Historically influential people

The Board acknowledges our luminaries, members who have made particularly selfless, sustained and significant voluntary contribution to the organisation.

Margaret Halsmith AM

Margaret Halsmith served as the Chair of Resolution Institute from 2007 to 2017. Her numerous achievements during this period include completing two integrations – one between LEADR and LEADR NZ (2013) and one between LEADR and IAMA (2015), growing membership from 1600 to about 3200 and making the financial health of the organisation more robust.

Michael Klug AM

Michael Klug was the Founding Vice-Chair from 1989 to 1995, Chair in 1996 and a Director from 1989-2001. Michael created the name LEADR – Lawyers Engaged in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Michael's well-known view that lawyers should embrace alternative dispute resolution contributed to him being honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia.

Alan Limbury

Alan Limbury was a Founding Director until 1995 and the second Chair of LEADR in 1992-93. Alan saw that lawyers needed education in alternative dispute resolution and promoted alternative dispute resolution extensively. Alan was instrumental in opening membership to non-lawyers.

Michael Mills

Michael Mills was Chair from 2003 until 2007, a Director between 1996 and 2009 and a founding member of the WA Chapter. A leading commercial lawyer, Michael helped forge a close and dynamic relationship within the Board and with the CEO. Michael kept the organisation contemporary at a time of change and invigorated its altruistic approach.

Gerald Raftesath

Gerald Raftesath was the Founding Chair from 1989 until 1991, in 1995, 2000 and 2002. He was a Director for 10 ½ years during the period 1989-2003. A leading commercial litigator with an outstanding reputation, Gerald’s commitment to the philanthropic objectives gave the organisation enormous credibility.

Oscar Shub

Oscar Shub was the Chair from 1997-99, as well as being a Director from 1995 to 2000. Before this, he was the inaugural Chair of the WA Chapter, bringing experience from South Africa that was at that time ahead of Australia.

Former patrons who have contributed to the growth of Resolution Institute:

The Hon. Sir Ian Barker QC

The Hon. Sir Ian Barker QC was a Judge of the High Court of New Zealand for more than 20 years and was knighted in 1995. As Patron of Resolution Institute between 1997 to 2018 Sir Ian championed mediation and dispute resolution in New Zealand.

Sir Laurence Street AC, KCMG, KStJ, QC

Sir Laurence Street AC, KCMG, KStJ, QC was a Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales, and a Companion of the Order of Australia. As Resolution Institute’s Patron Sir Laurence influenced the acceptance of alternative dispute resolution by the judicial and wider legal .

Read more about our Ambassadors who have promoted dispute resolution and fostered awareness of Resolution Institute.

The Resolution Institute Ambassador, an honorary role, acknowledges a person of professional stature, who:

• promotes the use of dispute resolution
• fosters awareness of Resolution Institute as the leading dispute resolution membership and advocacy organisation in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ambassadors are active for Resolution Institute by presenting to local groups of members, speaking at conferences, presenting webinars and presenting to wider audiences.

We do not currently have an active Ambassador. Our previous Ambassadors (earlier known as Fellows) are:

The Honourable Wayne Martin AC QC — 2019–20

The Honourable Wayne Martin AC QC was Chief Justice of Western Australia between 2006 and his retirement from the bench in July 2018. Prior to his appointment he practised at the Western Australian Bar in the field of commercial litigation, mainly involving disputes in the mining, energy, resources, construction and financial sectors. His practice included international and domestic arbitration. As Chief Justice he created and managed the Arbitration List of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, and he has published many decisions in that field (and others). He is a qualified and experienced mediator. Since leaving the Bench he is taking appointments as a mediator and arbitrator.

Ian Govey — 2016–18

Ian was the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) following some years as CEO of the AGS. Prior to that, Ian was the Deputy Secretary, Civil Justice and Legal Services in the Attorney-General’s Department. In 2015 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his leadership in the provision of government legal services and for significant service to public administration and to the law.

Ian has also been a board member of the Australasian Legal Information Institute and a director of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA). He also contributed significantly to the work of the National ADR Advisory Council (NADRAC) in Australia.

Annabel Shaw — 2016–18

Annabel Shaw, a private mediator and previous adjunct lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Law, has extensive experience and knowledge of both DR theory and practice. Annabel has practised across a wide range of processes as a provider and lawyer, including mediation, restorative justice, conciliation, arbitration and litigation. She has researched and taught a broad range of DR topics including DR theory and skills, conflict management, and mediation advocacy. She has also held roles in DR policy, management and governance.

Professor Laurence — 2013-2016

Professor Laurence Boulle commenced as the then LEADR Fellow in 2013 in recognition of his significant contribution to dispute resolution. During his term, Laurence presented to chapters and other local groups of members on ‘’Minding the gaps in dispute resolution”.

Tom Howe QC — 2011–12

Tom Howe QC, Chief Counsel Dispute Resolution at the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) became the Fellow for 2011−2012 in June 2011.

Geoff Sharp — 2009–11

Innovative and dynamic mediator Geoff Sharp was a key speaker at ’kon gres 2009 and presented at Chapter events throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Joanna Kalowski — 2006–07

A lively and energetic alternative dispute resolution practitioner and champion, Joanna became the Chair of the then LEADR in 1996 and facilitated mediation training contributing enormously to establishing the excellent reputation of the organisation.

The Honourable Tony Fitzgerald — 2005–06

Inaugural Fellow The Honourable Tony Fitzgerald was a Judge in the Federal Court of Australia from November 1981 to June 1985 and presided over the Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption in the Queensland Government from 1987 to 1989.

Founding Members of IAMA (then known as The Institute of Arbitrators Australia):

John Lewis Doust

Emile Joseph McMahon

Peter Joseph Bryant

Grandison Cullis Hill

Robert Alec Eggleston

Richard Butterworth

Founding Members of LEADR:

Gerald Raftesath

Michael Klug AM

Alan Limbury

Harold Werksman

Michael Pickering

Bernard Jones

John Faulks