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Experience

Hannah practises principally in public and commercial law. She is regularly briefed as junior counsel in complex litigation in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Federal Court of Australia, at trial and appellate level, and to provide advice to diverse clients in the public and private sectors.

Before coming to the Bar, Hannah was an Associate to the Hon Justice Patrick Keane AC at the High Court of Australia. She was also a Senior Solicitor in the Constitution and Advice team of the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office, where she conducted litigation and advised on matters raising issues of constitutional law and complex statutory interpretation, and a Solicitor in the Banking and Infrastructure team at Gilbert + Tobin, where she worked on high-value project finance transactions in the energy and social infrastructure sectors.

Hannah has particular experience in environment and resources subject matters, including as they arise in administrative proceedings and large commercial disputes, and as they intersect with First Nations rights and interests.

Hannah holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons I) from the University of Queensland, a Masters in English Literature (Distinction) from the University of Edinburgh, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne.

Hannah read with Graeme Hill SC.

Some recent matters in which Hannah has been briefed include:

• Ebatarinja v Northern Territory (Federal Court of Australia) - for the plaintiff, with Timothy Goodwin, Madeleine Salinger and Marcel Delany
• Kirby v Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet (Supreme Court of Victoria) - for the first defendant, led by Jason Pizer SC
• Enviro Centre (NT) Inc v Minister for Environment (Federal Court of Australia) - for the first respondent, led by Zoe Maud SC
• Mpwerempwer Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing (High Court of Australia) - for the appellant, led by Chris Young KC and Laura Hilly
• Whyman on behalf of the Barapa Barapa People #1 and #2 v State of Victoria (Federal Court of Australia) - for the NSW Attorney-General, led by David Yarrow SC
• Australian Conservation Foundation v Minister for Environment (Federal Court of Australia) - for the applicant, led by Angus Scott KC and Josh Underwood
• Fagan on behalf of Waddawurrung Native Title Claim v State of Victoria (Federal Court of Australia) - for the State, led by Laura Hilly
• Warburton Environment Inc v Secretary, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (Federal Court of Australia) — for the Secretary, led by Emily Porter SC and Mark Hosking
  
• I Cook Foods Pty Ltd v Greater Dandenong City Council (Supreme Court of Victoria) — for the defendants, led by Chris Winneke KC
• Save our Strathbogie Forest Inc v Secretary, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action [2024] FCA 317 — for the Secretary, led by Frances Gordon KC and Alexander Solomon-Bridge
• Sayers Property Holdings Pty Ltd v AIG Australia Ltd [2024] VSC 139 — for the defendant insurer, led by Hamish Redd SC
• Australian Red Cross Society Inc v The ORS Group Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of Victoria) — for the plaintiff, led by Kathleen Foley SC
  
• Aurelius Marvel One Ltd v Orica Investments Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of Victoria) — for the plaintiff, led by Hamish Austin KC and Nick Kotzman
• Moorabool and Central Highlands Power Alliance v Australian Energy Markets Operator (Supreme Court of Victoria) — for the defendant, led by Jason Pizer KC
• VicForests v Environment East Gippsland Inc; VicForests v Kinglake Friends of the Forest Inc [2023] VSCA 159 — for the appellant, led by Rachel Doyle SC and Olaf Ciolek
• Townshend v Fendall Farms Pty Ltd (Federal Court of Australia) — for the fifth and sixth defendants, led by Ian Waller KC and Colette Mintz.
• WOTCH Inc v VicForests (Supreme Court of Victoria) — for the defendant, led by Jason Pizer KC, Hamish Redd and Fiona Hudgson
• Environment East Gippsland Inc v VicForests; Kinglake Friends of the Forest Inc v VicForests [2022] VSC 668 (Supreme Court of Victoria) — for the defendant, led by Philip Solomon KC and Olaf Ciolek
• Victorian Electoral Commission v Yildiz (VCAT review of Moreland City Council election) — for Victoria Police, on a question of public interest immunity

From 22 Oct 2021, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.