The Office of Public Prosecutions is delighted to announce the appointment of Chief Crown Prosecutor Brendan Kissane KC as Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Kissane, who boasts over 40 years’ legal experience as solicitor (1980-85), counsel (1985 onwards) and senior counsel (2014 onwards), is one of the Australia’s most respected criminal lawyers, having appeared in and led numerous cases of legal significance before the Victorian Court of Appeal and the High Court over the course of his career.
Since March 2018, he has served as the state’s Chief Crown Prosecutor, and before this period spent over a decade appearing for the Crown in the roles of Senior Crown Prosecutor and Crown Prosecutor.
“I am very conscious of the great privilege that has been bestowed on me by this appointment,” Mr Kissane said.
“It has been an honour to serve as Chief Crown Prosecutor under Kerri Judd’s leadership, and I commit to upholding and guarding the independence of the Office of Director as she did.”
Prior to signing the bar roll, Mr Kissane worked as a senior solicitor for the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and in private practice. He also has extensive tribunal experience, having served as a member of the Refugee Review Tribunal for a period of seven years between 1995-2002.
On behalf of the OPP, outgoing DPP Kerri Judd KC and Solicitor for Public Prosecutions Abbey Hogan extended their sincere congratulations to Mr Kissane on his appointment.
“For several years, Brendan has ranked among the most distinguished criminal lawyers of the Victorian Bar,” Ms Judd said.
“We all admire his calmness, gracious intellect and prodigious capacity for work. He has shown outstanding leadership as Chief Crown Prosecutor, and I know it will be a pleasure watching him excel in this new role.”
Ms Hogan shared this sentiment, emphasising the Office had already had the benefit of Mr Kissane’s “exceptional professionalism and expertise” for 17 years.
“Notwithstanding Brendan’s inclination towards personal understatement, he has carved out admirable expertise in all areas of criminal law, including appellate law,” she said. “To this, he adds all the qualities required of a DPP: leadership, integrity, independence, fairness, wisdom, collegiality, a strong work ethic and a commitment to the proper administration of justice.”
Mr Kissane holds a Master of Laws, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, and his wider service activities include eight years as a Director of the Sentencing Advisory Council.