Anyone who has needed to wade through law school essays, summer clerkships, and legal document reviews will know that the world of law can be more tedious than David E Kelly would have us believe. However, like any other competitive pursuit, the Australian legal scene has seen its fair share of historic moments and game changing events.
While Insights has previously detailed some of the most influential cases in Australian history, no landmark case would be possible without a crack team of lawyers pulling the strings. For this reason, we have decided to shed some light on five of Australia’s most well-known barristers and prosecutors, what they’re currently doing, and why they’re considered the best at it.
1. Ian Temby QC
The term “living legend” is tossed around a lot these days, however few barristers fit the role quite as comfortably as Ian Temby. Currently the Head of Chambers at 3 St James’ Hall Chambers, Temby has formerly served as the first Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, the first Commissioner of the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption, and a commissioner in the 2002 in the Temby Royal Commission into the Finance Broking Industry. His contributions to Australian law through both the public sector and private practice were recognised in 2000, when he was named an Officer of the Order of Australia.
2. Bret Walker SC
This High Court specialist boasts a resume as varied as it is extensive. He has frequently attracted media attention for his work as a barrister – perhaps most notably in his representation of tobacco companies in their fight against plain packaging, or his defence of former Cronulla Sharks player Greg Bird against allegations he had assaulted his girlfriend. However, his out-of-court achievements are just as noteworthy. Having served as the President of the NSW Bar Association, President of the Law Council of Australia, Chairman of LCA National Criminal Law Liaison Committee and Governor of the Law Foundation of NSW, Walker was also appointed the first Independent National Security Legislation Monitor. He has since stepped down from the role, but is still outspoken on the subject of Australia’s recent terror laws.
3. Margaret Cunneen SC
Margaret Cunneen has rightly earned a reputation as one of the Australian legal profession’s most high-profile crusaders against sexual crime. As a Crown Prosecutor, she has convicted a string of highly publicised rapists and paedophiles, including gang rapist Bilal Skaf, paedophiles Colin Fisk and Phillip Bell, and the so-called “Butcher of Bega” Graeme Reeves. On 30 May she reported to the NSW Governor in her capacity Commissioner of the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into child abuse within the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
4. Dina Yehia
As she was sworn in as a judge of the District Court of NSW in May of this year, we deliberated over whether Dina Yehia belonged on this list. However, given her stellar record as a NSW Public Defender, it seemed criminal to omit her. Having served as a barrister for the Public Defenders Office for 14 years, Yehia made history in 2012 when she became the first female to be appointed Deputy Senior Public Defender.
5. Winston Terracini SC
This list would not be complete without the man who is commonly referred to as one of Australia’s leading silks. A renowned witness cracker with a penchant for taking on complex murder and manslaughter cases, Terracini has defended a number of high profile clients, including Keli Lane, Gorgon Wood and Ron Medich. Most recently his services have been procured by Harriet Wran (the daughter of former NSW Premier Neville Wran) for her alleged involvement in a drug-related murder.
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