Georgina Rhodes

Profile

Georgina is a barrister with over 15 years of legal experience. She accepts briefs in a wide range of commercial law, regulatory and public law matters. Georgina appears in various State and Federal tribunals and courts; and has acted for various parties in investigations, inquests and Royal Commissions. She has appeared (unled) as Counsel Assisting for IBAC and provided advice to other integrity bodies including the Victorian Inspectorate.

Georgina has a First Class Honours Degree (majoring in Finance) from the University of Tasmania, with her thesis titled “Is insider trading profitable?”. Due to this background Georgina has a keen interest in commercial matters including corporations, consumer law, insolvency and bankruptcy. She accepts briefs in relation to compulsory examinations, winding-up applications, applications to set aside statutory demands, contractual disputes, consumer protection claims and interlocutory disputes.

Georgina regularly advises and appears in disciplinary matters, regulatory investigations and proceedings (including civil penalties). She appears in both merits and judicial review proceedings in local and interstate jurisdictions. Georgina has significant expertise in the area of statutory interpretation and administrative decision-making, providing advice to various government departments and statutory authorities in relation to the introduction, implementation and application of new or amending legislation. Given her background in criminal prosecutions Georgina has a particular interest in matters where criminal law and commercial law intersect.

Georgina has expertise in regulatory and public law matters, having appeared in Victoria and Interstate in Public Inquiries and Royal Commissions including:

• The Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings. Counsel Assisting Team led by Elizabeth Bennett SC (now the honourable Justice Bennett of the Federal Court of Australia), with Maree Norton (now SC) and Rachel Ellyard.
• The Yoorrook Justice Commission. Victorian Government Counsel Team led by Elizabeth Bennett SC (now the honourable Justice Bennett of the Federal Court of Australia) and Frances Gordon KC, with Dr Laura Hilly and Luisa Frederico.

Georgina read with Rachel Ellyard and her Senior Mentor is Elizabeth Ruddle KC.

Professional Development

Georgina provides continual professional development seminars to legal professionals, both in house and through education providers. She has previously provided seminars on Responding to Regulators, Using Information Obtained Under Coercion for a Secondary Purpose, Administrative Decision Making and Statutory Interpretation.

Georgina was also a sessional marker for Deakin University.

Education

·     Masters of Laws - University of Melbourne

·     Bachelor of Economics (First Class Honours) – University of Tasmania

·     Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws – University of Tasmania