CANBERRA solicitor Gavin Mansfield has been appointed as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Announced on Friday by Attorney-General Michaelia Cash, Mr Mansfield commences in the new role today (December 13).

Mr Mansfield currently leads the criminal, civil, and family law litigation team at Canberra firm O’Connor Harris. Prior to joining O’Connor Harris, Mr Mansfield was employed at the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions.

He came to the law after ten years as co-owner of a small local business, embarking on a new career as a solicitor with a Juris Doctor completed at the University of Canberra.

He was admitted as an Australian legal practitioner in the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in 2011.

“Gavin’s breadth of legal experience will be put to good use on the bench,” said ACT law society president Elizabeth Carroll.

“In particular, his knowledge of how mental health can be taken into account in proceedings, and his work on complex family law matters involving children with special needs, will bring valuable insight to the Court.”