Welcome Dianna Gleeson, Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor

We are pleased to welcome Dianna Gleeson to VGSO as our new Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor, Litigation and Dispute Resolution Branch.

Dianna joins VGSO with extensive experience leading legal teams across the Victorian public sector and a deep understanding of government legal practice developed over more than two decades.

"It's fabulous to return to VGSO - it holds such a crucial role for the legal memory of the State - and I've enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues in VGSO and the public sector"

Most recently, Dianna served as General Counsel at Gellung Warl, which includes the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, where she was a member of the Executive Leadership Team and led legal and risk practitioners advising on a range of complex and significant matters. During her time there, she oversaw the legal transition from the First Peoples’ Assembly to Gellung Warl, supporting the establishment of the statutory body and leading the associated corporate and legal compliance work.

Reflecting on that role, Dianna says "it was an incredible experience working alongside Victorian Traditional Owners at the Assembly while the first Statewide Treaty was negotiated, and leading the legal work for the transition of that body to the statutory corporation Gellung Warl".

Prior to this role, Dianna was Director of Legal Practice at Victoria Legal Aid, where she led large multidisciplinary teams and championed reform initiatives focused on strengthening accountability, enhancing decision-making frameworks, and improving consistency and quality across legal services.

Outside of work, Dianna enjoys the usual things Melbourne has to offer - eating out, walking in nature or through the inner city, the arts, pilates and yoga. "I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and my pets (cat and dog, won't confess which is the favourite), and I love to travel when I have the chance" she says.

For many staff, Dianna will be a familiar face. Between 2002 and 2019, she built a distinguished career at VGSO, joining as a Solicitor and progressing to Managing Principal Solicitor in 2013. During that time, she worked across the Constitution and Advice Branch and both specialist and generalist Litigation and Dispute Resolution teams, gaining broad experience advising and representing government clients.

Acting Victorian Government Solicitor Carol Orfanos said Dianna's extensive experience makes her an outstanding addition to the leadership team.

"Dianna's appointment is a significant addition to VGSO's leadership team. She has built a strong career leading legal services across the Victorian public sector and brings a wealth of experience managing complex and high-profile legal matters. Her deep understanding of government, commitment to excellence and proven leadership will strengthen the services we provide to our clients and support the continued success of our organisation." says Carol.

Please join us in welcoming Dianna back to VGSO and wishing her every success in her new role. We look forward to the experience, leadership and perspective she will bring to the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Branch and the broader organisation.