The state government has announced the appointment of criminal lawyer Michael Bowden as a judge of the District Court.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said Mr Bowden was highly regarded both within the judiciary and the legal profession.
"I am confident that Mr Bowden will be a valuable addition to the District Court," Mr McGinty said.
"His extensive experience in criminal law will be an asset to the judicial system in Western Australia."
Mr Bowden graduated from The University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence in 1980 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1981.
In the same year, he commenced articles with Lavan and Walsh and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor.
Mr Bowden joined his uncle's firm, Cannon and Co, in late 1981 and became a partner of that firm in 1983.
He has practised mainly in the criminal law area as a defence counsel.
Mr Bowden has conducted and appeared in more than 445 defended jury trials in either the Supreme Court or the District Court and more than 400 Magistrates Court trials.
He has also appeared in numerous appeals to the Court of Criminal Appeal, many of which have been reported in the law reports.
Mr McGinty said Mr Bowden was one of WA's most experienced criminal lawyers.
"With this background, he is well equipped for office as a judge of the District Court, as a large proportion of the court's work is in the criminal jurisdiction," the Attorney General said.
Mr Bowden will take up his position on Tuesday, March 6.