Dr Gary Rumble is one of Australia’s leading government and constitutional lawyers.  He advises Government on complex policy implementation, ‘litigation-proof’ decision-making, and on defending decisions being challenged.  He also acts for the private sector on dealings with Government.  Gary has held senior positions in Government including as Chief Counsel with the Cth Dept. of Human Services, and has been a partner with two major law firms.

He has been included in the Best Lawyers listings every year since their inception, and is currently recognised in four categories:

  • Constitutional Law
  • Government Practice
  • Public Law
  • Regulatory Practice.

Gary has led teams of lawyers advising and acting for Australian Government agencies on many matters including ‘litigation-proof’ decision-making, defending decisions under ADJR challenge, policy implementation and legislative design, and management and settling of claims.  He has worked across a range of portfolios including Defence, Health, Aviation, Environment, Immigration and Telecommunications, and has run matters in all States and Territories.

In 2009 – 2010 Gary was Chief Counsel with the Department of Human Services with general portfolio legal responsibilities and for the start-up of the merger of Centrelink, Medicare Australia and the Child Support Agency into the Department.

From 2014 – 2015 Gary was seconded as Special Counsel to the Department of the Environment advising on a broad range of matters.

Gary has also conducted some major inquiries for Ministers and Departments including the 2011-12 Review of allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence.

Gary is an Adjunct Professor of Government and Administrative Law at the University of Canberra. He has also held positions as lecturer in law at the Australian National University, Secretary to the Senate Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Assistant to the Commonwealth Solicitor‑General and Head Commonwealth Civil Litigation.

Gary was a founding National Executive member and is a former National President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law.  He has also served on the Law Council of Australia’s Federal Litigation, Administrative Law and Constitutional Law Committees and on an ACT Law Society Committee considering a Bill of Rights for the ACT.