Former Bendigo solicitor Fran Medina has been appointed as a magistrate to the Victorian Magistrates’ Court, becoming the third woman with Bendigo ties to assume the role since 2009.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Medina follows the footsteps of fellow lawyers Stella Stuthridge (appointed in 2009) and Megan Aumair (2015).
Ms Medina, who has more than 26 years’ experience in family law, as well as commercial, property and general litigation, practiced in Bendigo throughout the 2000s.
She worked at a number of firms, including Arnold Dallas & McPherson, whose principal John McPherson lauded Ms Medina’s professional approach.
He said the areas Ms Medina specialised in, including when she moved to Mildura, would naturally lead toward the role she now occupies.
Mr McPherson said Ms Medina was an approachable, kind and hard-working solicitor.
Ms Medina has also worked as a Legal Aid Panel Solicitor for family law and family violence, and she has been the owner and principal solicitor of Mildura’s Medina Legal since 2012.
She has worked as a solicitor for the Mallee District Aboriginal Service and the Murray Valley Aboriginal Service, and is a current Director of the Mallee Accommodation Support Program.
Related: Lawyer's new role
Ms Medina and Shepparton-based lawyer Rodney Higgins were appointed to the court this week.
Attorney-General Martin Pakula said: “They are both respected solicitors in their communities, and have a proven ability to navigate complex and sensitive legal issues.”