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VLA duo appointed to Magistrates' Court

Date : 02 Dec 2008

Two former Victoria Legal Aid lawyers were today appointed to the Magistrates' Court of Victoria.

Michelle Hodgson and Peter Mellas, along with Sharon Cure, were congratulated by Attorney-General Rob Hulls, who said the new appointments 'have the experience, expertise and talent to make excellent Magistrates'.

Ms Hodgson started her law career at Victoria Legal Aid before joining the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Fitzroy Legal Service. She also worked for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, and was a criminal law barrister for 10 years.

Mr Mellas was most recently a partner at Brugman Mellas Barristers and Solicitors where he specialised in criminal law.

Mr Hulls said Mr Mellas had extensive links to the Geelong legal community, including eight years as Deputy Solicitor in Charge and specialist trial lawyer at  Victoria Legal Aid's Barwon regional office in Geelong.

He has also been a volunteer and management committee member at Barwon Community Legal Service since the early 1990s.

'I congratulate Ms Hodgson, Mr Mellas  and Ms Cure on their appointments and I expect they will make a significant contribution to Victoria’s justice system in the years ahead,' Mr Hulls said.