10 July 2026
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Niamh Lenagh-Maguire, who has been promoted to the role of Deputy Chief Solicitor – Constitutional Litigation in the Office of General Counsel (OGC).
Niamh joined AGS in 2006 and has been a Senior Executive Lawyer since 2021. A key practitioner in OGC's constitutional litigation practice, Niamh led the Constitutional Litigation Unit from 2022 to 2025 and has extensive experience managing significant, complex and precedential constitutional litigation for the Commonwealth, particularly in the High Court of Australia. She is highly regarded across the Commonwealth as an expert in constitutional and public law.
Following the Secretary's announcement, Justine Knowles said:
"Niamh has made an outstanding contribution to AGS's constitutional litigation practice over many years. She is widely respected for her technical excellence and leadership and has played a central role in some of the Commonwealth's most significant constitutional matters.
She has also led the Constitutional Litigation Unit with great skill and care, building a strong, collaborative team and guiding AGS's response in complex, high-risk matters, including following the High Court's decision in NZYQ.
This is a very well-deserved appointment. I know Niamh will make an outstanding contribution in her new role."
Our AGS SES Band 2 Deputy Chief Solicitor plays a critical role in leading complex, significant and often precedential matters for Commonwealth clients, while providing strategic leadership across AGS. We congratulate Niamh on this well-deserved appointment and wish her every success in her new role.