Dominic Brunello appointed to Southport Magistrates Court

The Queensland government has appointed Dominic Brunello, a legal practitioner equipped with over 25 years of experience, as a magistrate at the Southport Magistrates Court, effective 30 September.

An accredited specialist in criminal law since 2020, Brunello presently chairs the Queensland Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee, according to a media statement of Yvette D'Ath, Queensland’s attorney-general, minister for justice, and minister for the prevention of domestic and family violence.

Over the years, Brunello has garnered extensive experience as a solicitor and barrister. He also has experience as in-house counsel. He started out as a solicitor in private practice then worked at numerous community legal support services, including the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia. Recently, he served as a senior consultant at a private firm.

“Mr Brunello has demonstrated exceptional legal acumen across his years of service in private legal practice and in providing support to Queensland communities through his work with legal support organisations,” D’Ath said in the media statement.

Brunello’s experience spans administrative and criminal appeals, judicial review applications, coronial inquests, workplace misconduct cases, professional and public service disciplinary proceedings, and parole matters.

“His broad legal background ensures he is an exceptional addition to the bench, and an asset to the courts,” D’Ath said in the media statement. Brunello deeply understands the diverse challenges faced by Queenslanders, according to the media statement.

As a litigator, Brunello has successfully argued appeals before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. He has appeared twice before the High Court of Australia.

Brunello graduated with a bachelor of laws and commerce degree from Griffith University in 1998. He received admission to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2001.