Nick Hanna

Principal

Nick is the principal of Hanna Legal and has a wealth of experience in a wide range of criminal, administrative, regulatory and select civil litigation. He represents individual and corporate clients and regularly appears in high profile cases.

Nick has vast experience in criminal law and has successfully defended clients facing charges across the full spectrum of offences. He has never lost a murder trial, including in a recent highly publicised case where his client was acquitted and the prosecution was ordered to pay her legal costs.

Nick also specialises in Apprehended Domestic Violence Order applications, parole hearings, NSW Crime Commission proceedings and coronial inquests, appearing for defendants, complainants, witnesses and other interested parties.

Nick has appeared in various high profile civil matters, 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.

Nick has unique experience in complicated RMS matters, including being the instructing solicitor in the legal team which successfully represented all of the Uber partner-drivers prosecuted by the RMS prior to the introduction of ride-sharing regulations in December 2015. In addition, Nick represented the Uber partner-drivers whose vehicle registrations were suspended and he successfully negotiated with the RMS for all of the suspensions to be lifted.

Nick has developed a reputation for his exceptional work ethic, professionalism and advanced legal strategies. In 2017 and 2018, he was listed as one of the top 6 criminal defence lawyers in all of Australia and in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, he was named as one of NSW’s preeminent criminal defence lawyers in the Doyles Guide. In 2018 and 2019, Nick was selected as a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Criminal Law Partner of the Year Award. In 2020, Nick won the Best Administrative Lawyer award at the International Advisory Expert Awards. 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”.

Abbas Soukie

Solicitor

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 Local Court, 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.

Heidi Heathcote

Solicitor

Heidi has appeared in hundreds of State and Commonwealth matters in the Local Court, District Court and Supreme Court. She has also instructed Senior Counsel in hearings in the Court of Criminal Appeal and in High Court special leave applications. In addition, she has instructed in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Heidi is an excellent advocate and works together with her clients in the preparation of matters to get the best results. She cares for her clients and is passionate about defending their rights.

Heidi is well-respected by the legal profession and was named one of Australia’s Criminal Law Rising Stars in both 2016 and 2017 in the Doyle’s Legal Guide.

Before being admitted as a solicitor, Heidi was a forensic DNA scientist and she utilises this specialist knowledge to successfully defend clients facing prosecutions involving DNA evidence.

Sabrina Wong

Solicitor

Sabrina is a valued member of Hanna Legal, having commenced as a law clerk in 2017.  Sabrina graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Criminology from the University of New South Wales in 2019 and was admitted as a solicitor in 2020 after completing her Practical Legal Training at Hanna Legal.

Sabrina regularly appears before the Local, District and Supreme Courts of New South Wales and assists our senior solicitors with various complex matters. Approachable and with strong initiative, Sabrina contributes to all the cases which she is involved in.

Joshua Ibrahim

Legal Secretary

Joshua is the legal secretary and office manager at Hanna Legal. Joshua plays an integral role in assisting our lawyers on a day to day basis, constantly ensuring that the firm continues to provide an exceptional service to its clients.

Joshua is the first point of contact at Hanna Legal and will gladly assist you in finding the appropriate lawyer to defend you in your delicate legal matter.

Joshua is also a Justice of the Peace.

Olivia Tan

Law Clerk

Olivia is the latest addition to the team. She is client-focused and assists our lawyers with a variety of tasks. Her approachable manner and professionalism makes her a valuable member of the Hanna Legal team.

Olivia is currently completing a Juris Doctor at the University of New South Wales and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia. Olivia has been listed on the UNSW Law Dean’s List.

April Brennan

Law Clerk

April is a law clerk, having commenced with the firm in 2019. April’s bubbly personality and genuine passion for criminal law greatly assists our lawyers and the cases which she is involved in. April has a particular flare for Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) matters.

April is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Journalism) at the University of Notre Dame, Australia.

Alice Loveday

Law Clerk

Alice has been with the team since 2019. Alice’s passion for criminal law is evident through her strong work ethic and excellent attention to detail. Her analytical skillset is greatly appreciated by our lawyers and clients alike.

Alice is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (Criminology / Politics) at the University of New South Wales. In 2017 she was awarded the Law Society of NSW Prize for best performing student in Stage 1 of the Bachelor of Laws program and has appeared on the UNSW Law Dean’s List.