Prominent defamation lawyer Sandy Dawson dies after battle with brain cancer

Dawson, one of Australia’s most celebrated defamation lawyers, died at the age of 50.

Sandy Dawson has died at the age of 50. Picture: Adam Taylor

Alexander ‘Sandy’ Dawson, one of Australia’s most celebrated defamation lawyers has died after battling brain cancer.

It is understood Mr Dawson, 50, died peacefully on Monday, surrounded by family.

Mr Dawson’s death comes eight years after the murder of sister Katrina Dawson, who was killed in the 2014 Lindt Cafe siege.

The Katrina Dawson Foundation, founded by the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce, was co-directed by Mr Dawson, supporting the discovery and mentoring of exceptional female barristers like his sister.

Mr Dawson is survived by mother Jane Dawson, father Alexander ‘Sandy’ Sinclair Dawson and brother Angus. The family have asked for the public to respect their privacy and in lieu of flowers or meals suggest making a donation to the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.

Sandy Dawson, right, walks alongside his mother Jane and father Alexander after State Coroner Michael Barnes handed down his findings into the Lindt cafe siege. Picture: Toby Zerna

“Sandy faced his final battle with cancer with his customary grit, fierce determination and devotion to those he loved,” NSW Bar Association president Gabrielle Bashir SC said in a statement. “While Sandy was committed to the Bar, it was love for his wife, children and wider family that was of foremost importance to him.”

Ms Bashir also paid tribute to Mr Dawson, remembering him as a “true gentleman” who was “born to be a barrister”.

“Our heartfelt condolences and the thoughts of the profession are first and foremost with his wife, children and the Dawson family,” Ms Bashir said.

“Sandy was born to be a barrister. He loved the practice of advocacy and was a master of our craft. He was a true gentleman with the sharpest of intellect.”

Having worked as a barrister for almost two decades, Mr Dawson quickly rose to legal stardom before being appointed as a Senior Counsel in 2016.

As a media defamation lawyer, Mr Dawson represented all major media outlets including the ABC, Nine/Fairfax Media, Channel 7 and radio station 2GB.

ABC News Director Justin Stevens issued a statement: “Sandy Dawson made a huge contribution to the ABC and to public interest journalism.

“His immense intellect and experience helped us navigate complicated legal dilemmas and paved the way for important stories to be told. Our journalists, teams and audiences have benefited enormously from his brilliant work.

“Sandy was a joy to be around, down to earth and humble. We are all incredibly sad about this news and everyone at the ABC extends our deepest condolences to Sandy’s family and loved ones.”

Australian Financial Review columnist Joe Aston said Mr Dawson’s death had left all within the media feeling “hollow”.

“I could offer you all the superlatives in the world – all of which he rightly deserves … but to be honest the injustice and cruelty of this is overwhelming,” Mr Aston said.

“It’s a dark day for us all.”

Mr Dawson defended Mr Aston during a 2020 defamation trial which he ultimately lost. But despite the outcome, Mr Aston said the experience had left the pair with “a friendship forged in fire”.

“I instantly had a professional man crush on Sandy,” he said. “He just had this capacity of vocabulary and the architecture of his arguments was like nothing I’ve ever come across.

“He just had a brilliant mind … and anyone you speak to will tell you he was also just a terrifically funny man.”

His iconic brand of humour was evident in Mr Aston’s trial.

Mr Dawson, who was also known as a fierce defender of his family’s proud Arnott’s biscuit heritage, remarked in the trial that as the great-grand-grandson of William Arnott, who founded the company – he could not condone the criminal advocacy of chocolate-covered Jatz crackers.

“His presence brightened our courtrooms and chambers,” Ms Bashir recalled. “Many of us will have enduring memories of having to control bursts of laughter following a whispered quip from Sandy at the bar table.”

“His exceptional talent, breadth of knowledge, practical and tactical genius, and legendary wit and sense of humour all marked Sandy out as a great leader of our profession.”

Mr Dawson enjoyed success in a number of famous defamation cases, including that of Sky News broadcaster Erin Molan, who was awarded $150,000 in damages after having won her case against the Daily Mail.

He had been due to appear in the Ben Roberts-Smith trial but was forced to withdraw due to health concerns after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.