The Law Society of Tasmania Law Society and Family Law Practitioners Association (Tas) (FLPAT) welcome the Federal Government ’s announcement today of the following judicial appointments:

  • Judge Terry McGuire, elevated from the Federal Circuit Court of Australia to the Family Court of Australia
  • Barrister Ms Sandra Taglieri SC, appointed to the Federal Circuit Court at the Hobart Registry.
  • Ogilvie Jennings Partner, Mr Marcus Turnbull SC, appointed to the Federal Circuit Court at the Launceston Registry.

Judge Terry McGuire was appointed to the Federal Circuit Court, Melbourne Registry on 6 October 2008, In 2016, Judge McGuire was transferred to Tasmania, based in Launceston servicing the
North and North West of Tasmania as well as a maintaining a case list in Melbourne.

Ms Julia Higgins the President of the FLPAT said “We are delighted with the news that Judge McGuire will be elevated to the Family Court of Australia. This is a well deserved appointment. Judge McGuire is not only highly experienced in family law, but he has a reputation for being a hard worker. His devotion to his work as a Judge particularly over the last 6 months has been exemplary.  The profession in Tasmania is very fortunate to have Judicial appointments of such high calibre.”

Sandra Taglieri SC was admitted to practice in 1989 and commenced at the Independent Bar in 2009. She is the immediate past President of the Tasmanian Bar and a member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.  She has extensive experience in most areas of civil litigation and family law having practised in both areas for over 30 years.

Marcus Turnbull SC was admitted to practice Law in 1991 He has appeared in countless family law trials and appeals and has consistently been recognised as a pre eminent and a leading Family Lawyer and mediator in Tasmania. He is a past Chair of the FLPAT and current member of the Law Council of Australia’s Family Law Section executive

Both Sandra and Marcus have been awarded the Law Society of Tasmania President’s Award. Sandra was also awarded the Tasmanian Women Lawyers Award in 2018.

President of the Law Society Mr Trevor McKenna said All three Tasmanian appointments are specialist judges, who prior to being appointed to their respective Courts were seen by their peers
as specialist lawyers with extensive experience and understanding of family law including issues of family violence, child abuse and mental health.“

“Our resident judges will assist families in resolving their often complex disputes and we are confident they will do so with impeccable decision making and in a timely and efficient manner Mr McKenna said.

The Tasmanian Legal Profession specifically acknowledge and thanks the Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court the Honourable Will Alstergren for his ongoing support and commitment to the Tasmanian community and legal profession.

We commend the Federal Government for these appointments and commend its commitment to the Tasmanian community.

For more information or requests for media interviews with Mr McKenna phone 0414 721 696 and Ms Higgins on 0400 851 547