Bruce Lehrmann sacks lawyer in Toowoomba rape case

Bruce Lehrmann has sacked lawyers representing him in his Queensland rape trial, and will now be represented by criminal solicitor Zali Burrows.

Bruce Lehrmann and solicitor Zali Burrows in Hobart last year. Picture: Elise Kaine

Bruce Lehrmann has sacked lawyers acting in his Queensland rape case, as the former Liberal staffer angles to retain what he believes to be more “aggressive” legal representation ahead of trial.

Mr Lehrmann on Monday filed a letter to the Toowoomba District Court in which he indicated criminal solicitor Rowan King would no longer be acting for him, and had been replaced by Zali Burrows.

The change has been made just weeks out from a pre-trial application hearing at which Mr Lehrmann is expected to apply for the matter to be heard before a judge only.

Queensland Police in 2023 charged the 29-year-old with two counts of rape over an alleged incident in Toowoomba in October 2021.

Defence lawyer Rowan King. Picture: David Martinelli

The matter was committed in the Toowoomba District Court in July last year. Mr Lehrmann is yet to enter a plea, but has indicated he plans to defend the charges.

The court heard that the complainant, who legally cannot be identified, alleges she met Mr Lehrmann at a nightclub on a night out, where he introduced himself as Bryce, and they began discussing their political views.

Around 4am the following morning, the pair went to the home of Mr Lehrmann’s school friend. The court heard the two had consensual sex and took cocaine that Mr Lehrmann had found in the woman’s bra before falling asleep.

Zali Burrows leaving the Federal Court.

She alleges the following morning, she woke to Mr Lehrmann having penetrative sex with her without her consent and he was not wearing a condom like they had agreed to the night prior.

In her statement, the woman said she moved her body to remove him and told him to stop, noting she still felt drunk. She alleged he climbed back on top of her to continue having sex, repeating “It’s OK, it’s Ok” and consoling her until he ejaculated inside her vagina.

His legal team have previously raised questions over the woman’s recollection of events in light of her alcohol and drug use.

Ms Burrows is currently acting for Mr Lehrmann in a Federal Court appeal in a defamation matter in Sydney. Mr Lehrmann’s criminal charges in Toowoomba are not related to the civil case.

A source close to Mr Lehrmann indicated he had chosen to retain Ms Burrows for his criminal trial because he was “impressed by her aggression”.

In 2023, Mr Lehrmann’s identity was revealed as the defendant in the matter after Queensland legislation was changed so that those accused of rape or sexual assault could now be named before they were committed for trial or entered a plea.

Before that, Mr Lehrmann was only known as a “high-profile man” in all media reporting related to the Toowoomba case.

After the law changed, Mr Lehrmann lost his bid to seek a non-publication order to continue to keep his name from public view.