One of Ballarat’s leading criminal solicitors has been appointed to the bench of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
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Mike Wardell became a magistrate on May 16 after working in Ballarat for 18 years, most recently as the principal of Mike Wardell Barrister and Solicitor.
He was sworn in by Supreme Court of Victoria Chief Justice Anne Ferguson at a private ceremony in Melbourne.
Mr Wardell, originally from New Zealand, joins two other former Ballarat solicitors to be appointed to the bench in the past 16 years.
Former Ballarat law firm Ronald Saines and Co principle Ronald Saines was appointed in 2002, and former Capell, Burke Barristers and Solicitors principle Andrew Capell was appointed in 2003.
Mr Wardell said a magistrate’s role to deal with a host of community issues, including public safety and family violence, inspired him to apply to the bench.
“To have a more incisive role to many issues and developing those areas appealed to me. It’s like a hub for community issues,” Mr Wardell said.
“To be now in a position to assess those issues has inspired me.”
Mr Wardell said challenges he faced as a magistrate included trying to address issues around the impact drug use and family violence has on the community.
But he said he had been impressed by the programs available at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to help court users that could be introduced in regional courts.
Mr Wardell will spend the next six to 12 weeks taking part in a comprehensive induction process which involves moving between different courts in Melbourne and working with experienced magistrates.
He is expected to be assigned a mentor during the early stages in his new role.
“The whole process is about managing work loads, giving everyone an opportunity to be heard and making use of the resources to enable a successful outcome for the community and the individual,” he said.
“I am looking forward to being the best I can and being recognised, hopefully, to fulfil the role competently and efficiently.”
The new magistrate said his career highlight while working in Ballarat was assisting junior solicitors and being their mentor.
“The highlight to me was seeing them grow in confidence and ability. That has continually been very rewarding for me,” he said.
He praised Ballarat court uses and staff for their positive and cohesive relationship which he said resulted in the smooth running of the law courts.
Mr Wardell left New Zealand to live in Australia 18 years ago. He lived and worked in Melbourne for six months before a solicitor position came up in Ballarat in late 2000.
He worked at Saines and Partners, now known as Saines Lucas Solicitors, gaining experience before starting his own practice in Sturt Street.
Mr Wardell’s partner, also from New Zealand, came to Ballarat where they eventually started a family.
“We find Ballarat has everything we wanted and liked,” Mr Wardell said.
He is not expected to sit on the bench in Ballarat for some years but he is looking forward to working in a regional court.
Ballarat solicitor David Tamanika, who worked under Mr Wardell for nine years, has now started his own law firm called David Tamanika Solicitor.