The Hon Shaun Brendan McELWAINE

Judge, Federal Court of Australia: 24.01.2022
Location: Melbourne

Justice McElwaine was appointed to the Federal Court on 24 January 2022.

Justice McElwaine graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce in 1983. He attained his Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice from the Australian National University in 1984.

Justice McElwaine was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in 1984. In 1987, Justice McElwaine was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Justice McElwaine began his career as a Legal Officer at the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in 1984. In 1988 he commenced as an employee of Zeeman, Kable and Page Barristers and Solicitors and was later made a partner of the firm. In 1996 he commenced his own practice.

Justice McElwaine was appointed Senior Counsel in 2013. He specialised in commercial disputes, professional negligence, corporations law, insolvency, insurance, equity, trusts, judicial review of administrative decisions and planning and environmental law.

Justice McElwaine was the Principal at Shaun McElwaine + Associates.

Associateship applications

Justice McElwaine appoints two Associates, generally for a period of 18 months each.

Justice McElwaine is currently taking applications for an Associate commencing in June 2026.

His Honour welcomes those interested to apply by 30 September 2025. Applications should be made to Associate.McElwaineJ@fedcourt.gov.au and should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae and an academic transcript.

Updated 12 August 2025