Law Society congratulates Justice Stein on appointment as Chief Justice of South Australia
15 January 2026
The Law Society of South Australia congratulates The Honourable Justice Laura Stein on her appointment as Chief Justice of South Australia, effective from 19 February 2026.
Justice Stein has forged a reputation as a hard-working, astute, and erudite practitioner of the law, as well as a generous, innovative and effective leader. These characteristics make her an ideal choice for Chief Justice.
Justice Stein grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved with her family to Adelaide in 1978.
After completing law and economics degrees at the University of Adelaide, her Honour began her legal career as an associate to High Court Justice McHugh in 1990, before joining Fisher Jeffries the following year.
Her Honour’s swift elevation to Partnership reflected her enormous work ethic, professionalism and talent, traits well demonstrated throughout her career.
Her Honour also completed a Master of Laws while working as a solicitor.
Her Honour joined the Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO) in 2001, progressing to Crown Solicitor in 2020.
During that time, her Honour handled complex and important litigation. Her Honour was instrumental in modernising the CSO, having established the commercial litigation and major projects group within it and oversaw the digitisation of the office.
Some of the important matters her Honour was involved in during her time at the CSO included the coronial inquest into deaths caused by the Wangary bushfire, the Players v Clone litigation in the High Court, expert determinations into water pricing, and disputes relating to the construction of the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
After 13 months leading the CSO, her Honour was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2021.
The Law Society and the legal profession have every confidence that the administration of justice will be very well served under Justice Stein's stewardship as Chief Justice.
David Colovic
President
Law Society of South Australia