Trailblazing Women of Law in W e s t e r n A u s t r a l ia
Leading the Way
2016 2019
Larissa Strk is the first woman to be appointed Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court.
Gail Sutherland is the first woman appointed Chief Judge of the Family Court of WA.
Justice Larissa Strk The first woman to be appointed Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court of Western Australia Justice Strk was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1998, after completion of articles of clerkship at Dwyer Durack. From 2011 to 2016, Justice Strk was a Partner in the Perth Dispute Resolution Group of King & Wood Mallesons where she specialised in commercial litigation. In 2016 Justice Strk was appointed as the Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court of Western Australia – the first woman to be appointed in that role. She also performed the role of Acting Master in that time. Justice Strk was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2021.
Why did your Honour choose law? As a student I was an avid reader and drawn to the arts. I enjoyed both writing and debating and I was encouraged by several teachers who thought that a career in law, journalism or teaching might suit me. My family had no connection to law. No doubt, mine was not an unusual experience as a child and grandchild
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of migrants. My family did not expect a lawyer. Their only expectations of me were that I would conduct myself honestly, that I would work hard and that I would run hard at every opportunity afforded to me. While studying, I worked part time, found work experience opportunities and later clerkships and research roles. Each experience, albeit different, firmed my resolve to be a part of this profession.
What does your Honour regard as the proudest achievement of your career? I am deeply honoured by the appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court. I acknowledge that my appointment in 2016 as the Principal Registrar of the Supreme Court afforded me an extraordinary opportunity for development and growth. I also thoroughly enjoyed my time as a partner of King & Wood Mallesons. On reflection, apart from my family, the privilege of working with many talented junior lawyers over the years has brought me the most joy. I have always felt that the employment of a law clerk, graduate, junior lawyer or associate is something of a sacred trust. It comes with an obligation to train, mentor and encourage as, from my own experience and observation, a junior lawyer’s experience of the profession is almost wholly shaped by their early interactions with their principal and the senior members of their team. I believe that investing in junior members of the profession is no sacrifice. I have gained energy and insight from working with dynamic and enthusiastic young
