Crimlaw Criminal Defence Lawyers

Olivia West

HEAD OFFICE RECEPTIONIST

Olivia is the receptionist at Crimlaw's Head Office in Crimlaw House at Parramatta. With a solid background in various administrative roles including working behind the scenes at the ACT Magistrates Court, Olivia blends all of her working experiences with her intelligence and professionalism to be the ideal first point of contact for CRIMLAW clients. Olivia manages a busy day with style and poise and is always able to help our clients with information or just a comforting word, ensuring that you are always assisted with any enquiry regarding your legal matter.

Samantha Munro

LEGAL SECRETARY

Samantha is an experienced legal secretary with a strong culture focused on building client relationships whilst promoting a positive outcome focussed working environment. In particular, Samantha has many skills including highly developed precedents and work procedures, attention to detail, initiative to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner and the ability to multi-task to ensure CRIMLAW lawyers and CRIMLAW clients needs and requirements are met.

Rhia Jones Lago

CRIMLAW OFFICE MANAGER - SYDNEY CBD

Rhia is our Sydney CBD Office Manager at CRIMLAW. Rhia joins us from the UK and has worked in the Westminster Legal System for many years. She worked in London as a paralegal, and has always had an interest in the criminal law jurisdiction with experience spanning over 5 years. Rhia has a Diploma in Law and Business Administration and hands on experience in the administration and case progression of matters directly from the police station stage through to the finalisation of matters at Court. She is a welcome addition to the CRIMLAW team.

Rebekah Majdis

CRIMLAW OFFICE MANAGER - PARRAMATTA

Rebekah has been with us since the inception of CRIMLAW and Rebekah is a committed and efficient office manager. She is also a Student at Law. She works hard serving the interests of our clients on a daily basis and is a dedicated and intelligent young lady, and has appeared in Court on numerous occasions with leave of the Court. Rebekah has been involved in this area of law for the past 6 years and knows exactly what needs to be done, both in and out of Court. An indispensible member of the CRIMLAW family, Rebekah ensures the smooth running of all aspects of the Firm, making sure that our client’s know what is going on every step of the way.

Raffaella Buttini

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER

Raffaella has several years of experience in criminal law first as a law clerk with Crimlaw and now as one of Crimlaw’s city-based solicitor. She has extensive experience instructing in District Court trials being the solicitor with carriage of some of our largest and most complex matters. She has worked alongside some of Sydney’s best criminal barristers who always praise her work ethic and professionalism when instructed by her. Obtaining her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree from the University of Sydney, Raffaella also has a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Honours) majoring in psychology and language studies. Raffaella brings her previous experience working in the field of mental health and her working knowledge of the range of issues that may impact on a person’s behaviour to all her cases. Raffaella also has experience working in multi-cultural environments, which have allowed her to gain an understanding and appreciation of cultural differences that may arise in Court. She is fluent in Italian and is also able to converse with clients in both French and Spanish.

Sam Chamas

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER

Prior to being an admitted Solicitor of the Supreme Court, Sam worked as a Law Clerk, and once he was admitted his focus in criminal law became complete. Sam has appeared in various jurisdictions including the Children’s Court, the Local Court and the District Court, and he regularly instructs Counsel in complex criminal matters. He has appeared and instructed in a variety of matters ranging from Murder, Shoot with Intent, complex fraud related matters, through to less serious offences such as Drink Driving and other traffic matters. Sam’s motto is "extensive preparation of all legal matters is the key to achieving the best result for clients".

Hassan Hallak

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER

A natural lawyer with the “gift of the gab”, Hassan "Huss" has appeared in all range of criminal matters including traffic matters, local court hearings, bail applications up to appearing in murder, kidnapping, and large drug importation trials instructing and learning from senior barristers and Public Defenders. Hassan has a well earned reputation with both his colleagues and his clients. He tells it like it is and is constantly searching for ways in which he can advance his clients best interests in court. Fluent in Arabic and English, Hassan can converse with our Arabic speaking clients with ease. Hassan's passion and enthusiasm is only surpassed by his need to ensure that justice is done and has been a committed member of the Crimlaw family since 2008.

Fiona Aroney

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER

Fiona Aroney was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court in 2006. Upon being admitted Fiona obtained a graduate position with a large and prestigious commercial law firm. She also volunteered as a solicitor with the Redfern Legal Centre. During her time as a corporate lawyer there she realised that her true strengths lay in interacting with people and fighting for social justice. She took that passion into a position with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. As a prosecutor, Fiona gained considerable advocacy experience in the Local and District Courts, in matters relating to both Centrelink and large scale fraud, Customs affairs, Aviation offences, a variety of large drug matters, sexual servitude, child sex tourism offences, and matters relating to child pornography. She also learnt the tricks of the trade of the prosecution, skills she has brought with her to CRIMLAW. Fiona's strong work ethic and passion to fight for justice is reflected in every clients case that she takes on. She is also fluent in Greek and is an integral part of the CRIMLAW family.

Roger Murray

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER

Roger Murray is a senior lawyer with eight years experience in criminal law. Roger spent a number of years working as a solicitor for the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions. Roger has prosecuted and defended a wide range of Local Court and District Court matters and Roger also spent 18 months at the NSW Ombudsman where he handled complaints against serving NSW police officers. Roger is well versed with all aspects of criminal law and he strives to keep up to date with the latest developments in the areas of criminal and evidence law. Roger takes a keen interest in procedural fairness, thus ensuring that the courts deal with his client’s matters fairly and properly. Roger’s background coupled with his excellent interpersonal skills makes him a highly regarded solicitor who has produced some very good results for his clients.

Wayne Russell

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER

Wayne comes to the CRIMLAW family with a wealth of experience under his belt. Starting his legal career as a solicitor practising in criminal law, he then spent 12 years practising as a Criminal Law Barrister before leaving the Bar to dedicate himself to representing the clients at CRIMLAW. Over the years Wayne has been briefed in some of the most complex and high profile criminal matters in NSW. Wayne is also well renowned for being a Lawyer that can get the job done. His tenacious approach in Court has seen him excel in his career and has clients returning over and over again. Wayne's reputation in the Legal Community precedes him and he is an indispensible member of the CRIMLAW family.

Vanya Hampel

MANAGING LAWYER, SYDNEY OFFICE - CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER

Vanya began her legal career at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions before turning her knowledge and experience to practicing as a Criminal Defence Lawyer firstly under a criminal law accredited specialist, and then as a managing lawyer in criminal law for one of Sydney's biggest law firms. She then brought all that knowledge and experience with her to CRIMLAW in her position as the managing lawyer of our Sydney office. Vanya holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Technology Sydney, and attended the University of Westminster in London as part of her Degree. Her interest in Crime began at Law School where she completed her Honours thesis in 'Human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation'. She then furthered her interest in criminal offending by obtaining post tertiary qualifications in Criminal Psychology. Vanya regularly practices in the Local, District and Supreme Court and her experience extends from appearing in drink driving matters right through to more complex matters such as drug trafficking, sexual assault and murder. Her intelligence and confidence before the Courts make her an excellent advocate and a fierce adversary. Vanya is well respected by Magistrates and Judges alike for her realistic and no nonsense approach in Court, and Vanya is valued by clients for her tenacity and professionalism. .

Robert Kaufmann

PRINCIPAL LAWYER - CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER - Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law

The Principal Lawyer of CRIMLAW, Robert began his career in law working for some of Sydney's top Commercial law firms. He finished his studies in Law working for a Judge where he was fortunate to see many court cases and obtained an understanding of the many complexities that affect a party in their court proceedings. From there, he realised that the defenceless needed protecting and consequently began working as a defence lawyer at the Legal Aid Commission of NSW. A natural born leader and contrarian he moved on from Legal Aid to be a Criminal Defence consultant and a few years later he set up CRIMLAW. Appearing in all types of complex criminal matters, his persistence, tenacity and passion for Criminal Law and the defence of his clients has seen him excel to the top of his field. His vision combined with his hunger to have justice done makes him the advocate that you want fighting for your rights. His belief that everyone is entitled to respect and a strong and vigorous defence is the ethos that he has instilled in the CRIMLAW family. His willingness to help any person under any circumstances is the driving force of CRIMLAW and helps it grow from strength to strength.