A broad range of legal talent is being appointed to the judiciary, to fill a series of imminent and upcoming vacancies.
In the District Court, leading criminal lawyer Jeff Powell SC has been appointed as a Judge.
Mr Powell has been practising law for more than 30 years, including nearly a decade as senior prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and has been a barrister for nearly 20 years.
He is currently the Chief Counsel to the Legal Services Commission, and commences with the District Court next week (May 25).
In the Supreme Court, experienced lawyer, company director and former Member of Parliament and Minister Andrea Michaels will begin work as an Associate Justice on 15 June, filling the vacancy created by the elevation of Associate Justice Katrina Bochner to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court.
Associate Justices play an important role supporting the work of the Justices of the Supreme Court, including case management, mediations and hearing interlocutory matters.
Prior to her election to State Parliament, Ms Michaels had an extensive career in tax, estate planning and commercial law, including as Managing Director of the boutique law firm NDA Law. Her legal skills were recognised with national awards, including being listed in Best Lawyers in Australia over multiple years for commercial law, tax law and wealth management.
Deputy Coroner Naomi Kereru will take on the role of State Coroner when sitting Coroner David Whittle's appointment concludes at the end of August this year. Coroner Whittle will return to the role of a magistrate from 1 September 2026.
Ms Kereru brings significant experience in the coronial jurisdiction to the role of State Coroner, having served as a Deputy State Coroner since 2024 and a coroner since 2022. Prior to this, Ms Kereru spent ten years as counsel assisting the State and Deputy Coroners, before joining the independent bar, where she specialised in public inquiries, criminal law and administrative law.
In the Magistrates Court, experienced solicitor Thomas Burke will next week (May 28) begin work as a Magistrate, filling the vacancy created by the impending resignation of Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis.
Most recently, Mr Burke has been working as a Judicial Registrar with the Magistrates Court after a 15-year term with Norman Waterhouse Lawyers.
In the South Australian Employment Tribunal, employment law specialist Ben Smith has been appointed Commissioner, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Commissioner Jaspreet Kaur.
Mr Smith has most recently been working as a lawyer specialising in industrial, employment and workers compensation law with Mellor Olsson and begins his term with the SAET next month (15 June).
As put by Kyam Maher
Each of the individuals being appointed to judicial office today bring exceptional legal skills, and wide and varied careers.
These appointees have a diverse range of credentials and experience that will serve them in good stead as they take on important new responsibilities.
South Australia's courts and tribunals play a critical role in delivering justice, and these new appointments will support the efficiency of our justice system.
