Jane Hodder

Ms Jane Hodder has been practicing in commercial real estate and development, infrastructure and construction for more than 30 years.

She graduated from Monash University in 1991 with Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Laws after completing six years at the University and commenced her articles in Melbourne with Freehill Hollingdale and Page in 1991. Following that, Ms Hodder was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1992 and became a partner at Freehills in 1999. In June 2022 Ms Hodder was appointed as Managing Partner, Melbourne with Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF).

Ms Hodder has had a very rich and rewarding career to date, working on some very high profile and complex projects including Melbourne City Link, all Lendlease’s mixed use developments at Victoria Harbour and Melbourne Quarter at Docklands, various new office tower developments and refurbishments in Collins Street plus a number of important social and affordable housing projects, just to name a few.

Ms Hodder was a member of the Australian Freehills Board when the decision was made 10 years ago to merge with the London based firm Herbert Smith. This merger is now regarded as one of the most successful global law firm mergers to have occurred to date.

Ms Hodder is especially committed to diversity and inclusion, holding the role of Co-Global Diversity and Inclusion Partner Head for several years following the Freehills /Herbert Smith merger in 2012. Following the merger she was also a member of the HSF Global Council where she drove the introduction of gender targets which has had a significant impact on the progression and partnership promotions for women lawyers at HSF.

Since leaving Monash, Ms Hodder has really enjoyed her ongoing connection with the University through chairing the Monash Law School Foundation Board until 2015 and being a member of the External Professional Advisory Committee to the Dean of the Monash Law School since its inception.

In addition to her various roles at HSF, Ms Hodder has held a number of Board positions including chairing the Centre for Contemporary Photography up to 2019 and is currently Deputy Chair of the Queen Victoria Market Board, Deputy Chair of the Committee for Melbourne, Chair of St Catherines’ School and a member of the Mirvac Melbourne Advisory Group which advises the Mirvac CEO, senior leadership team and Board.

Ms Hodder is staunchly committed to and passionate about the development of the next generation of commercial lawyers; mentoring female lawyers from junior to the more senior and experienced as their careers progress and her involvement in the broader business community with her Board work. Ms Hodder enjoys spending time with her family (Murray, Lindsey and Miranda) and friends.