MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday 25 May 2023

The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS) congratulates Keisha Hopgood on her appointment as a Magistrate of the NSW Local Court.

Ms Hopgood’s appointment was announced on Thursday by Attorney General Michael Daley. She will be sworn in 6 June.

“Keisha has been an integral member of the ALS team since 2017, serving in a variety of leadership roles including Acting Principal Legal Officer over the past few months,” said Karly Warner, ALS CEO.

“Keisha's contribution to the ALS, to the profession and to Aboriginal communities is enormous. Keisha has earned the overwhelming respect of all who are fortunate to work with her, be represented by her and live alongside her,” Ms Warner said.

Ms Hopgood has always had a strong professional interest in children's legal issues. She began her career at the Children’s Legal Service at Legal Aid NSW, where she was in practice from 2009-2017 representing children and young people in criminal proceedings, the former Youth Drug and Alcohol Court, and in the parole jurisdiction.

She first joined the ALS as Deputy Principal Solicitor. As the Managing Solicitor, Children’s Criminal Practice, Ms Hopgood was instrumental in developing and expanding the state-wide specialist Children’s Criminal Law Practice. During her time at the ALS, she has also served as the Acting Principal Solicitor of the Criminal Law Practice; Principal Solicitor of Justice Projects, Policy and Practice; and Acting Principal Legal Officer.

Ms Hopgood is currently the Deputy Chair of the Law Society of NSW Children’s Legal Issues Committee. She has also been a member of the Law Society’s Indigenous Issues Committee; the Children’s Court Advisory Committee; the DCJ Short Term Remand Steering Committee, Bail Act Monitoring Group and Justice Advocacy Service Working Group; the Walama List Working Group; and the Bugmy Bar Book Project Committee.

ENDS

Media contact: Alyssa Robinson - [email protected] - 0427 346 017