New appointments strengthen Supreme Court

16 Mar 2022

Two new appointments have been made to the Supreme Court of NSW, with Justice David Hammerschlag appointed as Chief Judge in Equity and Sydney barrister Anna Mitchelmore SC appointed as a Judge of Appeal.

Attorney General Mark Speakman said both appointees bring a wealth of experience to their new roles.

“Justice Hammerschlag and Ms Mitchelmore have distinguished legal careers and decades of collective wisdom between them,” Mr Speakman said.

“The NSW justice system is fortunate to have practitioners of such standing serving on the bench of our Supreme Court.”

Justice Hammerschlag commences his new role on 17 March, replacing new Court of Appeal President Justice Julie Ward, and Ms Mitchelmore commences on 28 March.

Justice Hammerschlag started his legal career in his native South Africa before re-qualifying in NSW.

Called to the NSW Bar in 1991, he was appointed Senior Counsel in 2000, appearing at the Royal Commission into the HIH Insurance Group and the ICAC inquiry into the Orange Grove development.

He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2007 where he has presided over high profile commercial and corporate matters.

Ms Mitchelmore was admitted as a lawyer in 2000, called to the NSW Bar in 2004 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2018.

A part-time Commissioner of the NSW Law Reform Commission, Ms Mitchelmore has broad experience in administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law, local government and environmental law.