You know that winning sexual and family violence cases at trial is challenging, and being an effective advocate in the limited time available to showcase your case is crucial. This is your opportunity to hear from extraordinarily barristers and members of the Judiciary while exploring landmark cases. Gain expert analysis of the new non-strangulation legislation and youth justice updates.  Attend and gain essential knowledge in understanding forensic DNA evidence and practical skills for client management and handling ethical Issues. All you need to do is attend, either in person or online, to gain insights that will make your practice easier.

Presenters

Liam McAuliffe, Crown Prosecutor, Office of Public Prosecutions Victoria
Liam practises in public and administrative law, common law, regulatory law, quasi-criminal and criminal law. He regularly appears in the County Court and the Magistrates' Court. He has significant experience in matters under the Serious Offenders Act 2018, and under the Crimes Mental Impairment (Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997. Liam is experienced in regulatory prosecutions and in professional disciplinary matters. He also maintains an appellate practice relating to criminal law matters. He appears in coronial inquests, judicial review proceedings, public interest immunity matters, as well as confidentiality and suppression order proceedings. He also appears in VCAT in public law and human rights matters, merits review proceedings, privacy law and professional conduct matters. Liam in currently participating in the 2024 VLA Trial Counsel Development Program.


His Honour Judge Frank Gucciardo, County Court of Victoria


Robert Richter KC, Crockett Chambers
Robert is the former chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, former President of Victorian Council for Civil Liberties, former part-time Law Reform Commissioner for Victoria and former member of Bar Council. Joint Editor, with Ken Hayne (former Justice Hayne of the High Court), Melbourne University Law Review ;Signed Bar Roll in Victoria 1971; Appointed Queen’s Counsel 1985. He is a full time practice specialising in criminal law and associated fields; Adjunct Professor of Law at Victoria University since 2015.


Nick Jane, Partner, Stary Norton Halphen
Nick joined Stary Norton Halphen in 2015, having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University and a Juris Doctor from The University of Melbourne. Nick has completed internships in remote WA with the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia, and in Texas with anti-death penalty law firm GRACE.


Paul Galbally, Partner, Galbally O’Bryan
Paul Galbally is a partner at Galbally & O'Bryan as well as an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. He has been retained in some of the country's largest and complex criminal law proceedings which for the most part have involved white collar crime. He acted on behalf of a co-accused in the Elliott foreign exchange trial. He was retained in the Pro-Image proceeding and recently acted on behalf of Glenn Wheatley and is currently retained by Mr Andrew Lindberg, the former CEO of AWB, in regard to a civil penalty proceeding brought by ASIC and Mr Martin Kemp, a former director of ABC Learning Centres Ltd.


Sam Norton, Partner, Stary Norton Halphen
Sam Norton has over 20 years of experience in criminal law having been admitted to practice in 2001. He has been an accredited criminal law specialist since 2008 and a partner of Stary Norton Halphen since 2010. Sam has been recognised by Doyles Guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer for consecutive years and a Leading Criminal Lawyer in Australia. Throughout his career, Sam has handled thousands of serious cases. His decision making and advocacy are his primary areas of expertise. The majority of his work is for clients that are pleading not guilty, and Sam draws upon his skills as both a solicitor and advocate to defend people in contested hearings in the Magistrates’ Court, or before a Judge and Jury in the Supreme Court or County Court. He appears in trials and plea hearings for people charged with the full range of serious crimes including; murder and manslaughter, culpable and dangerous driving, drug importation and trafficking and serious sexual matters. He has significant experience in representing people accused of white collar crime including having acted in multiple foreign bribery cases and many fraud related matters. Sam is a mentor to many lawyers, both at Stary Norton Halphen and in the broader criminal law.


Philip Dunn KC, Barrister, Crockett Chambers
Philip Dunn QC has 40 years experience as a criminal barrister. He has appeared in many of Australia's most significant cases and inquiries. His clients have included John Elliot, Brian Quinn, Gary Ablett, Peter Walker, Maritza Wales-King, James Ramage, Alan Bond, Carmen Lawrence, Warren Anderson, John Kizon, WA Gypsy Jokers, WA Coffin Cheaters and Laree Jane. Philip has served as a member of the Bar Council for 10 years and has served on its executive committee and ethics and advocacy training committee. Philip is the Chairman of Foley's List and member of the Bar Association's Equality and Diversity Committee.


Emma Turnbull, Director, Emma Turnbull Lawyers
Emma Turnbull is a Director and founding partner of Emma Turnbull Lawyers Pty Ltd. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Monash University. Emma is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria having passed the examinations in 2014. Emma has dedicated her legal career to being a defence lawyer. A passionate and forceful advocate, Emma appears regularly in all courts across the Victorian criminal law jurisdiction. This includes appearing as Counsel and instructing solicitor in Supreme and County Court trials, mental impairment trials, County Court and Magistrates’ Court plea hearings and bail applications. Emma’s team of lawyers are in Court every day of the week and the office runs one of the largest practices of indictable crime and jury trials in Victoria. The firm is the largest criminal law firm headed by a female in Victoria. She is an industry leader and a forceful advocate for change and development of criminal law practice. Emma has been acknowledged year after year as a leading criminal defence lawyer in Doyle’s Annual Guide (as has the firm), has won ACQ Partner of the Year and is a current Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards. Emma continues to undertake professional development to refine her skills as an advocate and firm Director. During her time as an employee at some of Victoria’s largest criminal law firms, Emma had the opportunity to obtain experience, skills and knowledge that has enabled the firm to develop into the success that it is today. As a result of her consistently thorough preparation and commitment to achieve the best possible outcomes, Emma has established a large and loyal client base. She maintains an excellent network of experienced and highly regarded barristers and other forensic professionals who assist in the preparation of cases for court. Emma is admitted in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia. Emma maintains membership with the Law Institute of Victoria, is a former member of their Criminal Law Executive and current member of the General Criminal Law Committee. During her Masters of Law studies, she was a student representative on two academic committees at Monash University. Emma has completed postgraduate study and major research in Advanced Evidence, Sentencing, Corporate and White Collar Crime, Cybercrime, Terrorism and Children’s Laws. She is committed to ongoing professional development and this is evidenced by her excellent academic results.