Malcolm Turnbull wasn't wrong when he described the Susan Kiefel story as one of inspiration.  The next chief justice of the High Court left school at 15, worked as a legal secretary, studied at night to first complete her high school qualifications and then law through the Barristers Admission Board.  Now, at 62, she's the most senior judge in the land and the first woman to lead the nation's highest court.  The prime minister said Justice Kiefel's appointment - effective from January 30 - showed that even paralegals and legal secretaries could make it to the top of the profession.  "They can follow in Susan Kiefel's footsteps, study well, get admitted, become the chief justice of Australia," Mr Turnbull said in announcing the appointment in Canberra on Tuesday.  The Kiefel career is marked by groundbreaking achievements: the first woman in Queensland appointed a Queen's Counsel; ditto to the state's Supreme Court; the third woman appointed to the High Court.  Highly regarded by the judiciary and the legal profession, Justice Kiefel was the overwhelming favoured candidate to succeed Robert French.  "This appointment will come as little surprise," Attorney-General George Brandis said.  Every step in her career was a step she took on merit and she would be a great leader of the court, he said.  For her part, Justice Kiefel said she was deeply honoured by the appointment and vowed to work to uphold the importance of the court as an institution in our society and to maintain its independence.  "The High Court remains as relevant today to Australians as it did at Federation," she said in statement.  The issues that came before the court affected many aspects of the life of the nation.  "It will be a privilege to walk in the footsteps of the eminent jurists who have been appointed chief justices since the court was established in 1903."  James Edelman, 42, will fill the vacancy left by Justice French.  "He is one of the most outstanding legal minds of his generation," Mr Turnbull said.  Justice Edelman was a professor at Oxford University at the age of 34 and since 2015 has been a judge of the Federal Court.  The Law Council of Australia welcomed both appointments.  "Justice Kiefel's success should serve as an inspiration to all young people considering a career in law," president Stuart Clarke said.  Justice Edelman's career had been remarkable having made significant contributions as both an academic and legal practitioner, he said.  "The breadth of his achievements to date are all the more remarkable by his relative youth."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced the appointment of sitting High Court judge Susan Kiefel as its next chief justice.