Dean and Head of Law School appointed

A world-renowned expert in family and health law, Professor Fiona Kelly, has been appointed Head of La Trobe University’s Law School and is the first to hold the title of Dean and Head of School.

Provost, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Commerce, Professor Simon Evans, congratulated Professor Kelly on her achievement.

“I warmly congratulate Professor Fiona Kelly – one of our eminent legal scholars – on her well-deserved appointment as the next leader of La Trobe’s Law School,” Professor Evans said.

“Professor Kelly brings both her brilliant record as a legal researcher and her leadership skills to this important role. La Trobe Law School has a proud tradition of high impact socio-legal research, which earned it a rating of above world standard in the Excellence in Research for Australia 2018 exercise, and teaching programs informed by a commitment to social justice. Professor Kelly is a perfect fit to take the School to new heights.”

Professor Kelly said she was delighted to have been appointed as Dean and Head of La Trobe’s Law School.

“I am excited at the prospect of leading a team of extraordinarily talented researchers and teachers as the Law School makes advances in some new and exciting areas of legal scholarship, while maintaining our long-standing commitment to social justice” Professor Kelly said.

“I also look forward to helping ensure our Law and Criminology students experience an academically rigorous program with plenty of practical opportunities for learning, leading to exciting careers in established and emerging fields.”

Professor Kelly has been a member of the La Trobe Law School since 2013 and is currently a Professor in the School and Director of the Centre for Health Law and Society. She previously served as Director of Research and in other roles in the School.

Educated at the University of Melbourne and the University of British Columbia, Professor Kelly is a national and international expert in the fields of family law and health law, with a particular expertise in the legal regulation of assisted reproduction.

She is on the Board of the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority and is Editor of the Australian Journal of Family Law.

Professor Kelly will commence in the role in February 2020.

Media contact: Claire Bowers, 0437 279 903, c.bowers@latrobe.edu.au