12 December 2008
NEW FEDERAL MAGISTRATE APPOINTED
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced the appointment of a new Federal Magistrate in Cairns.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Josephine Willis as a
Federal Magistrate,” Mr McClelland said.
“Ms Willis is a highly respected Barrister and brings to her new position local knowledge in addition to considerable experience and expertise in family law.”
The Government sought expressions of interest and nominations through the national and local media, undertook extensive consultation, and appointed an advisory panel to assess and recommend suitable candidates.
Mr McClelland said the Government’s transparent process for judicial appointments can give the public confidence that every appointment is made on merit.
Ms Willis’ appointment will commence in January 2009.
A short biography of Ms Willis is below.
Media Contact: Adam Sims 0419 480 224
Ms Josephine Willis
Ms Willis was admitted as a Barrister in the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1995 and is based in Cairns. Her areas of specialty are family law, de facto property, child protection and domestic violence. Ms Willis is a member of the Bar Association of Queensland and has served as a regional member of that association’s council. She is a member of the Law Council of Australia, the Family Law Practitioners Association in Brisbane, the Family Law Practitioners Group in Cairns, Far North Queensland Barristers Association Inc and was a member of the Family Court Case Management Committee in North Queensland from 2004 to 2007.
