Strategic Advocacy in the Public Eye with ETL’s Specialist Criminal Lawyers
High-quality criminal defence is about more than just knowing the law, it’s about navigating the complex intersection of legal process, public scrutiny, and human dignity.
As leading criminal lawyers in Melbourne, we approach every public courtroom appearance with care, precision, and a deep sense of responsibility. Our firm has been trusted to represent clients in some of Victoria’s most high-profile, complex, and emotionally charged criminal matters. These are the types of cases that can attract significant media attention.
In doing so, our lawyers have frequently appeared in national media coverage.
This article shares a selection of recent cases where Emma Turnbull Lawyers have been featured in the media and reflects on how we balance strategic legal advocacy with the need to protect client privacy, even in the most public of spotlights.
Case Coverage Highlights
1. Brighton Financial Fraud Arrest
In a high-profile case involving alleged white-collar crime, firm Director Adrian Lewin represented a Brighton financial planner accused of misappropriating over $9 million in superannuation investments. The case involved complex financial forensic evidence, national headlines, and scrutiny over ASIC regulation and client protections.
2. Magistrate’s Brother Jailed for East Melbourne Stabbing
Emma Turnbull represented a client who pleaded guilty to a violent stabbing in East Melbourne. The case attracted media interest due to the defendant’s high-profile family connection and the brazen nature of the incident. In court, Emma advocated for sentencing that acknowledged her client’s background and capacity for rehabilitation, while navigating difficult public interest commentary.
Read more: https://www.standard.net.au/story/8714483/magistrates-brother-jailed-over-brazen-stabbing/
3. Unusual Historical Rape Allegations & DNA Evidence
Firm Partner Manny Brennan acts in an ongoing matter involving rape charges arising from events alleged to have occurred over 40 years ago. The use of familial DNA has brought new evidentiary questions into focus, including reliability, delay, and fair trial rights.
Navigating the Courtroom in the Digital Age
At Emma Turnbull Lawyers, we understand that the courtroom isn’t just a place for legal argument. It’s also a stage where personal lives are laid bare, often in front of reporters, alleged victims, business competitors, police, students, and members of the public.
As experienced criminal lawyers in Melbourne, we carry a unique responsibility: to vigorously represent our clients while ensuring they are not exposed to unnecessary personal harm or media exploitation.
This means we are strategic about:
Controlling the narrative: Deciding what is said in open court versus what is reserved for written submissions.
Filtering information: Ensuring only relevant details are aired and avoiding anything gratuitous or prejudicial.
Balancing mitigation with privacy: Especially for clients with mental health conditions, trauma histories, or family involvement.
Our team frequently applies for suppression orders when the interests of justice outweigh the public’s right to know. While we believe in open justice and police accountability, we also believe in dignity, proportionality, and protecting clients from being defined by a single chapter in their lives.
Appearing in the media is never our goal, but when it happens, it’s usually because the cases we take on matter. They are complex. They are high stakes. They involve clients whose liberty, reputation, and future are on the line.
That’s why our specialist criminal lawyers bring not only their legal excellence to court, but also emotional intelligence, discretion, and strategy. We don’t chase headlines, we focus on achieving the best possible outcomes.
If you or someone you know needs expert representation in a serious criminal matter, contact us today. Our team of specialist Melbourne criminal lawyers are here to advocate when it matters most.
