Principal
Nick is widely recognised as one of the leading criminal defence lawyers in New South Wales, having appeared in many of the State’s most high-profile and complex matters. Based in Sydney, he also regularly represents clients in interstate jurisdictions including Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
Nick represents individual and corporate clients and has an exemplary track record of defending persons facing charges across the spectrum of offences. He has never lost a murder trial, including several cases where the prosecution was ordered to pay the legal costs of his clients following their acquittals. While Nick often represents well known individuals such as celebrities, athletes and company executives, he is also passionate in fighting for the “little guy” and those who face disadvantage in the criminal justice system.
Nick has significant expertise in AVO applications, parole hearings, Crime Commission proceedings and coronial inquests, appearing for defendants, complainants, witnesses and other interested parties.
In addition to his broad criminal and quasi-criminal law practice, Nick has extensive experience in civil litigation and professional disciplinary matters. He has acted in various civil matters that have generated media attention including civil claims brought against the NSW Police Force as well as successful applications for injunctive relief brought in the Supreme Court on behalf of Uber. He has advised and appeared for numerous medical practitioners and solicitors against whom claims of misconduct have been made.
Nick has developed a reputation for his exceptional work ethic, professionalism and advanced legal strategies. In every year from 2016-2022, he has been listed as one of Sydney’s preeminent criminal defence lawyers in the Doyle’s Guide. Nick has also been selected as a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Criminal Law Partner of the Year Award on multiple occasions. He has been described by the Daily Telegraph as one of Sydney’s top criminal lawyers as well as one of Sydney’s “masters of defence”.
Senior Associate, co-founder
Abbas is an astute and diligent criminal defence lawyer with expertise in large and complex matters. Abbas’ strength lies in his ability to deconstruct prosecution evidence, develop defence case theories, marshal crucial evidence, and strategically litigate to ensure the optimal outcome for his client.
Abbas has extensive experience in criminal law and has instructed barristers (Queen’s Counsel, Senior Counsel and Counsel) in the District Court, Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeal. He has played a crucial role in some of Australia’s most serious and highly publicised criminal prosecutions, including charges of murder, drug supply, drug importations, serious assaults, firearm and serious fraud-related matters. Abbas has also instructed Senior Counsel in interstate jurisdictions, such as Victoria and Queensland. In addition, he appears as advocate on bail applications, sentence proceedings, administrative review hearings and stay applications in various jurisdictions.
Abbas is particularly experienced in advising and appearing for clients charged with political corruption, including charges of misconduct in public office. He has advised clients in relation to investigations and/or prosecutions by the Independent Commission Against Corruption as well as the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Abbas has represented clients in relation to investigations and proceedings instituted by the Australian Taxation Office, as well as proceedings instituted by the New South Wales Crime Commission for the recovery of alleged proceeds of crime.
Abbas is also an accredited mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Associate
Bobby is a dedicated solicitor with an array of practical criminal law experience, critical analysis, and real-world problem-solving ability.
He was previously employed as an Associate to her Honour Judge O’Rourke SC in the District Court of New South Wales, where he participated in a range of serious and complex criminal trials, sentence hearings and appeals; dealing with offences such as sexual assault, drug supply, fraud, kidnapping and robbery.
Bobby is Hanna Legal’s regular Local Court solicitor and his experience in the practice and procedures of the Court allow him to represent his clients with confidence and precision. He has represented clients charged with serious drug offences, personal violence matters, AVO proceedings, driving and traffic matters, and a number of other indictable and summary offences. Bobby has instructed counsel in the Western Australia and New South Wales District and Supreme Courts and has appeared as an advocate in numerous bail applications, sentence proceedings, defended hearings, and District Court appeals. He also has experience in civil litigation and has had success bringing proceedings against the New South Wales Police Force.
Bobby’s wealth of life experience, communication skills and personability allow him to represent his clients with empathy and determination. He has a record of achieving excellent results for his clients, including negotiating with police, charges being dismissed, or no conviction being recorded at sentence.
Solicitor
Natasha is a solicitor with a genuine passion for criminal law and the defence of her clients.
She regularly appears in court and instructs counsel in defended hearings, sentence proceedings and release applications. She has assisted in many complex matters including serious sexual assault and murder trials, as well as appeals to the Court of Criminal Appeal.
Whilst at university, Natasha was employed as a paralegal at commercial, family and property law firms. She has also volunteered at a number of community legal organisations, where she was involved in projects campaigning for the legal rights of prisoners, First Nations peoples and individuals in forensic hospitals.
Natasha graduated from UNSW with a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and then completed a Juris Doctor at UTS.
Solicitor
Skyla is a solicitor who joined the Hanna Legal team in 2020.
Skyla has extensive skills in preparing subjective cases for complex sentence proceedings, including murder and large drug supply matters. She also assists in preparing evidence in Court of Criminal Appeal matters, Supreme Court release applications, criminal trials, and civil proceedings. She listens intently and utilises her excellent written communication skills to draft high quality material which allows the Court to better understand the individual circumstances of each client.
Her empathy and motivation bring comfort and reassurance to our clients and their families, by whom she is well regarded.
Skyla has completed her Practical Legal Training at the College of Law and has completed a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice at the University of New South Wales.
In 2020, Skyla was placed onto the UNSW Dean’s Merit List for academic excellence in Criminology.
Senior Paralegal
Sami is a senior paralegal at Hanna Legal, with significant experience assisting lawyers and barristers in criminal and civil litigation. Her research, analytical and writing skills enable her to provide crucial support to our solicitors.
Sami has had extensive involvement in complex sentence proceedings, release applications and various forms of civil law matters.
Prior to working at Hanna Legal, Sami was employed as a clerk at Maurice Byers Chambers, working directly under a senior barrister there. She also worked at a healthcare start-up, an experience from which she gained invaluable insight into the corporate world.
Sami is driven to achieve the best outcomes for clients, believing that everyone has the right to a proper defence.
She speaks English and Nepalese and is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts at the University of New South Wales.
Paralegal
Smrithi is a highly detail-oriented paralegal with strong written communication skills.
She has significant experience assisting our solicitors with bail applications and sentence matters. Her empathetic and understanding nature ensures that our clients feel comfortable and confident throughout their experience.
Smrithi is fluent in English and Tamil and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws at the University of New South Wales.
Paralegal
Prudence is a paralegal with a passion for justice and a keen attention to detail. She is motivated to provide the best possible legal support to our solicitors.
Prudence is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) at the University of Sydney. She was Valedictorian of her Arts Undergraduate Class 2021, a Dalyell and Faculty Scholar, and has on multiple occasions appeared on the USYD Dean’s List of Academic Excellence.
Paralegal
Lucy is a motivated and challenge-seeking paralegal with strong time-management and communication skills.
She has provided important assistance in a variety of matters in both criminal and civil practice areas.
Lucy is fluent in English and Korean and is currently studying a Bachelor of Law and Commerce (Marketing) at the University of New South Wales.
