ATSILS senior criminal lawyer Lyle Parker retires after 40 year career

After four decades of passionate advocacy for Queensland’s most vulnerable people and significant contributions to justice, including his work with ATSILS and the Fitzgerald Inquiry, respected lawyer Lyle Parker has retired.

ATSILS senior criminal lawyer Lyle Parker retires after 40-year career.

An award-winning and much-loved lawyer, known for his relentless passion for justice across southeast Queensland, has completed his last day at the bar table after a remarkable 40 years.

The highlights of Lyle Parker’s career were almost too many to list but included a major contribution to the Fitzgerald Inquiry, serving as Deputy Solicitor for Prosecutions and regional manager for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS), providing mentorship to many serving District and Supreme Court Judges, as well as the current Director of Public Prosecutions.

Born in 1951, Mr Parker began his career after graduating from the University of Sydney in 1979.

He joined the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service in 1984.

Mr Parker said when he started at ATSILS there were only three criminal lawyers representing clients.

Lyle Parker in 1987. Photo: Supplied.

“I was there back before many (current) staff were even born,” Mr Parker said.

“Workloads were demanding with burn-out a common occurrence, with few lawyers

staying more than 18 months.

“There I remained until September 1988 and in that time advocated for a Royal Commission into prisons, with the Kennedy Royal Commission eventuating in the early 1990s.’’

Mr Parker then took a visit to “the other side” for a decade as a Deputy Solicitor for the Department of Prosecutions.

“I took this position, not only to gain further experience, but to assist in the return of Public confidence in the Justice system,” he said.

In 2000, Mr Parker returned to ATSILS until his retirement this week.

ATSILS Director of Criminal Law Lewis Shillito said Mr Parker was known as “the bail king”.

“Mostly because he would get bail for clients in circumstances where no one else could feasibly do so,” Mr Shillito said.

“He would literally talk Magistrates into submission, simply not relenting until they did as he asked.

“He is unwaveringly temperate and professional in his dealings with all clients, no matter how volatile they may be, prosecutors, no matter how painful they at times may be and certainly the bench.’’

Mr Parker completed the final day of his career at Cleveland Magistrates Court this week.

In 2011, Lyle was awarded the ATSILS’ inaugural ‘Lisa Watson Memorial Award’.

Mr Shillito said Mr Parker’s most stand-out qualities were his compassion and resilience.

“He has an inordinate personal leave balance because he rarely would take a sick day,’’ he said.

“He believes fiercely in working hard to achieve the best outcomes for all of our clients.

“He would give clients money for transport or food if they needed it.

“He regularly attended the jails on weekends to see clients he just couldn’t get to during the week.’’

Mr Parker said he would miss no longer helping people.

“I’ve only ever seen the purpose of law to resolve issues in a fair and just way, with a view to helping both the person before the law and the community at large,” he said.

“The extent to which I could do this has been the best part of being a criminal lawyer, both as a defence lawyer and prosecutor.’’

Cleveland Police Prosecutor Angela Tetley said she took pleasure working with Mr Parker.

“He shows nothing but tenacity for all of his clients,” Sgt Tetley said.

 ATSILS Principal Legal Officer Greg Shadbolt said Mr Parker’s well-deserved retirement saw the departure of a true legend.

“He is a lionhearted and consummate professional who was all about ‘service to others’ - especially the most vulnerable,’’ he said.

“Lyle will always remain an integral part of the ATSILS family- indeed, it is people such as he, who make us all proud to be part of that same family.’’