Gerard Sammon

Special Counsel

Gerard has worked continuously in government law since 1985 and has represented clients in all Queensland courts, as well as the Land Court, the Federal Court, the Family Court and the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). He advises on statutory interpretation and conducts a range of litigation including judicial reviews.

Gerard’s particular interest is in development, application and interpretation of State and Commonwealth legislation. He regularly advises high-level government officers on complex matters, including advices on Queensland Government legislative proposals, constitutional matters and administrative law matters. He has advised the government on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and on the application of the Human Rights Act 2019.

Gerard has worked as legal advisor to the Commissioner of Police and was appointed Queensland’s first Assistant Information Commissioner in 1993, conducting mediations and external reviews under the Freedom of Information Act 1992. He also worked in the Queensland Transport and Main Roads legal office for eight years.

  • Working as lead lawyer and junior counsel for the Queensland Government in the Aged Care Royal Commission.
  • Working as lead lawyer and junior counsel for the Queensland Government in the New Generation Rollingstock Commission of Inquiry.
  • Appearing as counsel on the Marine Boards of Inquiry into a collision in the Whitsundays in 2002 and 'The Wunma' in 2007.
  • Negotiating, drafting and advising government on the Mango Hill/North Lakes project.
  • Assisting the government in the transport portfolio for over eight years with extensive advice on developing policy into legislation across the broad range of Acts and subordinate legislation, including its function as industry regulator.
  • Appearing as junior counsel to the Solicitor-General in several High Court constitutional matters.