Experience
David holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Adelaide and was admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia in 1980. He co-established the firm White Berman where he developed a successful practice focusing on family and matrimonial law before being called to the Bar. Appointed Senior Counsel in 2010, he appeared extensively in the Family Court of Australia across multiple jurisdictions.
In 2013, David was appointed a Judge of the Family Court of Australia and served until the completion of his commission in June 2025. He has since returned to practice as Senior Counsel and as an accredited Mediator and Arbitrator, and is widely respected for his mentorship, scholarship, and standing within the legal profession.
Memberships & Expertise
David has been a member of the Law Society of South Australia since 1981 and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia since 1995.
Following his appointment as a Judge of the Family Court of Australia in 2013, David served as the Court’s representative to the Judicial Council of Cultural Diversity, now known as the Judicial Council of Diversity and Inclusion.
He was also appointed Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in 2015, resigning that appointment upon his retirement from the Court.
Professional and Honorary Appointments
2025 – Returned to the Bar as Senior Counsel and as an accredited Mediator and Arbitrator
2025 – Retired commission as a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
2013 – Appointed Judge of the Family Court of Australia, Adelaide
2010 – Took Silk as Senior Counsel
1995 – Joined Campbell Chambers as a Barrister
1981 – Co-established the firm White Berman
1981 – Admitted as a Legal Practitioner to the Supreme Court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia
1980 – Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
1977 – Bachelor of Law, University of Adelaide
The Honorable David Berman SC 