With more than 20 years' experience in the legal profession and as a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Criminal Law Specialist, our Principal Lawyer, Lauren Cassimatis, and our team of experienced solicitors are some of the most highly regarded legal practitioners in Victoria and nationally.

We represent clients in all criminal and quasi-criminal matters from driving matters through to complex sexual, homicide and online offences, inquests, WorkSafe and professional disciplinary proceedings.

At Gallant Law we provide comprehensive and attentive representation and approach every one of our clients’ legal matters with compassion and dedication. We take a holistic and family-first approach, ensuring our clients and their loved ones feel respected and supported at all times. We care about our clients’ cases, health, relationships, reputation and future. These are just some of the reasons why we are considered one of the best law firms in Melbourne, Geelong, Warrnambool and across the nation.

Sam Norton brings over 20 years of experience in criminal law, having been admitted to practice in 2001. An accredited criminal law specialist since 2008, Sam has been a partner at Stary Norton Halphen since 2010. He has earned recognition in the Doyles Guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria and a Leading Criminal Lawyer in Australia in consecutive years.

Throughout his career, Sam has handled countless high-profile cases, with a focus on complex decision-making and advocacy. His practice predominantly involves appearing on behalf of clients charged with serious offences. Sam appears in all hearings from trials before a judge and jury in the Supreme and County Courts to contested hearings in the Magistrates’ Court as well as plea hearings and bail applications throughout the jurisdiction. His cases span a wide range of serious criminal matters, including murder, manslaughter, culpable and dangerous driving, drug importation and trafficking, and serious sexual offences. Sam also has significant experience in white-collar crime, having acted in multiple high-profile foreign bribery cases and many other fraud-related matters.

As a mentor, Sam actively guides lawyers at Stary Norton Halphen and throughout the broader criminal law community. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals underscores his dedication to the field.

Sam is passionate about criminal law, viewing it as an essential means to assist individuals facing the immense power of the state. He believes in the fundamental right of all people to quality legal representation, and the stakes are especially high in criminal cases. His practice provides him with a unique opportunity to serve a broad spectrum of society, offering his skills and expertise to those in need.

Despite the challenges and intensity of his work, Sam remains deeply motivated by each case, approaching every matter with the experience, dedication, and skill necessary to achieve the best possible outcome.

In addition to his legal work, Sam is also a member of the executive committee of Liberty Victoria, an organisation engaged in the advancement of human rights. In that role, Sam advocates for the rights of individuals facing human rights violations in Australia and internationally. Sam is a former Co-Chair of the Criminal Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV). In 2015 he received a Service Award from the Law Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the LIV and to the profession. Sam has also previously been a Volunteer at the Inner Melbourne Legal Service.

Sam believes that practising criminal law provides an opportunity to assist people when coming up against the exercise of power by the state. It is vital that all people in our community are afforded quality legal representation, and that is never more important than in Criminal Law. This area of law gives him exposure to the broadest possible cross section of our community and a chance to help members across that spectrum.

Despite the intensity of his work as a criminal lawyer, Sam is deeply motivated by every single case he is involved in, and brings his experience and skill to each task in order to achieve the best outcome.

Emma Turnbull is the Director and founding partner of Emma Turnbull Lawyers Pty Ltd, a leading criminal law firm in Victoria. She established the firm in 2011 after gaining extensive experience in specialist private practice criminal law firms across Melbourne.

Emma holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Monash University and became an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria in 2014.

A fearless and strategic advocate, Emma has handled thousands of serious criminal cases throughout her career. In recent years, her firm has run the largest number of trials in the Supreme Court criminal list, reflecting a dedication to complex and high-stakes litigation. Her forensic decision-making and strong advocacy set her apart. Emma is also highly skilled in negotiation and resolving matters where appropriate.

Emma has been consistently recognized in Doyle’s Annual Guide as a leading criminal defence lawyer, alongside her firm. Her accolades include ACQ Partner of the Year, 2024 Lawyers Weekly Wellness Advocate of the Year, and multiple finalist placements in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards and the Australian Law Awards (2021-2024).

Emma regularly appears in all courts across Victoria, with her team of dedicated criminal defence lawyers representing firm clients in court every day of the week. She has cultivated a strong network of highly regarded barristers and forensic experts, ensuring meticulous preparation for every case.

Beyond her legal work, Emma is an active voice on LinkedIn, engaging in discussions on criminal law, justice, and policy. She is also a committed mentor and advocate for improving professional standards in the legal industry.

Emma is admitted in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia. She is available on a consultancy basis for firm business management and can be briefed as an agent for court matters.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Monash University. Emma is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria having passed the examinations in 2014. Emma is currently undertaking Doctoral Studies.

A passionate and fearless advocate, Emma appears regularly in all courts across the Victorian criminal law jurisdiction. This includes appearing as Counsel and instructing solicitor in Supreme and County Court trials, mental impairment trials, County Court and Magistrates’ Court plea hearings and bail applications.

Emma’s team of lawyers are in Court every day of the week and the office runs one of the largest practices of indictable crime and jury trials in Victoria.

The firm is the largest criminal law firm headed by a female in Victoria. She is an industry leader and a forceful advocate for change and development of criminal law practice. Emma has been acknowledged year after year as a leading criminal defence lawyer in Doyle’s Annual Guide (as has the firm), has won ACQ Partner of the Year and was a 2022 Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards. Emma continues to undertake professional development to refine her skills as an advocate and firm Director.

During her time as an employee at some of Victoria’s largest criminal law firms, Emma had the opportunity to obtain experience, skills and knowledge that has enabled the firm to develop into the success that it is today.

As a result of her consistently thorough preparation and commitment to achieve the best possible outcomes, Emma has established a large and loyal client base. She maintains an excellent network of experienced and highly regarded barristers and other forensic professionals who assist in the preparation of cases for court. Emma is admitted in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia.

Adrian Lewin joined Turnbull Lawyers as a partner in 2015. He brings with him a wealth of practice experience and highly refined analytical and advocacy skills.

Adrian has practiced as a lawyer since graduating from Monash University in 2004, obtaining a Bachelor of Law (with Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts. He is an accredited specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria in Criminal Law.

Initially working as a Commercial Litigator, in 2009 Adrian began work in criminal law and has practiced exclusively in this area ever since. In that time, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to the defence of his clients and consistently strives to achieve the best possible results. Adrian appears regularly as an advocate in all court jurisdictions and has a detailed knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system.

Adrian is passionate about protecting his client’s interest and utilises his extensive experience in both Commercial and Criminal law in the conduct of his cases.

Jasmine possesses a deep understanding of court processes, developments, and challenges, which she uses to craft strategic legal approaches, effectively navigate complex cases, and advocate vigorously for her clients’ rights and interests at every stage of the legal process.

She is committed to ensuring her clients remain fully informed and confident, breaking down complex processes into clear, understandable terms, so they feel empowered and supported throughout the legal process.

Jasmine regularly appears in court as a solicitor-advocate, representing clients in a wide range of criminal cases across all jurisdictions, including the Magistrates’, County, Supreme Courts, Children’s Court, and IBAC. She has acted in matters concerning charges of terrorism, homicide, culpable driving, drug trafficking, importation and cultivation, major fraud, deception, firearms, assault, and sex offences.

She is committed to delivering exceptional legal representation for her clients. She understands the stress that comes with facing legal proceedings and is dedicated to ensuring her clients are well-informed at every stage of the process.

Nick possesses a passion for the criminal law and a drive to see that justice is served. Nick is committed to achieving the best possible results for his clients, executing careful forensic analysis and skill as an advocate in each matter from start to end. He appears regularly in a broad range of criminal and quasi-criminal matters in the Magistrates’ and County Courts, including serious assaults, sexual offences, commercial fraud, and drug offences.

Nick has formed strong professional relationships with highly skilled barristers across all jurisdictions of the criminal law, and he understands the need to work collaboratively in factually and legally complex proceedings. Nick appreciates the advantage that can be gained from engaging expert defence witnesses such as psychiatrists, physicians, and accident reconstruction specialists.

Nick believes that every case, no matter its scale or gravity, is deserving of astute and thorough scrutiny to achieve the most favourable and just outcome.

Nick has practised exclusively in Criminal Law since his admission in 2013. In 2018, he became a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. He was appointed a Director of Slades & Parsons in October 2019.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Arts, both from Monash University. During his Honours year, he was awarded a high distinction for his thesis on the now abolished partial defence of Defensive Homicide, and he was awarded the top mark in the subject of Current Problems in Criminal Law.

Nick has significant experience in the trial and appellate jurisdictions of the County and Supreme Courts as an instructing solicitor in homicides, large-scale drug offences, sexual offences, serious driving offences and property offences.