Lawyer Adam Houda defending sexual harassment case brought by Hana Seraphim

Lawyer Adam Houda has made a career acting in some of the state’s leading court cases. Now he is defending himself against allegations by a fellow lawyer.

Adam Houda and NRL star Blake Ferguson outside court in 2013. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

A high-profile lawyer is defending allegations by another lawyer he sexually harassed her while she was working as a student in his office.

Solicitor Adam Houda has acted in some of the state’s most noteworthy legal cases — ranging from accused terrorists to rugby league stars such as Blake Ferguson — and is an outspoken campaigner for social justice inside and outside the courtroom.

Now the 49-year-old is fighting his own legal battle after fellow criminal lawyer Hana Seraphim accused him of sexually harassing her when she was a work experience student at his Sydney firm, Lawyers Corp, during a stint that ended in 2021.

Ms Seraphim, who now works as a prosecuting lawyer, has launched legal action against Mr Houda in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal in a sexual harassment and victimisation claim.

It is understood Mr Houda vehemently denies the allegations and is preparing to strongly contest the case.

Lawyer Hana Seraphim after being admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. Picture: Instagram

Ms Seraphim has launched a sexual harassment case in NCAT. Picture: Instagram

Mr Houda did not return calls on Saturday and instead referred questions to his lawyer Bill Kalantzis, who did not respond to questions.

Ms Seraphim declined to comment.

On Wednesday, Tribunal Senior Member Deborah Dinnen ordered the matter be set down for a three-day hearing to begin on October 21.

Ms Seraphim completed her practical legal training at Mr Houda’s office in a stint that began in late 2020 while she was studying law and psychology at Wollongong.

Ms Seraphim has launched the legal action against Mr Houda under sections of the Anti-Discrimination Act that deal with sexual harassment and victimisation in the workplace.

She has asked the Tribunal to award her damages and order Mr Houda to write her a letter of apology.

Ms Seraphim has also asked for an order that Mr Houda undergo a mandatory training course and make a donation to the Scarlet Alliance, an organisation that represents the interest of sex workers.

Lawyer Adam Houda has acted on some of the state’s biggest cases. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Before studying law, Ms Seraphim worked legally in the sex industry as an escort and a dancer at Minx Gentlemen’s Club on Pitt St in Sydney’s CBD.

On Wednesday, Ms Dinnen ordered Mr Houda to serve his evidence by August 13.

Ms Seraphim was given until September 3 to file any evidence in reply.

She has pursued Mr Houda through multiple avenues, according to legal records.

She has reported him to the NSW Police. Mr Houda is facing no criminal charges and there is no suggestion he has acted illegally.

Ms Seraphim also made a complaint to the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner, an independent statutory body that refers complaints against lawyers to legal professional bodies.

The OLSC closed the complaint in 2022, which Ms Seraphin challenged in the NSW Supreme Court.

Court records said the case was dismissed on October 16 last year.

The legal battle has continued via a second case before the court, where Ms Seraphim claims the OLSC breached an agreement to refer her complaint in full to the NSW Law Society.

Mr Houda is one of Sydney’s most prominent lawyers and has appeared in several high-profile court cases.

In 2014, he represented then NRL star Blake Ferguson in a case where the footballer was convicted of indecently assaulting a woman in a nightclub.

One year later, he represented domestic violence survivor Jessica Silva who was released on time served after a jury found her guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter for stabbing her violent ice crazed partner in a fit of desperation.

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