He leads the newly elected 2026-2027 cohort of officers
Mark Costello KC has been announced as the president of the Victorian Bar Council for the 2026-2027 term.
He succeeds Fiona Ryan SC in the role. Costello leads a cohort of officers that includes vice presidents Albert Dinelli KC and Raini Zambelli; he is also supported by honorary treasurer Anthony Strahan KC and assistant honorary treasurer Ffyona Livingstone Clark.
The new executive was announced on Friday 6 November following the final meeting of the 2025-2026 Bar Council on Thursday 5 November. Costello praised his predecessor, describing Ryan as “an outstanding leader”.
“Throughout her time in office, she has brought confidence, dedication and good humour to the role. The Bar could not have asked for, nor found, a better person to lead it”, Costello wrote in the 6 November issue of the Victorian Bar’s In Brief announcement.
He also recognised outgoing bar council members Julian McMahon AC SC, Colin Mandy SC, Georgina Costello KC, Elizabeth Ruddle KC, Felicity Fox, Matthew Weinman and Michael Thomas.
“The Bar Council year has been one of significant achievement, including supervising an extensive education program, upholding the ethical practice of barristers, informing policy submissions, advancing member wellbeing initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and administering the pro bono program”, she wrote.
Shortly before the end of her term as president, Ryan criticised the Victorian government’s decision to cap fees paid to barristers briefed on government matters, noting that it would disproportionately affect women barristers and could affect litigation outcomes for the state.
In addition to the 2026-2027 officers, the Bar Council welcomed the following new members:
Counsel who are KC, SC or junior counsel and who are of not less than 15 years’ standing:
Counsel who are junior counsel and who are of not less than six years’ standing and of not more than 15 years’ standing:
Counsel who are junior counsel and who are of less than six years’ standing:
