- Justice Stephen Lemonis appointed as a Judge of the WA Court of Appeal
- District Court Judge Tania Jeyamohan and barrister Steven Wong SC appointed as Supreme Court Judges
Justice Stephen Lemonis has been appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Western Australia and Judge Tania Jeyamohan as a Judge of the WA Supreme Court.
Barrister Steven Wong SC has also been appointed as a WA Supreme Court Judge.
Justice Lemonis commences his new role on 10 August after serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court General Division for the past three years.
He replaces Justice Stephen Hall who resigned as a Judge of Appeal to take up his new position as Deputy Commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission.
From February 2019 to June 2023, Justice Lemonis presided as a Judge of the WA District Court where he predominantly sat in the court's criminal jurisdiction.
Prior to his appointment to the District Court, his Honour practised at and was a principal of several private law firms where he specialised in commercial litigation, white collar and corporate crime, regulatory investigations, insolvency, and other criminal proceedings. He brings to the Court of Appeal more than 35 years of legal experience.
Judge Jeyamohan fills the Supreme Court General Division vacancy left by Justice Lemonis after presiding as a District Court Judge for the past year.
Prior to her appointment as a Judge of the District Court, her Honour's 25-year legal career involved periods in private practice and at the State Solicitor's Office (SSO) specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration, contracts and contract disputes, State Agreements, class actions, and statutory interpretation. Her Honour previously served as Deputy State Solicitor for the Public and General Litigation section at the SSO and as a Registrar of the District Court from 2022 to 2024.
Mr Wong has practised as an independent barrister since 2009, having appeared in trials, appeals, and commercial arbitrations.
Specialising in banking, corporations and regulatory law and equity, he has represented banks, insurers, and resources companies in a broad range of significant commercial disputes. He has also maintained a pro bono practice through volunteering at the Subiaco Justice Centre.
Mr Wong was appointed as Senior Counsel last year. Prior to joining the bar, he spent five years working in the commercial litigation division of a private firm and a year as an Associate to a Federal Court Judge.
Both he and Judge Jeyamohan will also begin their new roles on 10 August.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"I congratulate Justice Stephen Lemonis, Judge Tania Jeyamohan, and Steven Wong SC on their respective appointments to the Supreme Court General Division and Court of Appeal.
"All three are highly experienced and respected legal practitioners who have worked on complex matters over their careers and will bolster our State's judiciary at the trial and appellate levels.
"Justice Lemonis has already made an outstanding contribution as a Judge of the Supreme Court and District Court and prior to this, in commercial litigation and the criminal justice system.
"With her expertise in public and private sector litigation, Judge Jeyamohan has quickly shown an adeptness in presiding over civil, criminal, and appeal matters before the District Court.
"Mr Wong joins the General Division bench after 17 years as a commercial barrister handling commercial disputes across a range of industries and will help the court continue to manage a substantial caseload.
"I thank Justice Lemonis, Judge Jeyamohan, and Mr Wong for their willingness to serve the WA community in these important judicial roles and wish them every success."
