Our Barristers
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Ryan Williams S.C.
Ryan joined the independent bar in 2024 after fifteen years as a prosecutor, then senior prosecutor with the Director of Public Prosecutions (SA).
He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2023.
He accepts briefs in both civil and criminal matters and regularly appears in serious and complex criminal trials, appeals, sentencing and confiscation of assets proceedings. He appears in all Australian jurisdictions including the High Court.
Ryan has also provided advice to the Attorney General, Solicitor General and Director of Public Prosecutions and is available for opinions in both civil and criminal cases.
Areas of law
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Matthew Christey
Prior to joining the bar, Matthew was with the South Australia Police, Assistant Director of the Australian Defence Force Abuse Taskforce, Senior Solicitor Assisting the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Commonwealth prosecutor (Sydney), Solicitor-Advocate for the Legal Services Commission of South Australia and Prosecutor for the Department of Public Prosecutions South Australia.
Areas of law
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
Ahura Kalali
Ahura commenced his legal career in 1995 in London, England and worked exclusively in criminal defence for 13 years before moving to Adelaide.
In 2008 he was admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia and spent the first 7 years at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (SA) as a prosecutor in the counsel section.
In 2015 Ahura returned to defence as an in-house counsel with the Legal Services Commission of SA and was an approved counsel for the Legal Services Commission’s Complex Criminal Law and Murder panel. This was followed by 4 years as Senior Counsel Assisting the State Coroner of SA.
Experience
Ahura has experience as trial counsel for both defence and prosecution in serious and complex criminal matters such as murder, attempted murder, serious and organised crime, large drug trafficking operations and sexual offences. During his time as Senior Counsel Assisting the State Coroner he conducted a number of complex and high profile inquests.
Areas of law
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Patrick Hill
Patrick was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of
South Australia in 2006.
Experience
From 2006 to 2009, Patrick worked in criminal defence for the Legal Services Commission, and then the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement. From 2009 to 2022, he worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), South Australia.
Patrick has appeared as lead trial counsel in respect of all types of charges, including murder, attempted murder, causing death by dangerous driving, and complex trials involving large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering. He has also appeared as lead counsel in the Court of Appeal, and the former Court of Criminal Appeal.
Areas of law
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
Raffaele Piccolo
Prior to joining the bar, Raffaele was a Federal Prosecutor in the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. In that role, Raffaele had conduct of cases which spanned the spectrum of federal criminal law. Previously, Raffaele worked as a defence solicitor in the Criminal Law Practice Division of the Legal Services Commission of South Australia.
In addition, Raffaele was formerly the Associate to the Chief Justice of the Australian Capital Territory, and an Associate to a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, the Honourable Justice Yates.
Raffaele is also a member of the Disciplinary and Appeals Committee for Football South Australia, and the Internal Sports Tribunal for Volleyball Australia.
Areas of law
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Mollie McKendrick
Prior to joining the bar, Mollie was working as a State Prosecutor with the South Australia Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She also worked as a Prosecutor with South Australia Police and a Solicitor on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. She spent several years as a Solicitor working for Australian Government Solicitor defending the Commonwealth in Civil Litigation Claims including claims against institutions for Historical Child Sexual Abuse.
Areas of law
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Sally Giles
Sally is an experienced advocate with a broad range of experience across many jurisdictions.
From August 2020 - January 2024 Sally was employed as Senior Counsel Assisting the State Coroner and Deputy State Coroner (the title of which changed in May 2023 to Special Counsel to the State Coroner and the Coroners Court). Sally has been Counsel Assisting in a number of complex and high profile inquests including medical related deaths, child protection matters, work health and safety matters, and deaths in custody.
Sally is experienced in regulatory prosecutions, having worked for a national safety regulator for a number of years, including as the Principal Prosecutor. Sally has appeared in regulatory prosecutions in multiple states/territories.
Sally also has significant experience as counsel in criminal trials in the District Court of South Australia, having been employed at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (SA) from 2010-2018.
After being admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 2009, Sally commenced her legal career as an Associate to the Honourable Justice Michael David of the Supreme Court (SA).
Areas of law
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Robert Walker
Robert was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in September 2009. He has appeared regularly as counsel in criminal trials in the Supreme, District, Youth and Magistrates Courts including appearing as lead counsel in murder trials, serious sexual offences, and serious drug offences. He has also appeared as lead counsel in appeals in the Court of Criminal Appeal and the Supreme Court and as junior counsel in the High Court of Australia.
Areas of law
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
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