Dan commenced as a student volunteer with Caxton Legal Centre in 2001. Caxton opened his eyes to what it means to practise law and, since then, Dan has committed his legal career to the pursuit of legal and social justice, and the protection of human rights.

After many years of volunteering for Caxton, Dan commenced as a member of the management committee in 2008 before being appointed secretary from 2010 to 2018 and President in 2019.  During that lengthy period overseeing Caxton’s operations, he has seen incredible growth and maturity in the organisation’s activities.

As a senior legal professional practising as the principal of Robertson O’Gorman Solicitors, Dan has expertise in criminal defence, administrative law, inquiries, domestic violence, work health and safety, and professional discipline.  His core legal skills help him understand well the challenging work undertaken by the solicitors and social workers practising at Caxton.

Dan brings significant committee and board experience. He is the former Attorney-General’s appointee to the Queensland Law Society Council. He is also a member (former Chair) of the Queensland Law Society Human Rights and Public Law Committee and a member of the Queensland Law Society Ethics Committee. He also holds the statutory role as a member of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council, advising the Attorney-General on criminal law sentencing matters. Dan holds a Master of Laws and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.

Human rights is a central framework for the work undertaken by Caxton. Dan is a leader in the human-rights space having campaigned the legislative reforms that lead to the introduction of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). He appeared on behalf of the Queensland Law Society when that legislation was debated in Parliament and now presents to the community, the legal profession and members of the judiciary about human rights. He is the co-author of the human rights chapters in the Queensland Law Handbook and the Lawyers Practice Manual.

Dan is deeply committed to Caxton’s vision for a just and inclusive Queensland.