Legal eagles Bill Doogue and Philip Dunn KC represent accused mushroom cook killer Erin Patterson

Accused triple murderer Erin Patterson has hired two of Australia’s top legal minds to run her defence. Here is why they’re seen as some of the best in the business.

When accused triple murderer Erin Patterson returns to court later this month for one of the state’s most high-profile murder cases, she will be flanked by two of Victoria’s top legal minds.

Ms Patterson hired well-known Melbourne lawyers Bill Doogue and Philip Dunn KC after she was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in November last year.

Ms Patterson’s former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson died after allegedly eating poisonous mushrooms at her Leongatha home on July 29.

Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson survived the lunch but spent eight weeks in hospital fighting for his life.

Ms Patterson’s ex-husband Simon Patterson was due to attend the lunch, but pulled out at the last minute.

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Mr Doogue has more than 30 years’ experience as a defence lawyer. Picture: Josie Hayden

Philip Dunn, KC, has represented indentities ranging from Carl Williams to Dani Laidley. Picture: David Geraghty

Mr Doogue and Mr Dunn will represent Ms Patterson at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on April 22 — 11 days earlier than her original hearing which was slated for May 3 — after her court case was brought forward for an application hearing.

Mr Doogue has more than 30 years’ experience as a defence lawyer and has advised politicians and appeared for high ranking church officials at Royal Commission hearings.

Last month it was revealed Mr Doogue will work closely with Mr Dunn – one of Australia’s most respected criminal defence barristers.

Across four decades, Mr Dunn has represented a long list of Melbourne identities, including organised crime figures Carl Williams and Mick Hawi to sporting icons Gary Ablett Sr and Dani Laidley.

He has also appeared in many high-profile criminal cases, some of which have been dramatised in telemovies, including the notorious “Society Murders” of Margaret Wales-King and Paul King at the hands of Margaret’s son Matthew Wales.

Mr Doogue and Ms Dunn have remained tight-lipped about Ms Patterson and her case.

Jessica O’Donnell has provided media advice to Ms Patterson’s ex-husband. Picture: Supplied

Jessica O’Donnell with Bill Shorten. Picture: Instagram

It comes as Ms Patterson’s ex-husband leant on strategic consultant Jessica O’Donnell for advice.

Just days after Don, Gail and Heather fell sick from the lunch, Mr Patterson appointed Ms O’Donnell to liaise with the media on his family’s behalf.

Ms O’Donnell, co-founder of IntraWork Group, was hired to field requests from journalists including updates on the recovery of the sole survivor Ian Wilkinson.

In an email sent on August 8, Ms O’Donnell asked journalists to not directly contact the deceaseds’ family members.

“I would like to request that all media enquiries are to come through me,” she wrote.

“It is my understanding that some journalists have been reaching out to family members directly, which has been quite distressing for them.

“We really appreciate you respecting the requests of these grieving families at this time.”

It’s understood Mr Patterson personally knew Ms O’Donnell and trusted her to deal with the flood of publicity that came his and his family’s way.

Ms O’Donnell studied at Deakin University and was a councillor at Baw Baw Shire Council from 2016 to 2020.

She ran as a Labor candidate for the seat of Monash and started her consulting firm in 2022.

Ms Patterson will face court via video link from remand at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.

The Herald Sun previously revealed she was forced into a protected unit, housed with some of the worst female offenders, including pedophile rapist school principal Malka Leifer.

Originally published as Legal eagles Bill Doogue and Philip Dunn KC represent accused mushroom cook killer Erin Patterson