Dr Kristina Stern SC was sworn in as a Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW and Judge of Appeal on June 8, 2023. Justice Stern's appointment is the first judicial appointment made by NSW Attorney General Michael Daley. Justice Stern has been a mentor with Minerva Network since 2020, mentoring Canoe Slalom athlete Noemie Fox, who is currently competing in Europe.
On the day of her appointment, Justice Stern shares HER STORY with Minerva Network.
I was born into a medical family – both my parents were doctors. I went to school in Melbourne then went to Melbourne University where I studied Law/Arts. I lived at Ormond College and loved college life – in particular the collegiality and support in a college environment. I was a cox of the women’s rowing eight and loved the early mornings down at the Yarra. Many of my lifelong friends come from my time at Ormond – in particular, from my rowing crews. After university I started work as an articled clerk at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks, now Allens.
After only about 18 months as a solicitor I went to Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge University on a scholarship to do my LLM (Masters in Law). I swiftly changed that to a Ph D – studying the ways in which laws had to adapt to deal with new technology using IVF as a paradigm. I was fortunate to get to travel a lot during my PhD, including short stints at the University of Chicago and the American Civil Liberties Union. At Cambridge I represented the university in cross-country running which was always great fun, and I was also the cox for the graduate college eight.
It was at Cambridge that I met Matthew, my husband, who was doing a PhD in physics at the same time as I was doing my PhD in law.
After Cambridge I moved to London and taught at King’s College London for four years. During that time Matthew and I got married at a small church in North Yorkshire. In 1996, when my eldest daughter Hannah was 3 months old I started as a pupil barrister at 39 Essex Street Chambers in London. Whilst there, in quite quick succession, I had Grace, Felix and Amy. In 2006 we all moved to Sydney and I took silk in NSW in 2011.
Throughout my career I have been the fortunate recipient of enormous support, both from men and women. When I started at the bar there were relatively few women in senior roles. But these women were invariably hugely supportive and it helped so much to be able to see women in senior roles, and to have their guidance and companionship. I have tried to ensure that I can pass on this gift, and am so delighted that my chambers here is so full of talented and brilliant women (and men, it has to be said). We are so unique in having around 25 women in chambers – and our women’s dinners are famous for “not having a bad seat in the house”.
Minerva is so important in its ability to pass on the experience and support of women to women in sport. I have loved the opportunities to meet and talk with my mentee Noemie Fox - she is so capable and assured. Minerva is such a great organisation – both for mentors and mentees.
Minerva Network Chairman Christine McLoughlin AM was proud to attend the NSW Supreme Court along with the NSW Governor, former supreme court judges, leaders of the NSW bar and family and friends. Christine stated: “This incredible acknowledgement of Kristina’s stellar legal career places her in a role with incredible responsibility in shaping our justice system. I am delighted to have been able to share this occasion with her. Like all of our Minerva Mentors, Kristina is so generous is sharing her time and experience with the next generation of leaders, our Minerva Athletes, and we wish her well as a Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW."
