The Hon. Justice Brian John Preston SC graduated with a BA LLB (first class honours) (1982) from Macquarie University. 

He practised as a solicitor 1982 – 1987 and practised as a barrister between 1987 – 2005. He was appointed Senior Counsel 1999 and appointed Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales on 14 November 2005.

He is an avid scholar having taught, published and consulted widely on environmental law, sustainable development; biodiversity; climate change and the courts and the environment. He has written a book and book chapters and made presentations on land and environment matters in many national and international fora.