Analysis

Bruce Lehrmann’s lawyer, Mark O’Brien, is on a losing streak

Losses in high-profile cases have experts wondering if Sydney’s client-friendly defamation culture is changing.

Aaron PatrickSenior correspondent

Apr 16, 2024 – 7.58pm

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Around legal circles, Mark O’Brien is known as much for combative letter writing as his clients’ notoriety. Recently, those clients have received an unpleasant lesson: defamation lawsuits can destroy tarnished reputations rather than restore them.

Last week, Nine Entertainment Co’s legal department received a $1.2 million cheque from performer Craig McLachlan, who unsuccessfully sued the newspaper publisher, and the ABC, for accusing him of sexual impropriety.

Aaron Patrick is the senior correspondent. He writes about politics and business from the Sydney newsroom. Email Aaron at apatrick@afr.com