Dennis Wheelahan QC practises almost exclusively in common law. He has been a Judge and an Associate Judge of the New South Wales District Court and a New South Wales Supreme Court Common Law Arbitrator.

He has appeared as leading counsel in a number of High Court cases which have shaped the law, perhaps the most notable being Rogers v Whitaker, McLean v Miller and, most recently, securing leave to appeal to the High Court for the plaintiff in Cole v South Tweed Rugby Leagues Club.

He appeared as leading counsel in the Court of Appeal for the successful parties in Mahoney v Kruschich and Burden v Rath.

Mr Wheelahan has been a member of the Bar Council for many years and chaired numerous committees. He is a Commander (Acting Captain) in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, a Defence Force Magistrate and a member of the Judge Advocates' Panel. He was the Commissioner who inquired into Falcon Airlines and related matters.

In the sporting area, he is a member of the Adjudicators' Panel at the Australian Golf Club, and, since 1996, Independent Citing Commissioner for the SANZAR and Super 12 and 14 Rugby series. He was appointed by the IRB as Citing Commissioner for Rugby World Cup 2003, the British and Irish Lions' Tour of New Zealand 2005 and other international contests. 

Mr Wheelahan has been awarded a Reserve Forces Decoration.

Previous occupation
Prosecutor for the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor until entering private practice.

Education
LLB (Sydney) 1967

Areas of Practice
Common Law

Admitted to practice
1967

Appointed as QC
New South Wales - 1988
Queensland - 1988
Australian Capital Territory - 1988
Victoria - 1991