IR Legal Welcomes Katherine Hawes as Special Counsel

16 February 2026

IR Legal is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Hawes as Special Counsel, strengthening the firm’s depth of expertise across litigation, commercial, and advisory services.

Katherine is a highly experienced lawyer with more than 28 years of legal and business experience across a broad range of practice areas, including family law, property law, criminal law, defamation law, trademark law, employment law, commercial law, and litigation. She is recognised for delivering specialist legal solutions in complex civil disputes, commercial litigation, and sensitive matters involving reputational and estate issues combining deep technical knowledge with strategic, practical advocacy.

Katherine began her legal career in New South Wales as a Barrister, where she quickly developed a reputation for excellence across multiple practice areas. She has extensive experience representing clients in criminal proceedings and complex civil litigation, providing robust advocacy and tactical guidance to protect rights and achieve fair outcomes. Her commercial practice includes advising on business disputes, commercial contracts, and litigation, helping clients resolve matters efficiently while safeguarding their interests. She also brings significant experience in property disputes, defamation proceedings, and estate litigation where careful strategy and strong representation are essential.

Beyond practice, Katherine contributes actively to the profession through education and thought leadership. She has lectured at leading Australian universities and regularly speaks at industry events, reflecting her commitment to advancing legal knowledge and professional standards.

Katherine holds a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney, a Master of Maritime Law & Policy, and multiple governance, compliance, and investigative accreditations. Her professional involvement includes memberships with leading legal and governance organisations, alongside leadership roles within industry associations.

Known for her clarity, strategic vision, and dedication to her clients, Katherine is a respected voice within the Australian legal community. Her appointment reflects IR Legal’s continued commitment to delivering experienced, multidisciplinary legal support to individuals and organisations facing complex legal challenges.

We warmly welcome Katherine to IR Legal and look forward to the contribution she will make to our clients and the firm.

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