Matthew Hocking
I am nominating for re-election to the LIV Board because I believe deeply in the role of the profession in advancing justice, supporting communities, and creating opportunities for lawyers to thrive. Having served as a Director since March 2025, I have seen firsthand how vital the Law Institute of Victoria is in shaping the future of the profession and ensuring our members are supported in an evolving environment.
I am the Victorian Government Solicitor, and lead the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (VGSO) as the primary legal advisor to the government and public sector agencies, including the Attorney-General, Ministers, and Secretaries.
I have expertise in civil litigation and dispute resolution (including personal injury), administrative decision making and review, public sector governance and integrity, interpretation and development of legislation, commercial litigation, and policing and emergency management, and have extensive experience across both the public and private sectors.
I first joined the VGSO in September 2018 as Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor (Litigation and Dispute Resolution) and was appointed Acting Victorian Government Solicitor in December 2019 and formally appointed Victorian Government Solicitor in November 2020.
I have previously held senior executive roles at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), overseeing legal, health, and disability divisions and leading large multidisciplinary teams. My background also includes roles in private legal practice, including in regional Victoria, commercial insurance, and in banking and finance in both legal and non-legal roles.
I was admitted to practice in 2000, and hold a Master of Business Administration from the University of Melbourne (Melbourne Business School) and a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University.
I am motivated to serve because I want to see the profession strengthened for the future. Lawyers face real challenges – rising costs of practice, changing client expectations, technological disruption, and increasing wellbeing pressures. I believe the LIV must be a strong, trusted voice for members, one that not only supports lawyers in their day-to-day practice but also advocates for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient profession.
I bring to the Board skills in governance, financial management, strategy, and risk, but also a people-focused leadership style grounded in trust and collaboration. Across my career, I have shown that lasting change comes from combining strong systems with a genuine focus on people.
As a Director, I will continue to advocate for initiatives that improve lawyer wellbeing, support career pathways across metropolitan, suburban, and regional practice, and embrace innovation to keep the profession at the forefront of change. I want every member to feel the LIV is their organisation – one that represents them, and creates opportunities for them to succeed.
It would be an honour to continue serving the LIV Board and to contribute to building a profession that is resilient, inclusive, and equipped for the future.
Category: Member Director
Year admitted as an Australian Lawyer: 2000
Firm Name & Address: Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (VGSO)
Level 25, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Proposer: Sara Elizabeth Dennis
Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, Level 25, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Seconder: William Francis Yates
Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, Level 25, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
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