Victorian Governor awarded honorary doctorate
L to R: Dr Alan Finkel, Governor Alex Chernov and Professor Ed Byrne
Monash has awarded an honorary doctorate to The Hon Alex Chernov AC QC for his significant contribution to the legal profession and legal education in Australia.
Sworn in as the 28th Governor of Victoria in 2011, the Governor has held many high level positions in both legal and academic settings.
The Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel conferred the Doctor of Laws honoris causa on the Governor in recognition of his dedication to the legal profession.
Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne says the doctorate honours the Governor’s outstanding work in his practice of law and contribution to legal education in Australia.
“The Governor has displayed an exceptional level of dedication to his leadership roles and has been at the forefront of legal education in this country” Professor Byrne said.
The Governor began his career as a barrister in 1968, and has since gone on to many high level leadership roles including Queen’s Counsel in 1980 and Chancellor of the University of Melbourne from 2009 to 2011.
The Governor has built up an extensive background in commercial and company law and equity, working in almost all of Australia’s Supreme Courts, the Supreme Court of Fiji, the High Court of Australia and the Privy Council.
The Governor has held previous positions as Chairman of the Victorian Bar, President of the Australian Law Council and Vice president of LawAsia and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Melbourne in 2012. The Governor received his Companion of the Order of Australia in 2012.
Father of three and grandfather of seven, The Governor was born in Lithuania and immigrated to Australia as a young boy with his Russian parents where he attended Melbourne High School. He then completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 1961 and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1968 at the University of Melbourne.