Attorney-General: Alison Legge, Trevor McKenna FCFCOA Division 2 Appointments

• Alison Legge and Trevor McKenna have been appointed as judges to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) Division 2.
• Their appointments are effective from October 19, 2026, with Ms. Legge assigned to the Melbourne registry and Mr. McKenna to the Hobart registry.
• Ms. Legge previously served as a senior judicial registrar of the Federal Court, bringing extensive judicial and court administration experience.
• Mr. McKenna has over 18 years of experience primarily in family law, including child protection and appellate advocacy.
• Michelle Rowland, Attorney-General, and William Alstergren, FCFCOA Chief Judge, welcomed these significant FCFCOA judicial appointments.

He stated that their qualifications are eminent and that their combined experience and expertise will be invaluable assets to the court and the communities served by the Hobart and Melbourne registries.

The federal government has announced the upcoming appointments of Alison Legge and Trevor McKenna as judges to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), Division 2. These significant FCFCOA judicial appointments 2026 are slated to take effect on October 19, 2026. Ms. Legge will serve in the Melbourne registry, while Mr. McKenna will be based in the Hobart registry. This decision follows a comprehensive selection process that included an open call for expressions of interest and careful consideration by an advisory panel.

Michelle Rowland, the Attorney-General for Australia, extended her congratulations to both Ms. Legge and Mr. McKenna, acknowledging their commitment to public service. William Alstergren, the FCFCOA Chief Judge, also welcomed the news, emphasizing the high regard in which both appointees are held. He stated that their qualifications are eminent and that their combined experience and expertise will be invaluable assets to the court and the communities served by the Hobart and Melbourne registries. These Alison Legge Trevor McKenna FCFCOA Division 2 appointments mark a crucial step in strengthening the court's judicial capacity.

Alison Legge brings a wealth of experience to her new role as a Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Division 2 judge. Since 2021, she has served as a senior judicial registrar of the Federal Court of Australia, where her responsibilities spanned managing diverse matters across the Federal Court's jurisdiction. This included complex commercial and intellectual property proceedings, as well as handling cost determinations and facilitating expert witness conferences in intricate litigation. Her extensive background as an Alison Legge senior judicial registrar demonstrates substantial judicial and court administration experience, as noted by Chief Judge Alstergren.

Prior to her registrar role, Ms. Legge practiced as a solicitor in both Australia and the United Kingdom. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia in 1987. Her academic credentials include an LLM from the University of Melbourne, an LLB (Honours) and a BA (Honours) from the Australian National University, and an MA in War Studies from King's College London, underscoring a robust legal and academic foundation.

Trevor McKenna, another of the new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Division 2 judges, has dedicated over 18 years primarily to family law practice. His comprehensive experience encompasses all facets of family law, including appellate advocacy, child protection matters, and professional disciplinary proceedings. Chief Judge Alstergren highlighted Mr. McKenna's extensive background in family law, child protection, and related jurisdictions, alongside his strong record of service to the legal profession in Tasmania.

Mr. McKenna joined the Tasmanian bar in 2023. His admissions as a solicitor include the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2011, the High Court of Australia in 2010, and both the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 2008. He is an active member of the executive committee of the Law Council of Australia’s family law section and previously served as president of the Law Society of Tasmania from 2020 to 2021. He earned degrees in commerce and law from the University of Tasmania in 2007, further solidifying his expertise as one of the new Australian family law judges.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Division 2 plays a critical role in the nation's judicial system, handling a significant volume of family law and general federal law matters. The addition of highly qualified individuals like Ms. Legge and Mr. McKenna is essential for maintaining the court's capacity and ensuring the efficient administration of justice. Their diverse backgrounds, spanning complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, and extensive family law practice, will undoubtedly enrich the court's expertise and contribute to its ability to address a wide array of legal challenges.

These FCFCOA judicial appointments 2026 are part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the judiciary and ensure that the court is well-equipped to serve the Australian community. The rigorous selection process, involving an open call and advisory panel, underscores the commitment to appointing judges based on merit and suitability. The experience of these new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Division 2 judges, particularly in areas like child protection and appellate advocacy, will be particularly beneficial in navigating the often sensitive and complex cases that come before the court. Notably, Tracy Flintoff was also appointed to FCFCOA Division 2, effective August 10, 2026, further expanding the court's judicial strength.

Lawyers practicing in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, particularly in Division 2, should note the upcoming appointments of Judges Legge and McKenna effective October 2026. Understanding the backgrounds and experience of new judicial officers can inform litigation strategy and expectations regarding judicial temperament and focus in relevant family law and potentially other matters.

Source: Original reporting on judicial appointments via government announcements.