The 2026 listing of leading Sydney Criminal Defence Lawyers details solicitors practising in criminal law matters in the NSW legal market who have been identified by their fellow New South Wales lawyers and barristers specialising in crime for their expertise and abilities in the area.
Market Leader
Preeminent
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Leading
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Trudie Cameron, Armstrong Legal
Jasmina Ceic, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Helen Christinson, Hugo Law Group
Angela Cooney, Armstrong Legal
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Gregory Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Carly Hydes, MacDougall & Hydes
Kiki Kyriacou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Lauren MacDougall, MacDougall & Hydes
Gerard Mitchell, Mitchell & Co
Leo Premutico, Essere – The Defenders
Andrew Tiedt, Armstrong Legal
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Recommended
Michelle Duncan, Crawford & Duncan
Rebecca Dunlop, Rebecca Dunlop Legal
Danny Eid, Danny Eid Lawyers
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
Jessica Fahmy, Fahmy Lawyers
Rylie Hahn-Hamilton, Marsdens
Michael Hempsall, Uther Webster & Evans
Erin Hoile, Kingston Fox
Wasim Jabakhanji, Zahr Partners
Omar Juweinat, Aquila Lawyers
Nadia Karim, Karim & Nicol
Sarah Khan, Khan Law & Associates
Serae Kopra, Bannisters Lawyers
Michael Korn, MK Legal
Warwick Korn, Korn Tlais
Aisha Lopez, Zahr Partners
Mickaela Mate, Mate Lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Carrie Nicol, Karim & Nicol
Peter O’Brien, O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors
Amanda Pappas, Pappas & Roberts Lawyers
Elie Rahme, Elie Rahme & Associates
Gemma Ridley, Ridley Legal
Aaron Roberts, Pappas & Roberts Lawyers
Alexandra Sarmed, Kingston Fox
Abdul Tlais, Korn Tlais
Prudence Watts, Streeton Lawyers
Bryan Wrench, Murphy’s Lawyers
Stephen Zahr, Zahr Partners
Previous editions
2025 edition published June 2025
Market Leader
Carol Younes, Hugo Law Group
Preeminent
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Lauren MacDougall, MacDougall & Hydes
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Leading
Trudie Cameron, Armstrong Legal
Jasmina Ceic, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Helen Christinson, Hugo Law Group
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Carly Hydes, MacDougall & Hydes
Kiki Kyriakou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Gerard Mitchell, Mitchell & Co
Leo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
Elie Rahme, Elie Rahme & Associates
Andrew Tiedt, JSA Law
Stephen Zahr, Zahr Partners
Recommended
Charles Abbott, Watsons
Isha Caulfield, Caulfield Solicitors
James Clements, Jackson John Defence Lawyers
Michelle Duncan, Crawford & Duncan
Rebecca Dunlop, Rebecca Dunlop Legal
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
Jessica Fahmy, Fahmy Lawyers
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Rylie Hahn-Hamilton, Marsdens
Michael Hempsall, Uther Webster & Evans
Erin Hoile, Kingston Fox
Omar Juweinat, Aquila Lawyers
Nadia Karim, Karim & Nicol
Sarah Khan, Khan Law & Associates
Warwick Korn, Korn Tlais
Aisha Lopez, Zahr Partners
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Carrie Nicol, Karim & Nicol
Peter O'Brien, O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors
Sean Payten, Ryan Paten Le
Sharon Ramsden, Marsdens
Philip Ryan, Ryan Paten Le
Osman Samin, Australian Criminal & Family Lawyers
Abbas Soukie, Hanna Legal
Alexandra Sarmed, Kingston Fox
Bryan Wrench, Murphy's Lawyers
2024 edition published July 2024
Preeminent
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Carol Younes, Hugo Law Group
Leading
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
Trudie Cameron, Armstrong Legal
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Lauren MacDougall, MacDougall & Hydes
Leo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
John Sutton, J Sutton Associates
Andrew Tiedt, J Sutton Associates
Recommended
Isha Caulfield, Caulfield Solicitors
Jasmina Ceic, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Helen Christinson, Hugo Law Group
Christopher Cole, O'Brien Hudson
Michelle Duncan, Crawford & Duncan
Rebecca Dunlop, Rebecca Dunlop Legal
Danny Eid, Danny Eid Lawyers
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Michael Hempsall, Uther Webster & Evans
Carly Hydes, MacDougall & Hydes
Sarah Khan, Khan Law & Associates
Kiki Kyriakou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Ben Jamieson, Jamieson Criminal
Omar Juweinat, Aquila Lawyers
Hayley Le, Ryan Paten Le
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Defence Lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Carrie Nicol, Karim & Nicol
Elie Rahme, Elie Rahme & Associates
Sharon Ramsden, Marsdens
Osman Samin, Australian Criminal & Family Lawyers
Alexandra Sarmed, Kingston Fox
Sophie Toomey, Toomey Defence Lawyerw
Stephen Zahr, Zahr Partners
2023 edition published June 2023
Preeminent
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Karen Espiner, Hugo Law Group
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Carol Younes, Hugo Law Group
Leading
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
Jasmina Ceic, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Kiki Kyriakou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Omar Juweinat, Aquila Lawyers
Lauren MacDougall, MacDougall & Hydes
Leo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
John Sutton, J Sutton Associates
Andrew Tiedt, J Sutton Associates
Recommended
Paul Blunt, Bell Lawyers
Trudie Cameron, Armstrong Legal
Helen Christinson, Hugo Law Group
Rebecca Dunlop, Rebecca Dunlop Legal
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Carly Hydes, MacDougall & Hydes
Wasim Jabakhangi, Zahr Partners
Nadia Karim, Karim + Nicol Lawyers
Sarah Khan, Khan Law & Associates
Warwick Korn, Korn Tlais
Aisha Lopez, Zahr Partners
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Defence Lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Elie Rahme, Elie Rahme & Associates
Sharon Ramsden, Marsdens
Madeleine Schneider, Schneider Legal
Abbas Soukie, Hannah Legal
Bryan Wrench, Murphy's Lawyers
Stephen Zahr, Zahr Partners
2022 edition published August 2022
Preeminent
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Karen Espiner, Hugo Law Group
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Kiki Kyriakou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Carol Younes, Hugo Law Group
Leading
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Omar Juweinat, Aquila Lawyers
Lauren MacDougall, MacDougall & Hydes
Leo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
John Sutton, J Sutton Associates
Andrew Tiedt, J Sutton Associates
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Recommended
Charles Abbott, Watsons
Trudie Cameron, Armstrong Legal
Jasmina Ceic, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Michelle Duncan, Crawford & Duncan
Rebecca Dunlop, Rebecca Dunlop Legal
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Erin Hoile, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Carly Hydes, MacDougall & Hydes
Nadia Karim, Karim + Nicol Lawyers
Sam Macedone, Macedone Legal
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Defence Lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Craig Murray, CDM Lawyers
Carrie Nicol, Karim + Nicol Lawyers
William O'Brien, O'Brien Hudson
Sharon Ramsden, Marsdens
Martin Ricci, The Law Practice
Alexandra Sarmed, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Stephen Zahr, Zahr Partners
2021 edition published August 2021
Preeminent
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Karen Espiner, Hugo Law Group
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Carol Younes, Hugo Law Group
Leading
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Omar Juweinat, Aquila Lawyers
Kiki Kyriakou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Lauren MacDougall, MacDougall & Hydes
Penelope Musgrave, Musgrave Legal
Leo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
John Sutton, J Sutton Associates
Recommended
Charles Abbott, Watsons
Trudie Cameron, Armstrong Legal
Isha Caulfield, Caulfield Solicitors
Rebecca Dunlop, Rebecca Dunlop Legal
Danny Eid, Danny Eid Lawyers
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
Adam Faro, Streeton Lawyers
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Erin Hoile, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Adam Houda, Lawyers Corp
Carly Hydes, MacDougall & Hydes
Michelle Karim, Karim + Nicol Lawyers
Nadia Karim, Karim + Nicol Lawyers
Sam Macedone, Macedone Legal
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Defence Lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Craig Murray, CDM Lawyers
Carrie Nicol, Karim + Nicol Lawyers
Penelope Purcell, Purcell Lawyers
Sharon Ramsden, Marsdens
Martin Ricci, The Law Practice
Alexandra Sarmed, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Andrew Tiedt, J Sutton Associates
Bryan Wrench, Murphys Lawyers
Stephen Zahr, Zahr Partners
2020 edition published August 2020
Preeminent
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Karen Espiner, Younes + Espiner
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Carol Younes, Younes + Espiner
Leading
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
Adam Faro, Streeton Lawyers
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Omar Juweinat, Aquila Lawyers
Kiki Kyriakou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Lauren MacDougall, Korn MacDougall Legal
Sam Macedone, Macedone Legal
Leo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
John Sutton, J Sutton Associates
Recommended
Charles Abbott, Watsons
Trudie Cameron, Armstrong Legal
Rebecca Dunlop, Rebecca Dunlop Legal
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
Simon Joyner, Matouk Joyner
Erin Hoile, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Nadia Karim, Karim + Nicol Lawyers
Warwick Korn, Korn MacDougall Legal
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Defence Lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Craig Murray, CDM Lawyers
Penelope Musgrave, Musgrave Legal
Peter O'Brien, O'Brien Solicitors
Carrie Nicol, Karim + Nicol Lawyers
Penelope Purcell, Purcell Lawyers
Elie Rahme, Elie Rahme & Associates
Robyn Richardson, Robyn Richardson Law
Alexandra Sarmed, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Andrew Tiedt, The Criminal Law Specialists
Sophie Toomey, Toomey Defence Lawyers
Christopher Watson, Watsons
Stephen Zahr, Zahr Partners
2019 edition published August 2019
Preeminent
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Karen Espiner, Younes + Espiner
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Carol Younes, Younes + Espiner
Leading
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
Adam Faro, Streeton Lawyers
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Omar Juweinat, Aquila Lawyers
Kiki Kyriakou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Sam Macedone, Macedone Legal
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Defence Lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Leonardo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
John Sutton, Armstrong Legal
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Robyn Richardson, Robyn Richardson Law
Christopher Watson, Watsons
Recommended
Charles Abbott, Watsons
Chris Cole, William O'Brien & Ross Hudson Solicitors
Rebecca Dunlop, Rebecca Dunlop Legal
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
Christian Hearn, Hearn Legal
Erin Hoile, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Nadia Karim ,Karim & Nicol
Warwick Korn, Korn Macdougall
John Marsh, Marsh Blom Lawyers
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Craig Murray, CDM Lawyers
Penelope Musgrave, Musgrave Legal
Peter O'Brien, O'Brien Solicitors
William O'Brien, William O'Brien & Ross Hudson Solicitors
Elie Rahme, Elie Rahme & Associates
Martin Ricci, The Law Practice
Alexandra Sarmed, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Abbas Soukie, Hanna Legal
Maggie Sten, George Sten & Co
Andrew Tiedt, Armstrong Legal
Sophie Toomey, Toomey Defence Lawyers
Stephen Zahr, Zahr Partners
2018 edition published August 2018
Preeminent
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Karen Espiner, Younes + Espiner
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Carol Younes, Younes + Espiner
Leading
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Leonardo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
John Sutton, Armstrong Legal
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Recommended
Patrick Conaghan, Conaghan Lawyers
Manny Conditsis, Conditsis Lawyers
Michelle Duncan, Crawford & Duncan
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
Christian Hearn, Hearn Legal
Erin Hoile, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Adrian Kiely, Adrian Kiely Legal
Kiki Kyriakou, Kiki Kyriacou Lawyers
Warwick Korn, Korn Macdougall
Graham Lamond, Lamond Legal
Sam Macedone, Macedone Legal
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Lawyers
John Marsh, Marsh Blom lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Craig Murray, CDM Lawyers
Peter O'Brien, O'Brien Solicitors
William O'Brien, O'Brien Hudson
James Payten, Ryan & Payten
Tracey Randall, Tracey Randall & Associates
Martin Ricci, The Law Practice
Robyn Richardson, Robyn Richardson Law
Alexandra Sarmed, Kingston Fox Lawyers
Andrew Tiedt, Armstrong Legal
Sophie Toomey, Toomey Defence Lawyers
William Vahl, North Shore Criminal Law
Christopher Watson, Watsons
2017 edition published August 2017
Preeminent
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Carol Younes, Younes + Espiner
Leading
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Karen Espiner, Younes + Espiner
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Christian Hearn, Hearn Legal
Sam Macedone, Macedone Legal
Brad Mallinson, Mallinson Rake
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Robyn Richardson, Robyn Richardson Law
John Sutton, Armstrong Legal
Recommended
Warwick Anderson, Anderson Boemi
Angelo Bilias, Bilias & Associates
Michelle Duncan, Crawford & Duncan
Vivian Evans, Uther Webster & Evans
Warwick Korn, Korn Macdougall
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Lawyers
Elias Matouk, Matouk Joyner
Craig Murray, CDM Lawyers
William O'Brien, O'Brien Hudson
Leonardo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
Tracey Randall, Tracey Randall & Associates
Martin Ricci, The Law Practice
Craig Robinson, Armstrong Legal
Phillip Ryan, Ryan & Payten
Brett Thomas, Macedone Legal
Sophie Toomey, Toomey Defence Lawyers
Maria Walz, Maria Walz Legal
Karen Weeks, CMH Law
2016 edition published September 2016
Preeminent
Greg Goold, Gregory J Goold Solicitor
Nick Hanna, Hanna Legal
John Sutton, Armstrong Legal
Carol Younes, Younes + Espiner
Leading
Abigail Bannister, Bannisters Lawyers
Michael Blair, Blair Criminal Lawyers
Michelle Duncan, Crawford & Duncan
Phillip Gibson, Nyman Gibson Miralis
David Giddy, Giddy & Crittenden
Benjamin Goh, Benjamin & Leonardo
Christian Hearn, Hearn Legal
Sam Macedone, Macedone Legal
Chaddy Mardini, Mardini Lawyers
Dennis Miralis, Nyman Gibson Miralis
William O'Brien, O'Brien Hudson
Justin Wong, Streeton Lawyers
Recommended
Warwick Anderson, Anderson Boemi Lawyers
Karen Espiner, Younes + Espiner
Jeannette Fahd, Just Defence
Pip Grant, Medcalf Grant
John Kahn, H&H Lawyers
Chris Murphy, Murphys Lawyers
Peter O'Brien, O'Brien Solicitors
James Payten, Philip Ryan Solicitors
Leo Premutico, Benjamin & Leonardo
Martin Ricci, The Law Practice
Robyn Richardson, Robyn Richardson Law
Philip Ryan, Philip Ryan Solicitors
Maggie Sten, George Sten & Co
Brett Thomas, Macedone Legal
Andrew Tiedt, Armstrong Legal
Sophie Toomey, Toomey Defence Lawyers