QLS Councillor appointed as judge

North Queensland solicitor Chris Kahler has been appointed a judge of the Townsville District Court.

A Queensland Law Society Councillor and committee member, Chris will begin his appointment on 5 May.

He was admitted in 2005 and practised as a civil and criminal lawyer in the region for 11 years before establishing Kahler Lawyers, with offices in Cairns and Innisfail, in 2016.

Chris is a member of the Far North Queensland Law Association and North Queensland Law Association.

He has also volunteered and served on various community boards including the Innisfail District Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army and Red Cross throughout Innisfail and Far North Queensland for more than 10 years. 

QLS President Genevieve Dee welcomed his appointment from the solicitors’ branch of the profession to the Townsville District Court.

“On behalf of the Society’s more than 12,000 members, I congratulate Councillor Chris Kahler on his well-deserved appointment to the District Court in Townsville,” Genevieve said.

“QLS has consistently advocated for appointment of solicitors with considerable experience to the courts as well as improved court resourcing.

“With a family history in Far North Queensland spanning four generations and his long history practising in rural and regional areas, Councillor Kahler understands these communities well.

“He has also given back to the legal profession, particularly in his time as a Queensland Law Society Councillor, ensuring that regional and remote lawyers are effectively represented at the highest level.

“We applaud the appointment the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington has made to strengthen the North Queensland region’s access to justice.”

The Attorney-General said his long-standing service to justice in regional Queensland made him a strong addition to the state’s judiciary.  

“Mr Kahler will bring invaluable and diverse legal expertise and experience to the Townsville District Court, and I know this appointment is very warmly welcomed by the existing judges who he will be working closely with,” she said. 

“Mr Kahler is a recognised leader in the legal profession with deep roots in the North Queensland community, I congratulate and wish him well in his new role.”

It will be the first time Townsville District Court has had three permanent judges in its 50-year history.