Matthew Laba: Law Society says solicitor unlicensed, court hears

In scenes reminiscent of TV drama Suits, a Sydney man has been accused of acting for a Bondi influencer in court while he was not licensed to practise law. Find out what happened.

According to LinkedIn, Matthew Laba is a junior associate. Photo: Linkedin

A Sydney man subject to a bombshell claim he was not licensed to practise law while he was representing an influencer in court has been revealed to not have a NSW practising certificate.

In shocking scenes reminiscent of the popular American television drama Suits, a hearing at Downing Centre Local Court on January 24 was interrupted when it was alleged Matthew Laba was not licensed as a solicitor of the NSW Supreme Court.

Mr Laba was, at the time, halfway through representing NU Health Cafe owner Lucas Azzopardi, who was defending a charge of contravening an apprehended violence order.

The Southern Courier does not suggest Azzopardi was in any way aware of claims his solicitor was – in fact – not a solicitor at all.

Lucas Azzopardi outside Downing Centre with lawyer Matthew Laba.

The Law Society of NSW has now confirmed Mr Laba does not have a current practising certificate in NSW.

“The Law Society of NSW is required by law to keep a register of those Australian lawyers to whom it grants a local practising certificate,” the organisation said in a statement.

“According to the register, Matthew Laba does not hold a current NSW practising certificate granted by the Law Society Council.”

Mr Laba works for a Sydney law firm, and a spokesman told the Southern Courier the firm was previously unaware of the allegations and was investigating the incident.

The hearing was well underway when the bombshell claim was made, with both Mr Laba and the prosecutor having questioned the officer in charge of Azzopardi’s matter, on the witness stand.

It had been alleged Azzopardi was at a nightclub when he had attempted to have “multiple conversations” with a woman he was prohibited from speaking to because of an AVO.

Matthew Laba with a client outside Sutherland Local Court on October 4, 2022. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Mr Laba told the court he had been advised he could not continue to act in the matter while the certificate issue was unresolved.

Mr Brender was hesitant to vacate the matter, saying a witness had been waiting to resolve the matter for seven months.

“If you know more than what you’re telling me, then tell me, are you a solicitor of the Supreme Court?” the magistrate asked Mr Laba.

The “junior associate” pointed towards a possible “suspension” as the reason for his certificate not appearing in the registry.

“It may be you’re an innocent party … I want to try and work it out without wasting too much court time,” Mr Brender said.

The matter was ultimately adjourned to February 3 to fix a new hearing date.

“Somebody should investigate this … the court has wasted a hearing date … and resources,” Magistrate Brender said.