Norton Rose Fulbright appoints experienced public law partner Kristina Mihalic in Canberra.

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright welcomes experienced public law advisor to the Australian Commonwealth Government – Kristina Mihalic – as a partner in Canberra.

For over 15 years, Kristina has acted for the Commonwealth Government, federal ministers and Commonwealth officers in the High Court, Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, and various state courts and administrative tribunals.

She brings deep subject matter knowledge of administrative law and statutory interpretation, and significant Royal Commission/public inquiries experience. Kristina advises on statutory regimes and legislative interpretation, freedom of information and privacy issues, and administrative decision making, and she represents clients in judicial review and merit review matters in courts and tribunals.

This appointment marks the third new partner in the last year to join the firm’s growing Canberra office, following the recruitment of head of cybersecurity, Australia, Annie Haggar in September 2024 and employment and labour law practitioner Bede Gahan in March 2024. Kristina was previously a partner in a national law firm, and she has held roles at global law firm DLA Piper and the Australian Government Solicitor.

Norton Rose Fulbright chief executive partner in Australia, Alison Deitz, commented:

“Kristina’s appointment highlights the growing momentum we are building in our Canberra office and in the national government practice. We see significant opportunities to grow a holistic public law offering from an advisory perspective but also in strategic litigation. Adding Kristina, with her strong Commonwealth Government relationships and respected public law skillset, will allow us to offer greater value to our Commonwealth Government clients.”

Kristina Mihalic commented: “Norton Rose Fulbright has established enviable national government, regulatory and investigations teams that are the perfect fit for my public law practice. I am excited to be part of growing the firm’s presence in Canberra and for the opportunity to work alongside the firm’s diverse and accomplished partners in the broader national government and dispute resolution teams for the benefit of our clients.”

This announcement follows the appointment of partners Vanessa Ward (corporate M&A, Sydney) and Rohan Sridhar (technology, Melbourne) in January this year; and in 2024: Annie Haggar in September (cybersecurity, Canberra); Lisa Fitzgerald in April (technology, Melbourne); Bede Gahan in March (employment and labour, Canberra); Kimberley MacKay in February (regulatory and disputes, Melbourne); and Liz Hastilow (corporate and investment funds, Sydney); Kellie Link (restructuring, Perth), Maria Panos (litigation, Sydney) and Jacqueline Plant (environment and planning, Melbourne) in January.

This news story was originally published on the firm’s website.