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The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D'Ath, announced the appointment of three new judges for Queensland.
Barrister Soraya Ryan QC will become a Supreme Court Justice in Brisbane, starting work tomorrow.
Barrister Michael Williamson QC has been appointed as a District
Court Judge in Brisbane and Federal Court Judge John Coker will take up a new position in the District Court in Townsville.D'Ath says the three Judges will bring a fresh perspective to the various Queensland courts.
"These experienced practitioners will bring a wealth of legal experience to the bench," says D'Ath.
Ryan is an experienced criminal trial lawyer and appellate advocate who has practiced law since 1998. She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2013 and has worked as an ODPP Senior Crown Prosecutor, university lecturer, in-house Counsel at Legal Aid Queensland, and part-time Commissioner for both the Queensland Law Reform Commission and the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Whilst a new Supreme Court judge wasn't scheduled for appointment until the end of the year, D'Ath says Ryan's appointment "will provide extra support in the meantime".
Williamson has worked as a barrister in private practice in Brisbane since 2004, specialising in Planning and Environment Law.
Coker has already been a Federal Court judge for more than 17 years and a qualified legal practitioner in Townsville since 1985.
Queensland Law Society president Ken Taylor says it is pleasing to see a range of appointments from city-centric to the regional areas.
"Such timely appointments allow our justice system to continue to carry out their role seamlessly," says Taylor.
"It is also fitting to note that Judge Coker is originally from the solicitor's branch of the profession, and we are pleased to see the skill of our practitioners recognised in such appointments."
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