Emma Turnbull is the Director and founding partner of Emma Turnbull Lawyers Pty Ltd, a leading criminal law firm in Victoria. She established the firm in 2011 after gaining extensive experience in specialist private practice criminal law firms across Melbourne.
Emma holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Monash University and became an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria in 2014.
A fearless and strategic advocate, Emma has handled thousands of serious criminal cases throughout her career. In recent years, her firm has run the largest number of trials in the Supreme Court criminal list, reflecting a dedication to complex and high-stakes litigation. Her forensic decision-making and strong advocacy set her apart. Emma is also highly skilled in negotiation and resolving matters where appropriate.
Emma has been consistently recognized in Doyle’s Annual Guide as a leading criminal defence lawyer, alongside her firm. Her accolades include ACQ Partner of the Year, 2024 Lawyers Weekly Wellness Advocate of the Year, and multiple finalist placements in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards and the Australian Law Awards (2021-2024).
Emma regularly appears in all courts across Victoria, with her team of dedicated criminal defence lawyers representing firm clients in court every day of the week. She has cultivated a strong network of highly regarded barristers and forensic experts, ensuring meticulous preparation for every case.
Beyond her legal work, Emma is an active voice on LinkedIn, engaging in discussions on criminal law, justice, and policy. She is also a committed mentor and advocate for improving professional standards in the legal industry.
Emma is admitted in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia. She is available on a consultancy basis for firm business management and can be briefed as an agent for court matters.
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 is currently undertaking Doctoral Studies.
A passionate and fearless 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 was a 2022 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.
Our client was charged with a historical double homicide of a former partner and her new lover. The case was complex, with transcripts from previous coroner’s court hearings, deceased witnesses and DNA evidence all relevant. Like all homicides, this was heard in the Supreme Court. After extensive cross examination and pre-trial challenges to the admissibility of evidence, the State Director of Public Prosecutions discontinued the charges following a written submissions on behalf of our client. The discontinuance was announced in open Court in the Supreme Court at Melbourne in 2023.
Our young male client was charged with rape following an evening with a girl he met at a party. There were issues of consent, intoxication, honesty, accuracy and credibility of evidence. This matter proceeded as a trial before a jury in La Trobe Valley County Court. The prosecution alleged rape had occurred after the complainant withdrew consent. We challenged that in cross examination and ultimately the jury found our client was not guilty (based on belief in consent).
This recent case involved almost every sphere of violent crime. Our client was charged with a complex set of charges following an evening of unprecedented violence. He initially faced attempted murder, aggravated car-jacking, an extended police chase, arson, negligently causing serious injury charges plus others. The client had made full and extensive admissions and a large amount of the various incidents were captured on CCTV. This was a complex case to negotiate and manage, given the victims included his brother (the subject of the attempted murder charge) and the car stolen in the aggravated car jacking was a police vehicle taken at gun point. This case demonstrates my ability to manage very serious and complex matters and distil the issues and achieve excellent negotiated outcomes even where the evidence is overwhelming. Our client was sentenced in the County Court at Melbourne.
Other awarded criminal lawyers
Lauren Cassimatis
Sam Norton
Emma Turnbull
Adrian Lewin
Louise Conwell
Jasmine Piasale
Nick Tehan
Domenic Care
Damian McNally
