Queensland Law Society has applauded the state government’s appointment of three new magistrates – including prominent solicitors Charltons Lawyers Bundaberg partner, Edwina Rowan and Mullins Lawyers Senior Associate Veena Jattan.
President Elizabeth Shearer welcomed the appointment of three very capable women to the bench, including two solicitors. Ms Shearer’s comments follow Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman’s announcement barrister Dzenita Balic and solicitor Veena Jattan will sit in the Southport Magistrates Court and solicitor Edwina Rowan at the Bundaberg Magistrates Court from 4 January 2022.
“I congratulate Magistrates Balic, Jattan and Rowan on their appointments and it is particularly pleasing to people who have been such strong contributors to the community and the profession stepping into these roles,” Ms Shearer said.
“Magistrate Balic was admitted to the bar in 2006 and was a principal crown prosecutor at Ipswich, Maroochydore and Brisbane. She is also the Chair of Diversity for the Women’s Lawyers Association of Queensland and former board member of the Islamic Centre Rochedale.
“Magistrate Jattan has tremendous experience in litigation and dispute resolution and has been an active member of Queensland Law Society serving on the Commercial Litigation Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee.
“Magistrate Rowan’s appointment to Bundaberg, where she has already made such a strong contribution to the community is particularly welcome. Magistrate Rowan was a very successful president of the Bundaberg Law Association, and has been a stalwart contributor to many community organisations. Her contribution to the legal profession and community was recognised in 2019 when she was named the winner of the prestigious Agnes McWhinney award, named after the first woman solicitor in Queensland.
Ms Shearer said the wealth of experience and the diverse perspectives the new appointees will bring to the bench will continue to ensure the effective administration of justice in Queensland.
“The new Magistrates are each highly respected in their fields and their appointments will be celebrated by the legal profession.
“These are wonderful announcements for the communities in which they will work and we wish them all the best in their new roles,” Ms Shearer said.