Her Honour Judge Carolene Gwynn
Her Honour Judge Carolene Gwynn
BA, LLB (Monash)
Carolene Gwynn (’87) came to realise that her calling was to the law while a boarder at St Catherine’s School. She completed degrees in Arts and Law at Monash University and was particularly drawn to the area of criminal law, practising as a solicitor in a criminal law firm after university.
Carolene gained extensive experience as an advocate in criminal law and in the Children’s Court while working at Victoria Legal Aid, followed by 14 years at the Bar. As a barrister she was able to practise in all aspects of criminal law as defence and prosecuting counsel.
Considering it an important part of her practice to play a role in educating and mentoring those coming into the profession, Carolene has been involved in teaching law students and new readers at the Bar the skills they need as they begin their careers. On four occasions she travelled to Papua New Guinea to teach courtroom advocacy skills to law students and has been to Vanuatu to teach those same skills. Carolene has also served as a member of the Victorian Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association.
Carolene was appointed as a Magistrate in March 2015. She sat at the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court, including the Family Violence Court Division, and the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. She also served on Magistrates’ Court committees concerned with criminal law, sex offences, the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal and the education of magistrates. In May 2017 she was appointed as a Judge of the County Court of Victoria.
Carolene enjoys the theatre, cooking and a good walk.
