Maurice Blackburn announces 35 legal promotions for 2026

15 December 2025 

The new Principal Lawyers are Katherine McCallum (class actions), Kirsten Van Der Wal (medical negligence) and Leah O’Keefe (asbestos).

The promotions also include one Special Counsel, 13 Senior Associates and 18 Associates.

Overall, 35 lawyers across the firm have been promoted, including 17 in Victoria, 12 in Queensland, four in NSW, and one each in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Women account for 26 of the promotions, or about three-quarters of the total promoted, including all three of the newly appointed Principal Lawyers. 

The promotions span many of the firm’s practice areas including abuse, asbestos and dust diseases, class actions, employment and industrial, medical negligence, injuries, social justice and super and insurance.

Chief Executive Officer Jacob Varghese congratulated all the lawyers recognised in the promotions, especially the significant numbers of women continuing to thrive in their legal careers.

“The strong representation of women in these promotions – including all three new Principal Lawyers – is a testament to both individual success and our firm’s progress towards gender equality.

“Each promotion represents a significant personal achievement, acknowledging dedication, growing expertise, and increased leadership within the firm. 

“At the same time, these successes highlight our collective progress as a firm, reflecting our ongoing commitment to enhancing both employee and client experiences.

“Those who have been promoted exemplify our shared mission to expand access to justice for all Australians.”