WA has appointed its first female Solicitor-General, with Jean Shaw SC stepping into the State’s top legal advocacy role.

Shaw brings more than two decades at the State Solicitor’s Office, where she spent 23 years advising government and appearing in complex, politically sensitive litigation across all levels of court.

Her career at the SSO has included roles as Acting State Counsel, Adviser to the State Counsel, and Senior Assistant State Counsel, before her appointment as State Counsel in November 2024. She was also the first woman to hold that position.

Shaw has appeared as counsel in matters spanning constitutional, administrative, criminal and regulatory law, including the State’s successful High Court defence of constitutional challenges to the Iron Ore Processing (Mineralogy Pty Ltd) Agreement Amendment Act 2020.

She has also played a senior leadership role within the SSO’s counsel section and, since 2023, has served as the SSO’s nominated Commissioner on the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia.

Attorney-General Tony Buti said Shaw’s appointment marked a significant milestone for the State and reflected her distinguished public law career.

“Ms Shaw performed with distinction at the State Solicitor’s Office, where she advised government on complex issues across a wide range of matters,” he said, adding she is “eminently qualified” to serve in the constitutional role.

Source: WA Government