Doyle’s Guide has released its 2026 rankings of Victoria’s Leading Criminal Law Barristers.
Parnell’s Barristers is pleased to announce that nine Senior Counsel members of our list have been recognised for their expertise and standing in this field:
Chris Carr SC practises in criminal, quasi-criminal and administrative law, with a particular focus on appellate and review proceedings. He is regularly engaged in complex and sensitive matters spanning the full spectrum of criminal law, from human rights cases to substantial white collar crime, as well as appearances before investigatory bodies such as IBAC and the ACC.
Neil Clelland KC’s principal practice is defence work in the area of commercial crime, including criminal prosecutions, civil penalty proceedings and matters arising from investigations by ASIC, the ATO and the ACCC. He also appears in Royal Commissions, inquiries and before a range of disciplinary and domestic tribunals.
Jason Gullaci SC accepts work across the criminal and quasi-criminal jurisdiction, with a strong appellate practice for both the prosecution and defence, including pro bono work in the WA Court of Appeal. He is regularly briefed by agencies including WorkSafe, the CDPP and the Office of Public Prosecutions, and conducts trials involving fraud, white collar crime and occupational health and safety matters.
He is Chair of the Criminal Bar Association and a member of the VLA Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister List. He practises in criminal law, disciplinary and tribunal proceedings, occupational health and safety, and appeals.
Sharon Lacy SC is a trial advocate practising principally in criminal law, and is a leader in the VLA Trial Counsel Development program. She also appears in coronial inquests, regulatory and disciplinary matters — including in sports law and medical and legal practice — and has served as counsel-assisting the coroner in a number of significant inquests.
He is Chair of Parnell’s Barristers and Vice-President of the Victorian Bar, bringing extensive experience across criminal trials, OHS, administrative law, judicial reviews and coronial inquests. He has successfully defended terrorism allegations before a jury in the Supreme Court of Victoria and maintains a significant appellate practice, including in the High Court of Australia.
Rishi Nathwani KC is an internationally recognised criminal barrister who practised at the Bar of England and Wales for over eleven years before joining the Victorian Bar, where he was appointed silk in 2023. His practice covers the most serious criminal matters — including murder, terrorism, organised crime and white collar offences — as well as regulatory work, confiscation, coronial inquests and public inquiries.
She is a criminal defence barrister who has been at the Victorian Bar since 2008, having previously practised as a solicitor. She was appointed silk in November 2021 and holds ICC accreditation, and is a member of the VLA Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister List.
She is an experienced trial advocate who has appeared in all types of criminal matters, including murder, conspiracy, corporate and tax fraud, OHS prosecutions and sexual offences. She has appeared in significant royal commissions, including as Counsel Assisting in the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants, and was formerly Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association of Victoria.
Inclusion in the Doyle’s Guide rankings reflects the strong regard in which these barristers are held by solicitors practising in criminal law across Victoria and nationally.
We congratulate each of them on this well-deserved recognition and their continued excellence in criminal law advocacy.
View the full 2026 Doyles Guide Senior Counsel Criminal Law rankings
