It was with great pleasure that our community welcomed the Hon. Justice Janine Pritchard as our Academic Awards guest speaker in February 2020. Janine Pritchard was a student at Merici College from 1983 to 1986 (Year 9 – Year 12).
Janine holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Australian National University, a Master of Laws degree (with Distinction) from the University of London, and a Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies from Murdoch University.
Between 1991 and 2009 Janine worked as a solicitor and counsel in the Western Australian State Solicitor’s Office. She also lectured and tutored in law at Western Australian universities at various times during that period.
Between June 2009 and June 2010, Janine was a judge of the District Court of Western Australia and during that period she served as a Deputy President of the State Administrative Tribunal.
She was appointed to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2010 and appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal in 2018.
In June 2019 she was appointed as the President of the State Administrative Tribunal.
In addition to speaking to our students, Janine also attended a Year 10 Citizenship class and a Senior Legal Studies class for a Q&A with our students.
Known for her powerful intellect and work ethic, Janine has been an important role model for women planning to combine a career in law, and in the judiciary in particular, with family responsibilities. Her first child was present at her swearing in ceremony; her second was born after her appointment. While she acknowledges the challenges of maintaining a demanding career with a 'hands on' approach to family life, Justice Pritchard has demonstrated that working arrangements for the judiciary are capable of accommodating family friendly policies, such as maternity leave.
We thank Janine for visiting the College and sharing her knowledge and experience with our students.
