Date admitted as a Barrister: 8 February 1985
 
Bachelor of Laws Sydney University
   
1977-1985 Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW
   
1985 Admitted to the NSW Bar
   
2002 Appointed Senior Counsel
   
2000-2002 Member NSW Bar Council
   
  Professional Conduct Committee Member
   
Currently Administrative Decisions Tribunal – part-time
   
  Non-Presidential Judicial Member in the Legal Services Division
   
  Member of the Family Law Committee of the Bar Council
  Member – Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators (IAMA)
   
Appearances before Royal Commissions, Tribunals, Inquiries and Inquests:
 
  • Slattery Royal Commission in the Chelmsford Private Hospital
  • Gyles Royal Commission into the Building Industry;
  • Wood Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service;
  • Police Integrity Commission;
  • Star City Casino: Inquest into the Death of Peter Dalamangas;
  • Hardie Inquiry chaired by Jackson QC (on behalf of Power Stations)
  • ICAC Inquiries
  • PIC Inquiries

In my civil practice, both as senior and junior counsel, I have appeared in cases involving various areas of civil law including tort, contract, commerce and family law. I have acted for private clients in NSW and Victoria and for Government Departments in NSW. Some of the cases in which I appeared involved lengthy and complex issues of law and fact. I have also appeared for liquidators and have been briefed on behalf of Lawcover and appeared before the Medical Tribunal. I have acted for plaintiffs in professional negligence (medical and legal) cases.

I have also appeared both as Defence counsel and as Prosecutor in many criminal cases, including serious sexual assaults, social security fraud, embezzlement, receiving, false pretences, drug importation and use, conspiracy, culpable driving and many cases concerned with summary offences. I have also acted for the Department of Community Services in child sexual abuse cases and the Department of Fair Trading in cases concerned with false and misleading conduct in trade and commerce.

I have acted in resumption/valuation cases against the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA). The same or similar principles would apply in any resumptions by Council.

Since being appointed Senior Counsel, I have maintained a diverse practice, for example:-

  • I have recently acted against Ballina Council for a developer in the Land & Environment Court in Class 1 proceedings. The case related to a 142 lot subdivision and development and the Council’s deemed refusal;
  • I have appeared before various Tribunals;
  • I am briefed by the Crown as Senior Counsel in complex matters concerning serious sexual offenders and give advice and appear when necessary in relation to applications opposing release or imposing conditions upon release;
  • From time to time I appear and give advice in Family Law property matters;
  • I am currently advising and appearing in Employment Law matters;
  • I have appeared in personal injuries litigated matters for both the plaintiff and the defendant including medical and professional negligence.

I have completed the IAMA mediation course and obtained the relevant certificate and have conducted mediations in various areas of law.