The criminal solicitor and mediator was yesterday announced as a new NSW magistrate by state Attorney-General Mark Speakman.

“Mr Halburd has outstanding credentials and will bring a wealth of diverse experience with him to the Local Court bench,” Mr Speakman said.

“His innovative work to empower victims of domestic violence has been particularly impressive.”

Mr Halburd, whose first taste of the law was doing work year 10 work experience at Albury court, had mixed feelings at an ambition being realised.

“I’m very excited, it’s something I want to do, but it’s an immense responsibility,” Mr Halburd said.

“It’s a big change from advocating from one position on the floor of the court to arriving at a fair decision from the bench.”

Mr Halburd began his career in 1989 with Albury solicitor David Skinner and studied for his law degree while a clerk.

He was in Brussels from 2012 to 2014 where he focused on corporate governance matters.

Member for Albury Greg Aplin hailed Mr Halburd’s appointment.

"Mr Halburd has served the local community with distinction for many years, both within the justice system and beyond,” Mr Aplin said.

"Mr Halburd gave much of his time to the Albury community as a director of Albury-Wodonga Health and the Carevan Foundation which helps homeless and disadvantaged people in rural Australia.

“Mr Halburd will bring common sense, compassion and a strong legal mind to his new duties.”

The former Albury and District Law Society secretary will be sworn in as a magistrate on September 11 and will spend his first year presiding in Sydney courts.

Conflicts of interest mean Mr Halburd is unlikely to act as a magistrate in Albury in the short term.

He is no longer able to appear in court as a representative, with clients having to be reallocated.