Christopher
McDermott

Christopher has a broad general civil law practice, with particular expertise in:

• Administrative law (judicial review and merits review)
• Employment and industrial law, anti-discrimination law and human rights
• Workplace investigations 
• Privacy, freedom of information, confidentiality, public interest immunity, the law of privilege, and general civil procedure (such as dealing with subpoena and discovery)
• Disciplinary proceedings (professional, university, sports) 
• Royal Commissions, public inquiries and coronial inquests
• Intentional torts (malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, assault/battery)
• Class actions
• Directors’ duties, and the law of associations (particularly for Not-for-Profit charitable organisations)

Christopher regularly advises, and appears for, Federal and State Government departments and agencies, the private sector, Universities and non-government organisations. 

Prior to coming to the Bar, Christopher was a Senior Lawyer at the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), representing a diverse array of Commonwealth departments and agencies in superior courts and tribunals. Prior to joining the AGS, Christopher was Senior Associate to the Hon John Faulks, Deputy Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia. 

Christopher is the Co-Chair of the Victorian Bar’s LGTBIQ Working Group, and is a member of the Australian Bar Association's Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

Christopher is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has extensive experience as a Board Director in the Not-for-Profit sector, including as a director with:

• Pride Community Legal Centre Ltd (Deputy Chair since 2021)
• Relationship Matters Counselling and Mediation (since 2021)
• Mental Health Victoria Ltd (2019 to present; Deputy Chair since 2021)
• Advocacy & Rights Centre Ltd (Loddon Campaspe and Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centres and Housing Justice) (2019 to 2021)
• Vice President of the Victorian AIDS Council / Gay Men’s Health Centre (trading as Thorne Harbour Health) (2013 to 2019)

Christopher read with Catherine Symons (now Judge Symons of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia).  His senior mentor is Jenny Firkin QC.

From 5 May 2017, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.