Kiki Kyriacou was admitted as a Solicitor in 1997 and founded KK Lawyers in 2006. He has predominantly specialised in criminal law and has achieved recognition as a leading criminal defence lawyer. He has been featured in various media publications, including “Masters of Defence” and obtained the status of Sydney’s preeminent criminal defence lawyer in the Doyle’s Guide.

During his career he has had the opportunity to be involved in some of Sydney’s most high-profile criminal trials, which have received extensive media coverage dating back to 2000.

Not only has he extensive experience in the Local, District, Supreme and Appellate Courts, he has also appeared in Parole Board and Crime Commission hearings.

Kiki Kyriacou has developed and maintained long standing client relationships, spanning decades that have been built on trust and commitment.

He has an unwavering commitment to his clients to ensure the best possible outcome.

I was first admitted to practice in 2001 having graduated with the equivalent of first class honours at UNSW. While at law school I won the Law Book Company Prize for Criminal Laws and the Minter Ellison Prize for Trial Process making it clear what my future professional career was going to be. Before being admitted, I appeared as a law clerk in most criminal jurisdictions up to the NSW CCA. I lectured at UNSW Law School in the areas of evidence, litigation, and criminal procedure and worked for Stephen Odgers SC on an early edition of Uniform Evidence Law. I was also the foundational editor of the Australian Journal of Human Rights. Since being admitted I have been published on human rights and sexual assault law, and presented CLE papers on practice and procedure at the NSW and Australian Crime Commissions.

 Since 2004, I have been in continuous practice as the principal of Katsoolis + Co. Solicitors + Attorneys, a Sydney-based law firm specialising in high level criminal defence. For over twenty years when you engage me you get me and my experience and expertise from the beginning of your case to the end. I have successfully defended every type of crime in the criminal calendar at all court levels including the High Court of Australia and have featured in numerous best criminal lawyer lists in the news media. The firm prides itself on not just following precedent but making it. I hit the ground running with a succession of successfully defended high profile criminal matters particularly murder and large scale drug supply and have made my name as a serious crime specialist ever since. In 2021 and 2022, I was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards in the Sole Practitioner category, the only criminal lawyer to have done so.

I have run matters in just about every court in New South Wales from Bega to Broken Hill. I have also successfully defended criminal matters in every other Australian State and Territory. I have acted in matters in Asia, the United States, and even Sweden (for a client charged with impersonating George Young of Vanda & Young / AC DC).

I have appeared in related jurisdictions such as the Children's Court, the State Parole Authority, the Coroner's Court, the Federal Court, the Mental Health Review Tribunal, as well as in RMS, EPA, Workcover, ASADA, RMS, and ATO prosecutions. I have acted in investigative bodies such as the Crime Commission, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the ICAC. I have also conducted proceedings in family law, employment law, administrative law, personal injury claims (particularly against the State), intellectual property and defamation proceedings. Wherever the litigation is difficult and heavy, I am here to help to achieve absolute wonders for the client. As a testament to my profession repuation and proven track record, I am now acting for third generations of families and routinely accept referrals from the Bench and the profession.

Paul McGirr is renowned as one of the leading criminal defence lawyers in New South Wales. As principal of McGirr & Associates Pty Ltd, he has a particular specialisation in criminal defence law and civil litigation with a lengthy track record of successful results for clients particularly against law enforcement agencies.

Paul McGirr has appeared in some of the highest profile criminal matters in the state. He has appeared in almost all law courts in New South Wales and has an extensive country circuit practice in addition to his busy Sydney practice. He has also appeared in various commissions including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the NSW Crime Commission, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. These testaments have been confirmed by not only his peers but also media agencies involved in the reporting of such matters.

Further to this, McGirr & Associates is on all major panels for the Legal Aid Commission, including the serious indictable panel and Children's panel.

Mr McGirr is a decorated former NSW Police officer and prosecutor and has practised as a criminal defence lawyer since 2009. He is a tireless and dynamic solicitor advocate in and out of court, never afraid to give frank and fearless advice to clients or make difficult submissions on their behalf. He has also been a member of the Law Society of NSW's Criminal Law Committee on a number of occasions over the last decade.

Nick Hanna is widely recognised as one of the leading criminal defence lawyers in New South Wales, having appeared in many of the State’s most high-profile and complex matters. Based in Sydney, he also regularly represents clients in interstate jurisdictions including Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.

Nick represents individual and corporate clients and has an exemplary track record of defending persons facing charges across the spectrum of offences. He has never lost a murder trial, including several cases where the prosecution was ordered to pay the legal costs of his clients following their acquittals. While Nick often represents well known individuals such as celebrities, athletes and company executives, he is also passionate in fighting for the “little guy” and those who face disadvantage in the criminal justice system. Nick has significant expertise in AVO applications, parole hearings, Crime Commission proceedings and coronial inquests, appearing for defendants, complainants, witnesses and other interested parties.

In addition to his broad criminal and quasi-criminal law practice, Nick has extensive experience in civil litigation and professional disciplinary matters. He has acted in various civil matters that have generated media attention including civil claims brought against the NSW Police Force as well as successful applications for injunctive relief brought in the Supreme Court on behalf of Uber. He has advised and appeared for numerous medical practitioners and solicitors against whom claims of misconduct have been made.

Nick has developed a reputation for his exceptional work ethic, professionalism and advanced legal strategies. In every year from 2016-2022, he has been listed as one of Sydney’s preeminent criminal defence lawyers in the Doyle’s Guide. Nick has also been selected as a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Criminal Law Partner of the Year Award on multiple occasions. He has been described by the Daily Telegraph as one of Sydney’s top criminal lawyers as well as one of Sydney’s “masters of defence”.

Robert Daoud’s maiden voyage into law was instructing counsel for the family in the Brimble Coronial Inquest. Since then, he owned and operated Sydney’s premier mentions practice, appearing in thousands of matters in every jurisdiction.

Robert went on to specialise in Criminal Law and Traffic Law, and is a fierce advocate for his clients, obtaining the best possible outcomes in their cases including countless section 10s on guilty pleas; a suspended sentence for a $1 million fraud; and most recently, a not guilty verdict in the Queensland bikie ‘super trial’. Robert has also appeared on television, radio and print media with reference to his matters or on request of his legal opinion.

If it’s uncompromising legal representation you need, look no further.

Josh McKenzie was admitted as a solicitor in 2007. Shortly after, he completed his Masters in Law and joined the New South Wales Police Force. He is now one of two Directors at McKenzie McLoughlin Criminal Defence Lawyers, with offices located in Sydney CBD and Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

As a practising solicitor, Josh joined the Police Prosecutions Command where he appeared in thousands of matters both in Sydney’s District Court and also various Local Courts across the State. Josh was the Senior Prosecutor at Manly Local Court for approximately five years and was also a member of the Major Incident Legal Advice Group, providing specialised legal advice and assistance in respect of high profile incidents and events in NSW.

After years of prosecuting and advancing his skills as a Court advocate, Josh joined a Sydney Detective’s office where he further advanced his knowledge and experience in relation to criminal investigation techniques.

Josh’s dedication to his work, his tenacity as an advocate, and his overall experience as an investigator, prosecutor and defence lawyer, provide the perfect ingredients for legal representation in any criminal matter, including:

•  Drug possession and drug supply offences.
• Sexual assault allegations.
• Assaults, including allegations of domestic violence.
• Fraud and embezzlement offences.
• Drink driving offences.
• Weapons offences.
• Driving offences.
• Apprehended Violence Orders (AVO’s).

As part of his service to you, Josh will be able to quickly assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and will provide you with sound, efficient and honest legal advice. In addition, Josh has access to the finest legal counsel in the State.

Mark Kryakos, has earned a reputation as a tenacious lawyer with a special interest in fierce advocacy and skilful negotiation. He is confident, charismatic and understanding, with a wealth of expertise in fighting for and achieving results in both general and complex matters.

Mark appears in Criminal and Family Law Courts around Australia on a daily basis, and regularly volunteers his time to causes which he is passionate about. He is a regular presenter at the SAVE Traffic Offenders Program and has also volunteered at the former Nepean Hawkesbury Family Law Service.

Jason Benjamin Pham, being closely mentored by former Supreme Court Justice, Brian Sully AM QC at university, Jason begun his career at a prominent class-action firm which also dealt with criminal cases, representing high profile individuals, musicians and sport stars. Jason dealt with predominantly criminal cases and in general practice. Shortly after his stint at this first firm, Jason joined one of the preeminent criminal law firms in Sydney. One of Jason’s first bail applications came from a case involving a 5kg importation of heroin. It was a matter with over 6 co-offenders who had already been sentenced and who had all received minimum gaol sentences ranging from 6 years to 14 years. Jason’s client was the exception, and he managed to successfully have his client released on bail and months later the charges were withdrawn on the basis of a complex constitutional argument. At this firm Jason managed and led many serious cases and was the instructing solicitor in a manslaughter case with 4 co-accused. Jason’s client was found not guilty by a jury.

After excelling at criminal defence and moving forward with his own unique style combining determination, tenacity, a deep understanding of the law and human nature, Jason then became a partner at another firm and at present, manages his own practice at JBP Law in located in the heart of Parramatta. It is understood that over 90% of his cases are serious drug related cases.

Throughout his rise through the ranks of the legal industry, Jason has notably defended a very high number of serious drug cases ranging from large commercial quantity drug supply to the various types of offences involving the commercial quantity of drug importation. Both the state and commonwealth charges that he deals with are considered to be of the most serious types of drug supply in the country.

Some notable recent cases which Jason appeared in include the 600kg ‘Sriracha Meth Bust’ which was a widely publicised case at the time of the many arrests. There were many different accused persons that were charged directly or indirectly as a result of this case. What was less publicised was that Jason’s client, after a long and hard fought trial, was found to be not guilty by a jury.

In another high-stakes case, Jason defended a client who was charged with supplying 216kg of cocaine. Demonstrating his unique style, Jason appeared alone at court without a barrister and fought for his client to be released from custody where bail was subsequently granted to his client, achieving an exceptional initial result. The ultimate outcome of this case? An intensive corrections order’, which means there was no actual gaol time for his client.

In his ongoing cases, Jason continues to showcase his unwavering dedication to justice and fighting fearlessly for his client. In another example of one of Jason’s many experiences in serious drug cases - after successfully being granted bail for a client charged with the importation of 15kg of methamphetamine last year, Jason and his team are now gearing up for trial, determined to provide the strongest possible defence.

These are just a few examples of Jason’s accomplishments in the world of criminal law. As a top criminal lawyer, Jason is found often either working cases by himself or with talented barristers and Senior Counsel. Whatever the case requires, Jason has proven time and again that he has the expertise, passion, and resolve needed to defend clients in even the most daunting circumstances.

Carla Velasquez started her career in a specialised Criminal Defence law firm in Sydney. She has appeared in summary and strictly indictable matters since 2012. She works closely with both Junior and Senior Counsel in all criminal offences including both State and Federal offences.

She has appeared in matters in the Court of Criminal Appeal as well as the High Court.

Her favorite area of law in particular is the law surrounding manslaughter and issues of extended joint criminal enterprise and manslaughter by way of unlawful and dangerous act.

She believes that transparency, empathy and thorough communication with clients is the best way to ensure that clients receive legal advice that is accurate, effective and timely.

Ms Velasquez is a member of the Legal Aid complex crime panel reflecting her experience in Criminal Law Practice.

Our previous clients in their reviews often mention that they received outcomes which exceeded their expectations and that Ms Velasquez was passionate, confident and knowledgeable. Over-preparedness is another hallmark of her and her firms’ work.

She was also featured in the Daily Telegraph article “Sydney’s Best Young Criminal Lawyers”. Sydney's Best Young Criminal Lawyers.

Danilo Rajkovic is an experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer having worked in all areas of the Criminal Justice System. He has extensive experience in criminal local court matters, instructing in Trials in the District Court, Appeals to the Court of Criminal Appeal (Supreme Court) and special leave applications to the High Court.

Danilo Rajkovic has a strong relationship with some of the most prominent Lawyers and Barristers in New South Wales having instructed in many complex Criminal Trials and Appeals including notable murder and terrorism cases. He has personally appeared in thousands of bail applications, sentences and appeals to the District Court achieving excellent results for countless clients.

Sylvie Houston is an admitted Lawyer of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and a current member of the New South Wales Law Society, Central Coast Law Society, Women’s Justice Network, Diverse Women in Law and the Defence Lawyers NSW association.

Sylvie has practised exclusively in criminal law for several years.

As part of Sylvie’s qualifications, she completed 2, five-year bachelor’s degrees in just 3 years at the University of New England. She graduated with distinctions in her Bachelor of Laws and high distinctions in her Bachelor of Criminology. She also undertook a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at The College of Law.

After school, Sylvie joined the police force, in a bid to make a difference in the community, since she grew up in Mt Druitt the police were never far away.

Since then, Sylvie’s qualifications both in Law and Criminology have resulted in her acquiring excellent research skills having an admiration for criminal defence law, which she uses every day to ensure no stone is left unturned in a client’s matter and that all possible legal arguments and defences are thoroughly explored.

Sylvie is well versed in drafting legal pleadings and letters of correspondence and all other legal applications necessary to ensure a client’s case is given the very best legal representation for the best possible outcome.

Sylvie strives to be a fierce advocate in all criminal law-related matters; she has undertaken advanced advocacy skills training and regularly appears in all Courts across New South Wales. A few examples of her advocacy skills are represented in cases both with the Local and District Court, where she has successfully had criminal charges withdrawn for lack of evidence, lack of jurisdiction, criminal charges downgraded, and no further proceedings submissions upheld.

Some examples of Sylvie’s successful legal arguments and cases was a recent case in Mittagong where a young man was charged with serious sexual assaults against a child when he was 20 years old. These types of offences generally result in a lengthy prison sentence. Sylvie took on the case and successfully negotiated with the ODPP to downgrade and reduce the charges and then proceeded to make a sentencing submission that resulted in no prison time and rehabilitation instead in the community. A case that gripped the small town of Mittagong, resulting in media coverage for the underheard-of sentence imposed without a prison term attached.

Another case was a grievous bodily harm with intent charge, a serious charge in our Crimes Act that carries a term of imprisonment of maximum 25 years. Sylvie again took on this complex matter and proceeded to do her own criminal investigation not satisfied the police had the right person. She visited the scene, interviewing neighbours police had not, even tracking one neighbour to her new address of Texas in the United States. She obtained affidavits from 5 independent neighbours in the area and then represented to police that they had the wrong guy. The police overwhelmed with her investigation asked Sylvie for all the statements to which she declined but instead represented to police to withdraw all the charges lest face a trial and cost awarded to the defence. The police agreed and withdrew all charges even prior to election to the ODPP. These are but two (2) examples of Sylvie’s diligent and persistent defence of her clients no matter what the charge.

Sylvie also speaks fluently in English and Spanish to better assist the Latin American community members.

Apart from law, Sylvie enjoys the simple pleasures of life, family outings with her now-adult daughter, tendering her garden and walking along the beautiful coastlines of the great State of NSW. Sylvie has also travelled extensively and enjoys learning and experiencing new cultures.