Peter Quinlan has been appointed 14th chief justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, effective August 13.
The incoming chief justice succeeds Wayne Martin, who announced in March he would stand down after more than 12 years in the role.
In 2016, Mr Quinlan was appointed solicitor general of WA by the Barnett government.
Prior to this appointment, Mr Quinlan joined the Crown Solicitor’s Office in 1993 and was later appointed as assistant crown counsel, before taking up practice as a barrister at the independent bar in 2001.
Mr Quinlan practised as a barrister for over 15 years, specialising in public law, native title and professional liability.
He was appointed senior counsel in 2010 and served as the president of the WA Bar Association from 2012 to 2015.
Mr Quinlan was also the director of the Law Council of Australia from 2012 to 2014.
WA Attorney General John Quigley said the 48 year old was a standout choice for the role.
“Throughout his illustrious career, Mr Quinlan SC has been committed to undertaking a wide and varied practice, including in the areas of commercial, civil, criminal, administrative and constitutional law,” Mr Quigley said.
“Mr Quinlan SC has been instrumental in facilitating the McGowan government’s law reform agenda and the government looks forward to his wise counsel as we implement further reforms.”
Law Society president Hayley Cormann congratulated Mr Quinlan on his appointment to the top job.
“Mr Quinlan SC is eminently suitable for this appointment, and an outstanding leader of the legal profession,” Ms Cormann said.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with him in his new role.”
