Vale – David Millward Clarke

He emigrated from England with his parents and finished his schooling at Melbourne Grammar School. He graduated with special distinctions in Geography and Australian History and was awarded a senior government scholarship. He was a school prefect, house captain, editor of the school magazine and awarded colours in Swimming and Rugby. 

He attended Monash University graduating with a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1977. Admitted to practise on 1 March 1978, working first as a solicitor and then becoming an associate at Arnold Bloch Leibler & Co in 1983.

He first signed the Roll of Counsel on the 17 May 1984 reading with the Honourable Raymond A Finkelstein. David had a busy general commercial and building practice, and both mediated and arbitrated. He retired from the Bar in 2018.

He gave generously of his time to the Bar, being a member of the Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee, the Civil Justice Working Group and was on the committee that examined the ramifications of the Professional Standards Act for the Bar.

He was a personable, reserved and modest practitioner with a great sense of humour.

When he first came to the Bar, he joined Muir’s List, moving to Meldrum & Hyland where he was List Chair from approximately 2000 to 2010, guiding the list through difficult times. 

He is survived by Marianne and his children Emily, Olivia, George, Sam and Louise.