Dr Eamonn Kelly

Eamonn accepts briefs in administrative, commercial, criminal and common law. He is particularly passionate about areas of the law concerning the proper exercise of state authority, whether in civil or criminal contexts, judicial or executive.

Before coming to the Bar, Eamonn was Senior Associate to the Honourable Justice Ginnane in the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria, where he assisted in a wide range of common law, commercial law, and public and administrative law matters, in the Trial Division and Court of Appeal. He supported his Honour in his roles as joint Judge in Charge of the Judicial Review and Appeals List and Deputy Judge in Charge of the Taxation List.

Having previously worked in criminal defence, he retains a strong interest in matters involving corporate crime, offences against property, and cross-border criminal activity, as well as confiscation and proceeds of crime proceedings.

Eamonn completed a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne, specialising in Transnational and International Law. He received several subject prizes, including the Frank Galbally Memorial Prize and the Raynes Dickson Memorial Exhibition for Advocacy. He edited the Melbourne Journal of International Law and was research assistant to academics specialising in corporate governance, capital markets, corporate law and international criminal law.

Prior to entering the legal profession, Eamonn developed a broad public and private sector experience in academic research and teaching, management, journalism, design, marketing, and fundraising. For a decade, he worked as an independent business consultant for diverse clients, ranging from government agencies, think-tanks and not-for-profit organisations, to companies working in tourism, software programming, music services, and leadership training.

Eamonn has served as a board member and auditor for a wide range of cultural and social organisations and government agencies. He has received a number of industry awards, including an Australian Leadership Award from the Australian Davos Connection and a fellowship with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Alongside his legal qualifications, Eamonn holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford, as well as management and research masters qualifications and first class honours bachelor degrees in Arts and Music from the University of Melbourne.

Eamonn is reading with Simon McGregor and Paul Higham. His senior mentor is Neil Clelland QC.