Patron - The Honourable Justice Patrick Keane AC

The UQLA is honoured to have as its patron The Hon Justice Patrick Keane AC.

Justice Keane is one of the most distinguished graduates of the UQ Law School.

His Honour graduated from the Law School with a Bachelor of Laws, with First Class Honours, and a University Medal in 1976.

He then undertook post-graduate study at Magdalen College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Civil Laws and being awarded the Vinerian Scholarship.

After returning to Queensland, his Honour commenced practice at the Bar, assisting the Law School as a part-time lecturer in law.

His Honour was appointed to the ranks of Queen’s Counsel in 1988 and became the Solicitor-General for the State of Queensland in 1992.

In 2005, Justice Keane was appointed a Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland. 

In 2010, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.

In 2011, Justice Keane was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Queensland.

In 2013, he was appointed a Justice of the High Court of Australia – the fourth graduate of the Law School to be appointed to the Court.