New magistrates were today appointed to courts in Beenleigh, Bowen, Dalby and Southport.
The foursome are 25-year prosecutor and Crown Law veteran Patrina Clohessy (Beenleigh), Queensland Civil and Administrate Tribunal Senior Member Michelle Howard (Bowen), Legal Aid Queensland lawyer Kyna Morice (Dalby), with current Acting Magistrate Mark Bamberry being elevated to a permanent role (Southport).
Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the state’s newest judicial officers brought a wealth of experience and service to the legal profession.
“Mr Bamberry, a current acting magistrate, has been appointed to the Southport Magistrates Court following a legal career spanning more than two decades in areas of criminal law, traffic law, commercial and property law, and domestic violence matters,” she said.
“Ms Clohessy, a current Deputy Crown Solicitor and Chief Counsel with Crown Law, will commence in her role at Beenleigh Magistrates Court after 25 years working in both the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Crown Law.
She said Ms Howard would commence her role in Brisbane, before moving to the Bowen Magistrates Court.
“Ms Howard began her legal career in 1986 and brings to the bench extensive experience, having previously served as Queensland’s Public Advocate and as a Senior Member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“Ms Morice, a well-respected lawyer with Legal Aid Queensland in Toowoomba, has been appointed to Dalby Magistrates Court and joins the bench with almost 20 years’ legal experience, appearing across jurisdictions on a range of often complex matters related to criminal law, domestic and family violence, and mental health.”
Ms Morice will commence her appointment in Brisbane, before moving to serve the community in the Western Downs Region.
“I warmly welcome our newest Queensland magistrates and wish them all the very best in their judicial careers,” Ms Fentiman said.
Mr Mark Bamberry, Ms Patrina Clohessy, Ms Michelle Howard and Ms Kyna Morice will officially commence in their new roles on 22 August.
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