Obituary - John Joseph Goodman

John was educated at Christian Brothers College, St Kilda. He left school to work in a science laboratory, starting to study science at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He then joined the Department of Customs, where he worked for some 14 years – while there, completing adult matriculation and studying Law. He graduated from the University of Melbourne with an Honours Law Degree.

John served Articles with the Deputy Crown Solicitor and was admitted to practice in March 1968. He practised for 12 years in the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor’s Office. He was a Principal Legal Officer and acted as the Registrar in Bankruptcy for about a year.

While working full-time in the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor’s Office, for the first eight years, he was also a part-time Sessional Tutor, Lecturer and Examiner in the Law Faculties at both Melbourne and Monash Universities.

John came to the Bar in May 1983 and read with Peter Murley. John had one Reader, Michelle Unsworth. He was a kind and generous Pupil Master; also freely assisting, supporting and mentoring numerous other new barristers.

He practised mostly in the Magistrates’ Courts, with an emphasis in Crime; in County Court Appeals; also, in Family Law and in the Children’s Court.

John practised and had Chambers at the Bar right up to his transfer to the list of Retired Counsel on 30 June 2011 – more than 27 ½ years in practice at the Bar; a member of the Bar for more than 35 years.

John was devoted to his family – a father and grandfather. He was a fine sportsman – a passionate and high-level golfer and tennis player.