were considered by an advisory panel comprised of eminent individuals.

On behalf of the Australian Government, I congratulate Ms Doust and Ms Leishman on their appointments and thank them for their willingness to serve the people of Australia as Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).

Biographical Details

Lisa Doust

Ms Doust graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws in 1993. Ms Doust was admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1993 and was called to the New South Wales Bar in 2008.

Vanessa-Jane Leishman

Ms Leishman graduated from Auckland University with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in 1994. Ms Leishman also holds a Masters in Applied Law (Family Law) from the College of Law. Ms Leishman was admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia in 2011.

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