.INTRODUCTION
Robert Cornall AO has over 40 years experience as a solicitor, a legal
administrator, a legal policy maker and in February 2010 commenced as a
commercial mediator with McFarlane Legal, Dispute Resolution,
During his 15 years as a partner of the firm now known as Middletons
(1972 – 1987), Rob had a wide ranging general practice with an emphasis
on commercial law, insurance, property development and wills and estate
planning.
He broadened his legal knowledge and experience in the fields of
professional representation and regulation as Executive Director and
Secretary of the Law Institute of Victoria (1987 - 1995), in legal
administration as Managing Director of Victoria Legal Aid (1995 – 2000)
and in the development and implementation of legal policy as Secretary of
the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department (2000 – 2008).
Rob was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2006 for
service to the community through contributions to the development of public
policy, particularly counter-terrorism arrangements in a changing global
security environment and through providing advice and governance across
a diverse range of responsibilities within the civil justice system.
ADMISSION
Admitted Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and of the High Court of
Australia in 1969. Subsequently also admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New
South Wales.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
YEARS EMPLOYED
CONSULTANT
McFarlane Legal Dispute Resolution 2010 to date
Advisor to several Federal Government agencies 2008 to date
SECRETARY
Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department 2000 to 2008
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Victoria Legal Aid 1995 to 2000
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY
Law Institute of Victoria 1987 to 1995
PARTNER
Oswald Burt & Co and Middletons Oswald Burt 1972 to 1987
SOLICITOR AND ASSOCIATE
Oswald Burt & Co 1969 to 1972
MEDIATION EXPERIENCE
Rob first conducted mediations during the Supreme Court’s drive to reduce the backlog of
cases awaiting trial in the Spring Offensive in the early 1990s.
Rob is accredited under the National Mediator Accreditation System.
He commenced with McFarlane Legal Dispute Resolution in February 2010 and has, since
then, mediated in a wide range of areas, including commercial disputes, contract law,
testator’s family maintenance, receivership debt recovery, sale of business and professional
negligence.
PRIMARY AREAS OF LEGAL PRACTICE
During his 19 years as an employee and partner of the firm now known as Middletons (1972 –
1987), Rob had a wide ranging general practice with an emphasis on commercial law,
insurance, property development and wills and estate planning.
OTHER LEGAL EXPERIENCE
In addition to his extensive experience as a legal practitioner, Rob brings a unique range of
experience in the development and administration of the law to McFarlane Legal Dispute
Resolution.
As Executive Director of the Law Institute of Victoria he was closely involved with all aspects
of the Institute’s representation of Victorian solicitors and, as Secretary, he was responsible
for the management of complaints against and discipline of Victorian practitioners.
When he was appointed the first Managing Director of Victoria Legal Aid, the statutory agency
which replaced the former Legal Aid Commission of Victoria, he was charged by both the
Australian and Victorian Governments with the significant task of restructuring the
organisation to bring its performance and achievements more closely into line with
government expectations.
Rob was Secretary of the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department during one
of the most dramatic and significant periods in the Department’s history since 1 January 1901.
As the portfolio department primarily responsible for national security, the Attorney-General’s
Department took the lead in many aspects of the Australian response to the terrorist attacks
in the United States on September 11, 2001 and on Australians in Bali one year later. In
addition, the Department greatly increased its range of activities and responsibilities across
many areas of law and government administration during Rob’s term as Secretary.
POSITIONS HELD
Independent Reviewer – Appointed by the Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard, MP to review
the Australian Intelligence Community with Associate Professor Rufus Black – 2011
Reviewer appointed by the Australian Government Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
to conduct a Study into Protecting Consumers, Business and the Community Online – 2011
Chair – Federal Court of Australia Audit Committee (2011 – 2014)
Chair – Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority Advisory Board 2009 – 2011
Acting Integrity Commissioner, Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity ( several
appointments)
Member – National Legal Profession Reform Consultative Group (2009 – 2010)
Independent Reviewer – General Insurance Code of Practice Review (June – November
2009)
Mentor, National Security Executive Development Pilot Program (October – November 2009)
Reviewer – undertaking a review of a significant national security issue for the Australian
Government Attorney-General and the National Security Committee of Cabinet (September
2008 – June 2009)
Chair – Heads of Commonwealth Operational Law Enforcement Agencies (HOCOLEA) 2000
– 2008
Chair – Australian Emergency Management Committee from commencement to 2008
Chair – Australian Government’s Review of Australia’s Counter-terrorism Arrangements,
October 2001
President – Institute of Public Administration Australia (ACT Division) 2002 – 2004
Member – Australian Government Secretaries Committee on National Security 2000 – 2008
Board member – Australian Crime Commission 2003 – 2008
Council member – National Judicial College of Australia 2002 – 2007
Member – Administrative Review Council 2000 – 2009
Trustee – Northcote Trust Fund 1980 – 2000
Councillor – Hawthorn Institute of Education 1984 – 1986
Director – Skilled Drivers of Australia Limited 1981 – 1993
AWARDS
Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2006 for service to the community
through contributions to the development of public policy, particularly counter-terrorism
arrangements in a changing global security environment and through providing advice and
governance across a diverse range of responsibilities within the civil justice system.
Centenary Medal
Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia
Certificate of Service for significant contribution to the legal profession and the Law Institute of
Victoria
