Thursday, 30 July 2020
The Law Society of Western Australia congratulates Magistrate Martin Flynn, Gary Massey and Karen Shepherd following their appointment as District Court judges. The appointments are effective from 3 August 2020, the Attorney General the Hon John Quigley MLA has announced.
Two of the positions have been created to help manage a caseload increased by legislated changes to court jurisdictions which has widened the scope of cases heard by the District Court. The third appointment will fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Her Honour Judge Felicity Davis.
Law Society President Nicholas van Hattem said, “On behalf of the wider WA legal profession, I wholeheartedly congratulate Magistrate Martin Flynn, Gary Massey and Karen Shepherd on their appointments. All three appointees have extensive experience in criminal law matters and their respective skill sets are highly relevant to the jurisdiction of the District Court. They have shown a great commitment and made a valuable contribution to the legal profession in Western Australia and we wish them all the best in their important new roles as District Court judges.”
Magistrate Martin Flynn was admitted to practice in 1987 and is a longstanding member and supporter of the Law Society. He is a published academic who has lectured at universities both nationally and internationally and served as a magistrate in Western Australia for 14 years.
Mr Massey was admitted to practice in 1989 and joined the Law Society that same year. He has over 30 years’ experience in commercial and criminal law, with much of that time spent conducting criminal trials.
Ms Shepherd was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1994 and spent several years practicing in the United Kingdom. She also worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a number of years and has extensive experience in criminal law.
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For comment please contact:
Madeleine McErlain
Marketing and Communications Manager
(08) 9324 8650
mmcerlain@lawsocietywa.asn.au
The Law Society of Western Australia is the peak professional association for lawyers in the State. The Society is a not-for-profit association dedicated to the representation of its more than 4,000 members. The Society enhances the legal profession through its position as a respected leader and contributor on law reform, access to justice and the rule of law. The Society is widely acknowledged by the legal profession, government and the community as the voice of the legal profession in Western Australia.
