Newly appointed Family Court judge Michael Turner, from Blenheim, encouraged young lawyers to work in the provinces rather than be attracted by the bright lights of the cities, just as he did 25 years ago.
Judge Turner made the remarks during a swearing-in ceremony at the Blenheim District Court yesterday when he addressed friends, family, police and fellow lawyers for the first time sitting on the bench.
Provincial centres often struggled to retain lawyers because they were drawn to the cities, he said.
The rewards of the job went beyond monetary gain and provinces offered a different lifestyle from cities.
"The benefits are the human side – getting to know other practitioners and often being seen by clients as `their' lawyer".
Young lawyers should consider moving to the provinces for a few years and hopefully stay there, he said.
Judge Turner's advice has come from personal experience.
He moved to Blenheim in 1985 after being admitted to the bar in Auckland in 1979 and working as a staff solicitor at private firms there for about five years.
He began work in Marlborough as a partner at Blenheim firm Wisheart Macnab and Partners, and left the practice in 1996 to set up sole practice as a barrister.
Becoming a district court judge was "the pinnacle of my career" and he eagerly awaited the challenge ahead of him, he said.
He praised the support and help from his family, fellow lawyers, court staff and police.
Judge Turner will spend the rest of the year in Wellington before becoming a judge in Invercargill next year.
He follows other Marlborough lawyers into the judiciary. Craig Thompson was appointed principal Environment Court judge in 2009 and Brian Dwyer as an Environment Court judge in 2006.
Deputy Solicitor-General Matthew Palmer said Mr Turner's appointment related to the confidence fellow judges, the public, lawyers and the Crown had in his integrity, skills and judgment.
Family Court judges must deal with human emotions with patience and understanding, and Judge Turner's experience would make him ideal, he said.
Lawyer Murray Hunt, representing the Marlborough branch of the Law Society, said Judge Turner was held in high regard and would be missed.
"Those who know you have no doubt in your ability," he said.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
SWORN IN: Blenheim lawyer Michael Turner reads the oath of allegiance as he is sworn in as a Family Court judge by executive judge Ian Mill during a ceremony in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.
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