Mary Anne has been appearing as Counsel since her admission to the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 2002. She honed her skills as an advocate in Tasmania, where the profession is joined. Mary Anne brought to her practice of law over 20 years’ experience as a registered nurse. She has practiced exclusively as a barrister since 2015.
Mary Anne is passionately committed to the protection of children and has an extensive practice in complex parenting matters. Although Mary Anne has a special interest in survivors of trauma, mental health and family violence, she is skilled in all areas of the family law jurisdiction and is regularly briefed in a variety of marriage, property and child support matters.
Mary Anne has broad experience as an Independent Children’s Lawyer. She has appeared as separate representative in the child protection jurisdiction and Special Counsel in the guardianship jurisdiction.
Mary Anne is a member of TASCAT and sits in the Guardianship stream.
Mary Anne appears in inquiry and tribunal work and was appointed as Counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with a Disability in 2021. She has appeared as Junior Counsel in Hearing 17: “The experience of women and girls with a disability with particular focus on family violence, domestic and sexual violence” and Hearing 29: “The experience of violence against, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with a disability from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.”
Mary Anne is known as a strategic litigator; she views strategy as central to an efficient and successful outcome. She operates at a highly analytical level and takes a forensic approach to any matter in which she is involved.
Mary Anne was the 2024 recipient of the Tasmania Legal Aid Practitioners Award.
Mary Anne has appeared as Counsel in multiple ground-breaking and innovative family law cases that have made significant contributions to the development of case law, through appearances in the Family Court of Australia, Federal Circuit Court of Australia and in all divisions of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Recent cases in which Mary Anne has appeared include:
Board and Committee Memberships include:
Mary Anne loves spending time with her family, friends and her chocolate Labradoodle. She enjoys reading, art, concerts and the theatre. Mary Anne has been privileged to mentor many practitioners less experienced than she and enjoys creating opportunities for learning.
Svenson Barristers is proud to showcase Mary Anne Ryan as a nationally accredited mediator with AMDRAS certification. Mary Anne has a specialisation in Family Law and also accepts mediation briefs
Congratulations to Trevor McKenna and Mary Anne Ryan, each recognised as Leading Family Law Junior Counsel – Tasmania 2026.
Over 180 Melbourne and interstate barristers skilled in advocacy, advice, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution—delivering tailored, exceptional legal representation you can trust.
