Marilyn Warren


Marilyn Louise Warren is a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, Australia.

Early life

Warren grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Sandringham, and was educated at the Kilbreda Convent in Mentone. She later studied law at Monash University, graduating B.Juris and LL.B. in 1973 and 1974 respectively and Master of Laws in 1983. In April 2004, she was made an honorary Doctor of Laws by Monash University. Warren was a champion squash player, winning the University's women's championship ten years in a row. She also represented the State of Victoria three times, in a team which won the Australian championships three years running.

Professional career

Warren completed her articles of clerkship with a solicitor for the Government of Victoria as the first female articled clerk in public service in Victoria. After her admission to practise in 1975, Warren worked as a solicitor in the government sector until 1985, during which time she served as Deputy Secretary of the Law Department of Victoria, and was a senior policy adviser to three attorneys-general of Victoria, namely Haddon Storey QC, John Cain and Jim Kennan SC. She was called to the Victorian Bar in 1985 and practiced as a barrister in areas such as commercial and administrative law. From 1986 to 1994, Warren was a member of the Law Reform Committee of the Victorian Bar. On 25 November 1997, Warren was appointed a QC.

Judicial office

On 13 October 1998, Warren was appointed a judge in the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria. A representative of the Victorian Bar, giving Warren the customary welcome to new judges, said "We at the Bar look forward to the days of the Warren Supreme Court in this State," alluding to the high reputation of the Supreme Court of the United States under Earl Warren, and recognising Warren's own talent. As a judge, Warren presided over cases in all of the court's lists, but particularly the Commercial List, of which she was the judge in charge from 2000.
Warren was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on 25 November 2003. She is the first female chief justice in any of the states and territories of Australia. At her ceremonial welcome to that office, the Attorney-General of Victoria, Rob Hulls, recognised Warren's work in advocating equality of opportunity for women lawyers, and described her as "an eminent jurist, will be an unparalleled and inspirational leader of this Court." Warren retired on 1 October 2017, and was succeeded by Anne Ferguson.
Warren was also Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, President of the Victorian Law Foundation, Chair of the Judicial College of Victoria, Chair of the Council of Legal Education, Chair of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Chair of the Courts Council of Victoria and Chair of the Judicial Commission of Victoria.

Academic career

In January 2018, Warren was appointed a Vice-Chancellor's Professorial Fellow at Monash University, Victoria, Australia.

Honours

Leading cases or judgements handed down by Warren include:
Warren chooses to ride a bicycle to work when she can, despite the fact that her job comes with a chauffeur, and she is a regular bushwalker. She is also apparently known for playing Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture at high volume while travelling between courts.