Gold Coast criminal defence lawyers: Who’s who in Southport Courthouse
Southport courthouse sees the same faces defending people on criminal charges day in and day out. Here, in no particular order, are some of Southport’s better known criminal defence solicitors. READ THE FULL LIST
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SOUTHPORT courthouse sees the same faces defending people on criminal charges day in and day out.
Each of the lawyers have their own unique experiences and backgrounds.
Here, in no particular order, are some of Southport’s best known criminal defence solicitors.
Bill Potts
One of the most experienced criminal lawyers in the state, Bill Potts has served as the Queensland Law Society (QLS) president twice since 2016.
Mr Potts is not seen in the courtroom as often as he once was but is still director of his law firm, Potts Lawyers.
Despite no longer being QLS president Mr Potts remains vocal about new laws introduced and other legal issues such as consorting laws, the need for a Supreme Court in Southport and issues affecting the profession.
Jason Jacobson
Jason Jacobson has made his mark on the city defending a wide array of high-profile clients.
From a lifeguard accused of running over tourists on a beach, a woman who released a sex tape with a Bronco and ex-bikie Jason Trouchet, who was a part of the Broadbeach bikie brawl.
Last year Mr Jacobson represented bikie Shane Bowden on his COVID breaches just days before the Fink-turned-Mongol-turned-Fink was shot execution-style.
Mr Jacobson and his business partner Darren Mahony started their firm Jacobson Mahony in 2001.
At the time they were the only Gold Coast firm practising exclusively in private client criminal defence law.
Chris Nyst
Chris Nyst made a name for himself defending high-profile clients such as the Postcard Bandit Brenden Abbott, Peter Foster and Mick Gatto.
It was that experience which helped him write the award-winning crime movie Gettin’ Square.
Mr Nyst still runs his firm alongside his two sons, Brendan and Jonathan.
Campbell MacCallum
Currently one of the most controversial figures in the Gold Coast legal fraternity, Campbell MacCallum made his name for his vocal opposition against the LNP’s harsh bikie law and representing rugby league stars, convicted double murderer Lionel Patea, accused Mongols bikie Harley Barbaro and a number of gangland figures.
A Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into his firm, Moloney MacCallum Abdelshahied Lawyers, led to him being charged with money laundering, fraud, possessing dangerous drugs and supplying dangerous drugs. It is still before the courts.
About the charges, Mr MacCallum said: “I will let the justice do its work. In the meantime, I’m 100 per cent focused on looking after our clients and the team at Moloney MacCallum.
“I’m grateful to everyone in particular my family, close friends and counsel for their love and support.”
Michael Gatenby
The father-of-two has represented characters such as alleged Mongols national president Nick “The Knife” Forbes.
Mr Gatenby, who has a reputation for cracking a joke in the middle of a court hearing, started his firm, Gatenby Criminal Lawyers, almost a decade ago.
Dave Garratt
The former soldier has been on the Gold Coast for 10 years, representing a wide variety of clients.
In 2017 he represented ex-soldier Chris Carter when he was acquitted for a double murder.
Last year former Brisbane Broncos NRL coach Anthony Seibold hired Mr Garratt to act for him when unsubstantiated rumours began circulating about him online.
Mr Garratt is the managing partner for Howden Saggers Lawyers which has offices in Southport and Brisbane.
Jodi Allen
Ms Allen went to Griffith University before getting her start as an article clerk with Bill Potts.
She now is one of two directors, with Lisa Searing, of the Gold Coast’s only all-female criminal law firm.
Ms Allen has represented a wide variety of clients and in 2010 represented Susan Falls who was acquitted of murdering her husband. Ms Allen was able to prove Ms Falls had suffered domestic violence at the hands of her husband for years.
She also represented former Miss Indy model-turned-prosecutor Rosanna Doolan who faced allegations she corruptly interfered with her ex-lover’s road rage court case. She pleaded guilty to one count of abuse of public office and one count of abuse of office for personal gain.
Danielle Heable
Bond University alum Danielle Heable has made her name in recent years representing accused members of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The Dib & Associates senior associate is representing the alleged national president of the Lone Wolf motorcycle gang, Brodie Singh, who is accused of murdering ex-bikie Shane Ross. Singh has not yet been required to enter a plea.
Ms Heable’s other high-profile clients include Christopher Paul Lowden who was in the Southport unit with Bronson “Lizard Man” Ellery when he beat his former partner Shelsea Schilling to death.
Ashkan Tai
Ashkan Tai’s admission to the legal profession stumbled at the first hurdle when his ability to practice was hampered by an assault when he was a teenager.
He received no conviction for the incident but it was enough for the New South Wales courts to refuse his admission.
He applied in Queensland 18 months later and a panel of judges found the work he had done in rehabilitation was enough to grant him permission.
Mr Tai now owns his own firm and often draws on his experience to help identify with clients.
He has represented a number of high-profile clients since his admission, including a number of alleged bikies.
Mr Tai is currently representing Luke Maidment, a police officer accused of doing cocaine during a birthday party in a penthouse at the Darling Hotel. Maidment has not entered a plea.
Chris Hannay
A former New South Wales police officer Chris Hannay will often use his experience on the opposite side to help advocate for his clients.
Mr Hannay established Hannay Lawyers in Southport and the firm has expanded to have an office in Brisbane, run by his son Daniel Hannay.
Many Gold Coast lawyers got their start at Hannay Lawyers before moving to establish their own firms.
Mr Hannay has represented clients from all walks of life.
Dan Rawlings
A relative newcomer to the Gold Coast, Dan Rawlings started his legal career in New Zealand.
Mr Rawlings established his firm, Rawlings Criminal Law, in late 2018 and has represented a wide range of clients.
He is representing Jarvis Farrier who is accused of the stabbing murder of 17-year-old Harrison Geppert in a Varsity Lakes park in September last year. Farrier has not entered a plea.
Jason Grant
Jason Grant has established himself as one of the go-to lawyers on the Gold Coast for boiler-room fraud cases.
He has represented a number of people accused of running boiler-room scams, including Mrunal Parekh who is before the courts for his part in an alleged cold-calling scheme.
Parekh has denied the allegations but is yet to enter a plea.
Mr Grant started practising in 2013 at Hannay Lawyers before more recently establishing his own firm, Grant Lawyers.
He represents alleged Lone Wolf bikie Nathan Miller who is accused of murdering ex-bikie Shane Ross. Miller has not entered a plea.
When not at work Mr Grant enjoys the outdoors, and in particular boating and fishing.
Michael McMillan
Bundall-based Michael McMillan appears in courts across Queensland and NSW.
He has acted for a number of people charged with child-sex offences, including a man who appeared in a Southport court after allegedly telling a 14-year-old girl he was accused of raping that he would “put her in a grave” if she told anyone.
The 37-year-old man was later hit in the head with a cane in a vigilante attack outside the courthouse.
Years earlier, Mr McMillan acted for former Logan police constable David Edward MacFarlane, who pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to sexually assaulting two female neighbours in their homes while he was off-duty.
The solicitor also appears on criminal matters including murder, drug offences and fraud.
In 2017, represented Edward Lord who was accused of killing his wife of 25 years, Michele Lee Lord, when the car they were driving plunged into the Tweed River four years ago. Lord was found guilty for Ms Lord’s death and sentenced to 10 years and eight months jail with a non-parole period of eight years.
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Originally published as Gold Coast criminal defence lawyers: Who’s who in Southport Courthouse
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