Selection process
Lead counsel can be chosen in consultation with solicitors, the Victorian Bar and the judiciary. They are approached directly by Victoria Legal Aid and agree to act as leaders.
Fees
Lead counsel receive brief fees consistent with Table M in the VLA Handbook for lawyers. However, they are also entitled to an additional three hours' conferencing fee to account for time spent in conference and additional discussion with junior counsel throughout the trial.
Current lead counsel
The lead counsel in the 2024–25 Trial Counsel Development Program are:
- James Anderson
- Karen Argiropoulos
- Catherine Boston SC
- Amy Brennan
- Zoe Broughton
- Morgan Brown
- Deanna Caruso
- Peter Chadwick KC
- Ruth Champion
- Gordon Chisholm
- Georgina Coghlan KC
- Rahmin De Kretser
- John Desmond
- Richard Edney
- Christopher Farrington
- Shaun Ginsbourg
- Nick Goodenough
- Nicholas Goodfellow
- Jason Gullaci SC
- Leighton Gwynn
- Astrid Haban-Beer
- David Hallowes SC
- Ashley Halphen
- Justin Hannebery KC
- Barnaby Johnston
- Aggy Kapitaniak
- Theo Kassimatis KC
- Paul Kounnas
- Sharon Lacy SC
- Anthony Lewis
- Amit Malik
- Colin Mandy SC
- Tim Marsh
- Daniel McGlone
- Michael McGrath
- Julian McMahon SC
- Kelly McKay
- Zubin Menon
- Peter Morrissey SC
- Julia Munster
- Rishi Nathwani KC
- Moya O'Brien
- Nicholas Papas KC
- Alexander Patton
- Amy Peek-Lasry
- Diana Price
- Daniel Sala
- Ruth Shann SC
- Naomi Smith
- Michael Stanton SC
- Jo Swiney
- Megan Tittensor SC
Updated