Michelle Gordon

"My appointment as a Justice of the High Court of Australia is exciting but I am very well aware that large challenges lie ahead. The work of the Court is relentless and, inevitably, comprises the truly hard cases. That combination presents both the challenges and the rewards of the tasks that lie ahead."

"Be yourself. You are who you are, and you have much to give in whatever you are doing."

"I agreed to present a course on tax litigation with The Hon. Ken Jenkinson QC and Tony Pagone QC (as he then was). As a junior practitioner, it was daunting teaching with such senior practitioners."

"After just a few years, I commenced to teach the course, and still do, with Simon Steward QC and Ms Lisa Hespe."

"It has been fascinating creating and teaching a new course. I learn far more than I teach… Teaching has its own challenges. Trying to pass on to others the knowledge, skills, and techniques necessary to an understanding of a particular area of the law is itself an education. And there is always the pleasure when you see that a student understands the point you are trying to make."

"Hard work and application remain as important as they have always been. I have enjoyed my time as a practising lawyer, barrister, teacher, and judge. In the end, it is dealing and interacting with others —clients, junior barristers at the bar, participants in the Indigenous lawyers program, my associates, and my students — from whom I have learned and benefitted that has been the most rewarding. You always learn more from those you interact with."

"Justice Gordon is keen to embrace the challenges of working as a High Court Judge, following her recent appointment."

"Justice Gordon is just the fifth woman appointed to the Court in its 112-year history, joining The Hon. Susan Mary Kiefel AC and The Hon. Virginia Bell, making a total of three women on the High Court bench."

"From the outset, her teaching has been extraordinarily popular and is very well received by students each year. With two such significant judges teaching the subject, there are a lot of legal professionals who want to take it, to hear what Justice Gordon and Justice Hayne have to say about statutory interpretation."

"Justice Gordon's dedicated work ethic and commitment to advancing legal education at the highest level meant that her involvement with Melbourne Law School has only increased with time."