In 2015 Mary Anne joined the Tasmanian Independent Bar after 13 years as a barrister and solicitor engaged in civil, criminal, family law and child protection litigation.
Mary Anne has had carriage of and appeared as Counsel in multiple ground-breaking and innovative family law cases in the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia which have made significant contributions to the development of case law.
Mary Anne is regularly appointed as an Independent Children’s Lawyer in the family law jurisdiction and as the Separate Representative in the child protection jurisdiction.
Although, Mary Anne has special interest in survivors of trauma, mental health and family violence cases; she is regularly briefed in all types of matters before Courts including property and child support matters.
Mary Anne was the 2024 recipient of the Tasmania Legal Aid Practitioner Award.
Mary Anne accepts briefs in regional and interstate areas.
Qualifications and Admissions
| 2002 | Admitted, Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court of Australia |
| 2001 | Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Tasmania |
Board & Committee Memberships
| 2024 | Director Law Council of Australia |
| 2024 | Vice President Tasmanian Bar Association |
| 2019 to present | Member Tasmanian Civil & Administrative Tribunal |
| 2019 to present | Council Member Tasmanian Independent Bar |
| 2020 to present | Member Ethics Committee of the Australian Bar Association |
| 2016 to present | Member Family Law Committee of the Law Society of Tasmania |
| 2004 – 2013 | Committee Member of Family Law Practitioners Association of Tasmania |
| 2013 – 2018 | Member Litigation Committee of the Law Society of Tasmania |
| 2009 – 2019 | Board Member of Hobart Women’s Shelter |
| 2014 – 2018 | Chair of Hobart Women’s Shelter Board |
| 2010 – 2011 | President of Australian Women Lawyers |
| 2010 – 2011 | Member Equal Opportunity Committee of the Law Council of Australia |
| 2006 – 2011 | Board Member of Australian Women Lawyers |
| 2006 – 2011 | President of Tasmanian Women Lawyers |
| 2003 – 2013 | Committee Member of Tasmanian Women Lawyers |