Two new magistrates for the NSW Local Court

Thursday, 25 May 2023

Two lawyers appointed to the bench of the NSW Local Court bring breadth and depth of experience across jurisdictions and areas of legal practice. Attorney General Michael Daley has appointed solicitors Keisha Hopgood and Stephan Herridge and to join the busiest court in Australia.

“Ms Hopgood and Mr Herridge have had exceptional careers as solicitors and will bring their extensive experience to the Local Court,” Mr Daley said. “Ms Hopgood comes to the Local Court with impressive credentials and experience as a practising solicitor of 14 years, most recently with the Aboriginal Legal Service.” Ms Hopgood began her career working at the Children’s Legal Service at the Legal Aid Commission NSW. She represented children and young people gaining extensive experience in the criminal law jurisdiction, including bail and sentence matters, diversionary applications and hearings.

Ms Hopgood went on to join the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) where she has worked for the last six years in a variety of leadership positions, including as Principal Solicitor, Justice Projects, Policy and Practice. Most recently Ms Hopgood was Acting Principal Legal Officer, responsible for the ALS NSW and ACT Legal Practices across criminal law, care and protection, family law and civil law. 

Mr Herridge began his career in England where he headed a civil and family litigation department in a suburban London practice, also assisting with criminal advocacy and police station representation. He went on to specialise in child protection and represented children and adults at all levels including the UK High Court. Since moving to Australia in 2005 he has held various positions including within the then Department of Community Services (now Department of Communities and Justice), the Hawkesbury Nepean Legal Centre and more recently in private practice as a Principal Solicitor specialising in Children’s Court care and protection proceedings.

“Ms Hopgood and Mr Herridge will be welcome additions to the NSW Local Court when they are sworn in early in June.”

The new magistrates are among the 149 judicial officers in the jurisdiction serving 131 courthouses across the state.