Sherleen Chand is the Principal Lawyer of Criminal Lawyers Sydney and is widely recognised as a highly sought-after criminal defence lawyer with an exceptional track record in serious and complex criminal matters.

Ms Chand has successfully defended clients facing allegations including murder, intent to murder, manslaughter, aggravated sexual assault, large-scale fraud, and commercial drug importation, supply, and manufacture offences. She is known for her strategic thinking, meticulous preparation, and fearless courtroom advocacy.

Respected by Judges, Magistrates, police, and DPP prosecutors alike, Ms Chand is frequently able to persuade prosecutors to withdraw criminal proceedings entirely or accept significantly reduced charges, even in cases where the prosecution evidence initially appears strong.

Ms Chand’s extensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure has been demonstrated in numerous high-profile matters. In one particularly complex murder investigation involving multiple co-accused, she worked closely with the NSW Homicide Squad and successfully negotiated an induced statement arrangement, ultimately resulting in her client not being charged.

She has also appeared in serious jury trials involving aggravated sexual assault allegations, including matters concerning children, where her detailed preparation and advocacy contributed to her client being acquitted on all counts.

In another notable matter, Ms Chand represented a client charged with stabbing a police officer in the execution of duty. Through careful preparation, expert psychiatric evidence, and a strategic mental illness defence in a judge-alone trial, she secured a verdict of not guilty by reason of mental illness.

Ms Chand has also achieved exceptional outcomes in serious drug matters. In one commercial drug supply case, she negotiated extensively with the Director’s office through detailed written representations, successfully reducing the matter to a drug possession charge finalised in the Local Court, where no criminal conviction was ultimately recorded.

She is highly experienced in interlocutory proceedings, including bail applications and committal hearings, and has achieved favourable outcomes in cases where clients were previously advised that success was unlikely. This includes obtaining bail in commercial drug importation matters involving quantities exceeding 300 kilograms, as well as securing Supreme Court bail for a client extradited from Thailand facing serious and highly publicised sexual assault allegations.

Ms Chand also has significant experience representing young people in Children’s Court proceedings, including serious robbery and co-accused matters. Through detailed preparation and strategic advocacy, she has successfully helped clients avoid criminal convictions and minimise long-term consequences.

Known for her ability to analyse extensive evidence, identify weaknesses in prosecution cases, and develop effective defence strategies, Ms Chand consistently achieves strong outcomes across a broad range of criminal matters.

In addition to complex indictable matters, she regularly represents clients in Local Court proceedings involving assaults, drug offences, fraud, larceny, Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs), drink and drug driving matters, driving whilst disqualified, negligent driving, and licence appeals.

Ms Chand’s clients benefit from her professionalism, dedication, strategic advocacy, and unwavering determination. She is regarded as a formidable courtroom lawyer and an integral member of Sydney’s leading criminal defence community.