How to choose the best lawyer in Sydney.

In Criminal law the right lawyer means the right fit. Most criminal law clients have complex subjective features. This means that they have a colourful past or present. In order to truly defend the person it is extremely important to spend the time on the case.   

Established practices that have higher overheads and can grossly over charge. Numbers provide most of their billable hours. In these firms they often don't really know your matter.

If you call your lawyer and they don't know your brief back to front, let alone your name then be worried. If they do not return your calls or don't listen to you, be worried. Don't be fooled by grand offices, listen to their advice and if it sounds like corners are being cut question it straight away. Lawyers are only as good as their client's brief which is why adequate preparation for each matter is what makes the best lawyer on the day.


Big firms often take on as many matters as possible to increase revenue. They are also inclined to make a junior work on the matter and these lawyers are usually so overworked they make mistakes. If a junior makes a mistake a partner will have to take on the work to resolve the matter. This passes the cost onto the client despite some of those 'mistakes' being irreversible. Mistakes you have paid for.

Beware of the marketing budget. Quite often the most truthful review is from word of mouth and not from heavily advertised content and websites. Your first hit on google is the best marketer or best advertising spender. Not necessarily the best lawyer. The best most esteemed Senior Counsel and Queens Counsel barristers are usually the best or most accomplished lawyers, however they remain largely low profile with the general public. The most well known solicitors by the general public are usually not renowned for their own legal work but for their ability to run a busy firm with high revenue and public presence.