The Benefits of Using an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist
If you’re facing criminal charges in Victoria, choosing the right lawyer could be the most important decision you make. Not all lawyers are created equal and when your freedom, reputation, and future are at stake, you need more than just any solicitor. You need an expert. That’s why people searching for the best criminal lawyers in Melbourne often turn to Accredited Criminal Law Specialists.
At Emma Turnbull Lawyers, our Directors Emma Turnbull, Adrian Lewin, and Partner Manny Brennan are all Accredited Criminal Law Specialists. This means that our clients get the highest calibre of legal representation, backed by years of experience, daily courtroom advocacy, and a deep understanding of how the criminal justice system works in Victoria.
What is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist?
In Victoria, the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) recognises lawyers with advanced expertise through its Accredited Specialisation program. Only lawyers who meet strict eligibility criteria and pass a rigorous assessment process are permitted to use the title ‘Accredited Specialist‘ in Criminal Law.
This accreditation sets specialists apart from generalist solicitors. It signals to clients, courts, and colleagues that the lawyer has in-depth knowledge, exceptional advocacy skills, and up-to-date insight into the evolving landscape of Victorian criminal law.
How Do Lawyers Become Accredited?
Becoming an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist involves more than just years in practice. Applicants must:
- Hold a current practicing certificate
- Be a current member of the LIV
- Have a minimum of five years’ full-time legal practice
- Demonstrate substantial involvement in criminal law for at least three of those years
The assessment process is tough. It includes:
- Written examinations on complex areas of criminal law
- Simulated client interviews and court advocacy tasks
- Oral assessments with panels of senior practitioners and legal academics
This ensures only the most capable and committed lawyers are recognised as specialists.
Why It Matters to Clients
When you’re searching for criminal lawyers in Melbourne, knowing that your lawyer is an Accredited Specialist gives you peace of mind. It means your lawyer has been tested, trusted, and has proven that they know the law inside out.
Clients of Emma Turnbull Lawyers benefit from:
- Representation by lawyers who are experts in bail applications, contested hearings, jury trials, and sentencing
- A strategic advantage in negotiations with prosecutors
- Lawyers who understand what outcomes are achievable in every Victorian court
- Advice that’s clear, direct, and based on deep courtroom experience
Our specialist team doesn’t just show up – we show up prepared, respected, and ready to fight.
The ETL Difference
At Emma Turnbull Lawyers, our commitment to specialist representation is unmatched. We are one of the few criminal law firms in Melbourne who have multiple Accredited Criminal Law Specialists under one roof.
Emma Turnbull, Adrian Lewin, and Manny Brennan are each recognised by the Law Institute of Victoria as leaders in criminal defence. They appear in courts across Victoria daily and are known by magistrates, judges, and colleagues for their integrity, intelligence, and fearless advocacy.
Whether you’re dealing with serious indictable charges, intervention orders, or summary offences, you’ll be represented by a lawyer who is not simply capable, but exceptional.
Finding a Specialist Criminal Lawyer in Melbourne
You can search the Law Institute of Victoria’s Accredited Specialist directory to find a criminal lawyer who has met the highest standard of professional excellence. But if you’re already here, you have found a firm led by some of Victoria’s best.
We work closely with clients and referring professionals who value technical skill, strategic thinking, and outstanding courtroom advocacy. Our results speak for themselves.
In criminal law, the stakes are far too high for guesswork. If you want the best defence, choose a lawyer who is recognised as the best. Choose an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist.
Contact Emma Turnbull Lawyers today; for expert advice and fearless representation by one of Melbourne’s leading criminal law teams.
This blog is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing criminal charges, please speak to a qualified criminal defence lawyer.
