A shining light in criminal law practice, new District Court Judge Glen Cranny was described as one of the sharpest legal minds and talents in the state at this week’s swearing-in ceremony.
The former Managing Director of Gilshenan & Luton, Queensland Law Society President’s Medal winner and QLS Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law was appointed in December 2025 following decades as a leading criminal lawyer.
Speakers at the ceremony praised His Honour for not only his skills but his ongoing contributions to the profession.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Deb Frecklington said the legal profession held His Honour, who was also appointed to the Queensland Law Reform Commission in 2023, in high esteem.
“I’m sure the QLS President will concur when I say you do the solicitors of our state proud today with this well-deserved appointment,” the Attorney-General said.
“Your friends and colleagues have been forthcoming with very high praise. One described you as legendary and the best solicitor Queensland has ever produced. Some competition.
“Some detail your generous nature and selfless mentoring efforts in even helping some of your direct competitors to set up their own practices.
“To quote your former colleagues at Gilshenan and Luton, whose affection for Your Honour is clear, your appointment, and I quote, is a testament to an exceptional career, a resolute advocate for justice, and a genuine mentor to so many.”
QLS President Peter Jolly said within the landscape of criminal law, Judge Cranny had long been acknowledged as a luminary.
“His intellect and principled service have shone a guiding light to the profession,” Mr Jolly said.
“Your appointment today is testament to that. Your Honor’s contribution to criminal law is unparalleled and many within our Society regard you as one of the finest solicitors ever to practise in criminal law and regulatory prosecutions.
“Your legacy of excellence and mentorship continues to inspire both new and seasoned members of the legal community.”
Mr Jolly said His Honour’s inquisitive and orderly mind helped make him “the wonderful lawyer we all know, and that will equally help you make your mark as a judge”.
“Over nearly three decades, Your Honour has not only excelled in the practice of law but has served as a mentor to countless lawyers who have gone on to achieve great success in their own right,” he said.
“Your Honour’s unwavering commitment to justice and dedication to supporting and guiding others have left an indelible mark on our profession.
“Your Honour is viewed by your colleagues as the epitome of professionalism. One colleague noted that despite being one of the sharpest minds in the legal profession, Your Honour leads with insight rather than ego.
“Your Honour manages to provide advice and guidance to clients and solicitors alike with a rare mix of mastery and humility that makes you both a wonderful advocate and a great mentor.
“The general sentiment from our members is that these attributes will serve you well in your new role.”
Mr Jolly said the profession had been profoundly fortunate to have benefitted from His Honour’s expertise and experience.
“And to have enjoyed the privilege of your exemplary leadership as Chair of the Criminal Law Committee, as a member of the Specialist Accreditation Board, and as a Senior Counsellor. Your Honour’s contribution to legal policy and advocacy is, in every respect, unsurpassed,” he said.
“In the words of the venerable Catherine McAuley, we should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us, and Your Honour has indeed exemplified that ideal illuminating the profession with wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication.
“We are profoundly privileged to mark this significant appointment and to honour Judge Cranny’s elevation to the District Court.
“The profession’s loss is indeed the court’s gain, and we look forward with great confidence to Your Honour’s continued and distinguished service to the people of Queensland.”
Despite the plaudits at the ceremony, including being recognised in Doyles Guide as a pre-eminent criminal defence lawyer, His Honour took pause about his appointment.
“This appointment has given me cause for some moments of quiet reflection regarding my career to date,” His Honour said.
“And by any measure, I have been truly fortunate. I have worked with great colleagues, I’ve briefed the very best of the bar, and I’ve acted for many varied and interesting clients.
“A career practising in the criminal law gives one a front-row seat to observe the very best and the very worst of humanity, and the profound effect that engagement with the criminal justice system has on all those involved within it.
“Those lessons will stay with me during this next chapter of my professional life.”
Even with his extensive legal experience, His Honour received advice following his appointment to the District Court.
“Since my appointment was announced, I’ve received a significant amount of helpful, or at least well-intended, advice from colleagues across the profession,” he said.
“It was noteworthy, though, that there was one recurring theme in the advice I received, particularly from other judges, both present and retired, and that was, ‘Don’t worry about the Court of Appeal’.
“Just make your decisions and the rest will take care of itself. Now my brother Tim suggested that was equivalent to our mother’s advice from our childhood which was just go out there and have fun.
“The problem though is that prior to receiving all that advice I hadn’t had a chance to give much thought to what the Court of Appeal might think of my decisions and of course now I’m wracked with worry about the very thing I’m not supposed to be worrying about.”
His Honour thanked Mr Jolly for his very kind words on behalf of Queensland’s solicitors.
“My long-term involvement with the Society has been an absolutely fundamental part of my professional life. A great deal of that work involved advocating for the introduction of well-justified, evidence-based legislation and law reform,” he said.
“For many years, I was involved with the Society in urging the government of the day to establish a judicial complaints commission to give litigants and practitioners an independent body to deal with complaints against judicial officers.
“On reflection, I wonder if such calls were a little hasty,” he said to much laughter.
“At the very least, it seems to me there are more pressing issues. I don’t know, increased court resources, for example. I would understand, Madam Attorney, if you consider there are other priorities to be addressed prior to devoting precious resources to those who make unfair complaints against the state’s hard-working judges.”
Judge Cranny also reflected on his time at Gilshenan & Luton, where he progressed from articled clerk to Managing Director, and was instrumental in the firm becoming a boutique specialising in criminal, regulatory and workplace law.
“Life as a law firm principal though is somewhat different,” he shared. “There is a special reward in being involved in the employment, training and mentoring of one’s own staff.
“To witness their growth and success, working beside them through all the ups and downs that life invariably brings is a true privilege and an aspect of my career that I enjoyed most.
“There were certain hard and fast rules that came with working at Gilshenan and Luton, one being that the practice of law was a profession first and a business second. Ethical practice was non-negotiable.
“Another core expectation was contribution to the profession via involvement with the Law Society.
These matters were impressed upon me as a young lawyer, and I in turn have sought to impart them upon those that I have mentored during my time as a principal of the firm.”
He also acknowledged his family, including his father-in-law former District Court Judge Garry Forno whose wig Judge Cranny now wears.
“I won life’s lotto in being raised in a loving and stable family environment, a country kid from Murgon in the South Burnett,” he said.
“My childhood was spent outdoors playing cricket, riding bikes, fighting with my brothers. I particularly want to acknowledge the presence of my parents, Peter and Pam, who are here today, and thank them for the love and wonderful example that they provided.
“I make no comment about the example my brothers set for me.”
His Honour concluded by thanking the Attorney-General and poking a bit of fun at himself.
“I’m tempted to say that it’s now my turn to go out there and have fun, but perhaps more fittingly, I undertake to discharge the solemn responsibilities of this office in good faith, with all my energy, and to the very best of my ability.”
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