Home / Barristers / Kate Eastman AM SC

Kate Eastman AM SC

Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws (1990) - University of NSW
Master of Laws (Distinction) (1991) - University College London
Master of Laws (1997) - University of Technology Sydney
Diploma of International Human Rights Law (1999) - European University Institute, Florence, Italy

Shortlist

Admitted to the Bar 1998

Appointed Senior Counsel 2012

Experience

Kate has over 30 years’ experience in dispute resolution and advocacy in a wide range of employment disputes, all aspects of sexual harassment, discrimination and vilification law (employment, services, education, transport and media), public law, education and health law. She is a recognised expert in human rights law (international and Australia).

She appears in the High Court, Federal Court, Federal Circuit Court, Fair Work Commission, Industrial Relations Commission and State/Territory tribunals in trials and appeals in matters arising under the Fair Work Act and all Federal/State/Territory discrimination laws. She is instructed by individuals, Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and agencies, for multi-national and Australian ASX 200 corporations, partnerships and small business in a range of matters including internal compliance audits, internal grievance and disciplinary procedures, mediation, advisory work and litigation.

Kate regularly appears in mediation and conciliation of all complex and multi-party disputes. She acts as an independent investigator and mediator.

Kate is currently Senior Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

Kate is also an experienced teacher. She is a Senior Fellow of the Faculty of Law, Monash University where she has taught a range of post-graduate international and Australian human rights laws courses. She has also taught short courses on human rights in Myanmar and Uganda.

Kate appears as a panellist on The Drum on ABC from time to time.

In 2021, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the law, to human rights and to professional organisations.

Principal Areas of Practice

  • Arbitrators / Mediators
  • Commercial Law See all +Close -
    • Administrative Law
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution
    • Communications
    • International Law
    • Partnership disputes
    • Restraint of trade
  • Common Law See all +Close -
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Industrial/Employment See all +Close -
    • Civil and Human Rights
    • Disciplinary Proceedings
    • Government Inquiries
    • Health Law
    • Restraint of trade
    • Work, Health and Safety Prosecutions
  • Inquests and Inquiries See all +Close -
    • Commissions of Inquiry
  • Public and Administrative Law See all +Close -
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution
    • Appellate
    • Constitutional Law
    • Disciplinary Proceedings
    • Health Law
    • Judicial review and administrative law
    • Merits review
    • Public law
  • Mediator

Sectors

Defence, Government, Healthcare, Transport and Infrastructure, Technology, Media & Telecommunications,

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The 2025 Best Lawyers edition has been announced and New Chambers has 18 of our members recognised. The Lawyer of the Year awards for…

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Best Lawyers 2024

The Best Lawyers for 2024 have just been announced and New Chambers is delighted to have 19 of its members listed. This year we…

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The New South Wales Bar Association Bar Council for 2023 election results have been announced. New Chambers congratulates Kate Eastman AM SC and Catherine…

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Best Lawyers 2023

The recently announced Best Lawyers for 2023 included 19 of our New Chambers barristers. This year we had an extra 4 barristers newly listed…

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2022 Bar Council

The New South Wales Bar Association have recently announced the Bar Council members for 2022. Kate Eastman AM SC and Catherine Gleeson from New…

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2021 Bar Council

The New South Wales Bar Association recently announced the results for the election of the 2021 Bar Council. Kate Eastman SC and Catherine Gleeson…

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2020 Bar Council

Congratulations to Kate Eastman SC, Catherine Gleeson and Sonia Tame who have been elected to New South Wales Bar Association Bar Council for 2020.

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Best Lawyers 2020

The following members of New Chambers have been recognised in the 12th edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia.   Alternative Dispute Resolution David Jackson…

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