New magistrates appointed in Perth and Albany

21/07/05
Acting Attorney General John D'Orazio today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Hamilton, Leighton Jones and Michelle Pontifex as new magistrates.
Mr Jones and Ms Pontifex will replace retiring magistrates Robert Burton and Frank Cullen at the Magistrates Court of Western Australia in Perth.
Ms Hamilton will replace magistrate Robert Glynn, who retires on August 25 from the Albany Magistrates Court.
Elizabeth Hamilton - was admitted to practice in 1995, working as the criminal law manager at the Aboriginal Legal Service in Perth for two years before becoming the principal legal officer at Women's Legal Services. In 1999, Ms Hamilton joined McDonald and Sutherland as a solicitor. Since 2001, she has been the solicitor-in-charge for Legal Aid WA in the Goldfields.
Leighton Jones - was admitted to practice in 1994 and was the associate to Justice John Gallop in the Federal Court of Australia and the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory Supreme Courts. In 1996, he joined Canberra-based law firm McGuinness Eley and worked as a barrister and solicitor for nearly two years. In 1998, he moved to Port Hedland, where he became barrister and solicitor for the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA. In 2001, he joined Legal Aid WA in Port Hedland, becoming solicitor-in-charge in 2002.
Michelle Pontifex - was admitted to practice in 1981, working as a solicitor with McManus and Cullen. In 1985, she joined the Law Society of WA, investigating and reporting on complaints against the legal profession. In 1987, Ms Pontifex became deputy registrar at the Workers' Compensation Board of WA, handling disputed compensation claims. In 1994, she joined Pullinger Stewart as a partner and senior solicitor. Since 1999, she has been a review officer at Workcover WA, where she has occasionally served as acting director of the conciliation and review directorate.
Ms Hamilton, Mr Jones and Ms Pontifex take up their appointments on August 1.
Attorney General's office: 9220 5000