Damien studied Arts and Law at the University of Queensland. He completed a Masters of Law at Cambridge, where he was awarded First Class honours as well as the Lady Foundress’ Prize for Pembroke College. He was admitted to the Bar in 1995 and became a Nationally Accredited Mediator in 2017 before taking silk in 2018.

His practice as counsel is varied, regularly appearing in commercial and construction matters in the state and federal courts, as well as acting for doctors, patients and hospitals in major medicolegal litigation, acting in commissions of inquiry and inquests and appearing in general legal disputes such as property and personal injuries matters. He also has a busy practice as a mediator and is regularly engaged in that role by the private and public sectors.

Damien is the Chair of the Human Rights Committee for the Bar Association of Queensland and Chair of the Youth Advocacy Centre, Brisbane. He is also the Vice President for the Medico-Legal Society of Queensland, and a Director of Micah Projects, a not-for-profit organisation committed to eliminating homelessness, domestic violence and social isolation. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2019 and he lives with his family in West End, Brisbane.