Judge Gregory Lynham

2018 College Recipient. College of Business, Law and Governance

Judge Gregory Lynham is a judge of the District Court of Queensland in Townsville and was the first James Cook University Law graduate to have been appointed as a judge.

Judge Lynham was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland in September 1996. Prior to his appointment as a judge of the District Court of Queensland in April 2017, he practiced for 20 years as a lawyer, during which time he provided exceptional legal service in the areas of criminal law, administrative law and family law.

In 1999, Judge Lynham enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force specialist reserve as a legal officer and currently holds the rank of Wing Commander. In 2015, he was appointed as Judge Advocate and Defence Force Magistrate, where he presided over a large number of courts martial and Defence Force Magistrate’s hearings. While in this role, Judge Lynham dealt with members of all three services of the Australian Defence Force.

Judge Lynham has shown an ongoing commitment to James Cook University and its students. Shortly after his appointment to the District Court, he spoke at the JCU Law Students’ Society’s Annual Law Ball to encourage students to embrace the legal profession and show commitment to the community as a whole.

He has also worked as a part-time tutor, lecturer and mentor at the University.

Prior to commencing his studies at James Cook University and his career in the legal service, Judge Lynham worked as a locomotive cleaner and fireman with Queensland Rail and as an administrative officer with the Queensland Police Service and the Townsville Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

During his time as a student at James Cook University, Judge Lynham was part of the first team to represent the University at the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, the largest moot court competition in the world. He was also elected by his peers as the president of the James Cook University Law Society.

Judge Gregory Lynham graduated from James Cook University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours.