Five of the city’s best-known legal eagles pit their prowess against police prosecutors in Frankston, Moorabbin and Dandenong courts
In the criminal justice system five lawyers with famous and infamous pasts represent defendants in Frankston, Moorabbin and Dandenong courts. These are their stories.
Inner South
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BERNIE BALMER
Bernie ‘the Attorney’ Balmer is not only an extremely well-respected lawyer, he is also a colourful community figure, especially within the sporting world.
In his extensive 30-plus year career he has defended criminals including Mark ‘Chopper’ Read and Mick Gatto, among others.
He was a renowned boxer, has board roles on the World Boxing Council and is also a big footy fan, holding the president’s position at Sorrento Sharks.
His online spiel describes him as a “born fighter in the ring and in the courtroom” and he is known for his friendly banter, dry wit, great turn of phrase and straightforward approach to cases.
DETAILS: BERNIE BALMER
ZARAH GARDE-WILSON
A lawyer who has defended some of the biggest players in the infamous Melbourne gangland wars, Ms Garde-Wilson also regularly appears on the southeast court scene.
She defended Tony Mokbel and Carl Williams during the decade-long conflict and her boyfriend Lewis Caine was a victim, gunned down in 2004.
She was depicted in the famed Underbelly series and has spoken in documentaries and interviews about the importance of the role of law.
As a fierce proponent of protecting that premise she has categorised the use of Nicola Gobbo – also Lawyer X or Informant 3838 – by Victoria police as an affront to justice.
DETAILS: ZARAH GARDE-WILSON
MARK HOLDEN
As a former judge on Australian Idol Mark Holden knows what it is like to be measured on how good he performs.
Mr Holden was a pop star in the 1970s and had four top 20 hit singles, and went on to be an actor, TV personality, record producer and songwriter.
He then returned his focus to the law, and after a near four-decade journey, passed the Bar exam in 2009.
As well as commercial and criminal cases he has also worked extensively on family violence and intervention order-related matters.
When he comes to the southeast courts he blends in as one of the legal fraternity without any pomp and ceremony that he would have attracted in his formative famous roles.
DETAILS: MARK HOLDEN
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MICHAEL KUZILNY
A legal performer of the highest calibre, especially in driving-related matters, the immaculately presented Michael Kuzilny is also a star of the small screen.
The former policeman currently has a show on Foxtel Aurora and in the past has hosted a legal series on Channel 31 and SBS.
He describes himself as “a celebrity lawyer to the stars”, has written reports for national media about major law reform and high-profile celebrity cases, and regularly appears on TV shows as a legal commentator.
In the courtroom his clear diction and easygoing attitude seem to put his clients at ease, and his guidance to those he is defending is well-regarded by magistrates.
DETAILS: MICHAEL KUZILNY
GINA LIANO
Well-known for her spectacular hair-do and high-class persona on TV show The Real Housewives of Melbourne, Ms Liano is also adept at defending crooks from the not-so-well-heeled levels of society.
Ms Liano has been a lawyer for over 20 years – well before she was a small screen star – and has experience in criminal, commercial, family, traffic and employment law.
She is also a local to the southeast, having grown up in Brighton and attended Star of the Sea College as a young girl.
DETAILS: GINA LIANO