Rowena Orr appointed Victoria’s Solicitor-General

Rowena Orr, who came to national prominence at the banking royal commission, has been appointed Victorian Solicitor-General.

Rowena Orr in action during the Banking Royal Commission.

The barrister who rose to national prominence after eviscerating the top dogs of the corporate world during the banking royal commission will become Victoria’s next solicitor-general.

The state government on Tuesday announced that Rowena Orr QC will become the state’s most senior legal adviser and advocate on May 10.

Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said Mr Orr’s 20-year career as a barrister, which saw her take the title of Queen’s Counsel in 2015, made her the perfect candidate to take the role of solicitor-general.

“Rowena Orr’s impressive career is testament to her tireless work ethic, relentless drive and dedication to justice – attributes that will serve her well as Victoria’s next Solicitor-General,” she said.

“We’re privileged to have the benefit of Ms Orr’s breadth of experience and legal ability to advise and guide the Government on important matters.”

Ms Orr earned the nickname “shock and Orr” during the banking royal commission for her measured but devastating cross examination of banking heavies.

She became known for letting her witnesses trap themselves in their own testimony before uttering the phrase “let me show you a document” and proceeding to prove everything they had said was completely untrue.

Michael Hodge QC, who also appeared as senior counsel assisting at the banking inquiry, said Ms Orr’s appointment as solictor-general was great.

“Ro is brilliant, thorough and imperturbable and she brings a sense of calm to everything she works on,” he said.

“If I ever needed counsel she’s who I’d want and it’s no surprise that the Victorian Government feels the same way.”

Mark Costello, who worked alongside Ms Orr during the banking royal commission, said Ms Orr was both the obvious and standout choice for solicitor-general.

“She has managed to maintain a practice that covers common law, commercial law, criminal law and public law (constitutional and administration) in an age of increasing specialisation,” he said.

“And she does it all while maintaining perspective and an active life outside her work.

“The state is very lucky to have someone of her calibre as its principal adviser and advocate.”

High profile scalps claimed by the banking royal commission include then National Bank of Australia chairman Ken Henry and then AMP chairwoman Catherine Brenner.

Ms Orr receives a scholarship in 1999. Picture: Chris Pavlich

Ms Orr was a senior solicitor with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution, and associate to both former High Court justice Michael McHugh AC QC and former Queensland Chief Justice John Macrossan AC QC.

She has also appeared as counsel assisting during Victoria’s inquiry into family violence and at the coronial inquest into the 1997 abduction and murder of one-year-old Jaidyn Leskie.

Prominent media lawyer Justin Quill, partner with law firm Thomson Greer, said Ms Orr had a reputation for being tough but likeable in legal circles.

“Rowena Orr is an outstanding barrister and person,” he said.

“She is known as being very tough but also well liked – a fairly rare combination.”

“Lawyers practising in Victoria have long known her quality advocacy but it became more widely understood during the banking royal commission.”

Thomson Greer provides legal advice to The Australian.

Ms Orr has a Master of Philosophy in Criminology from the University of Cambridge and holds degrees in law and economics from the University of Queensland.

She will replace Kristen Walker QC, who was recently appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal.