Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally

Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally is the leading criminal defence firm in Melbourne. We represent clients in complex, high-stakes matters.

Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Criminal Law Specialists. www.starylaw.com
Ph: (03) 8622 8200 * Available 24/7

If you've never been inside a courtroom before, it's completely normal to feel uncertain about what to expect.Understand...
08/09/2026

If you've never been inside a courtroom before, it's completely normal to feel uncertain about what to expect.

Understanding who everyone is, what their role is and what happens when your matter is called can help make the experience a little less daunting.

Every criminal matter is different, but knowing the courtroom environment is often the first step towards feeling more prepared.

Save this guide for future reference.

Nick Jane, who represented Thomas Carrick, speaks to The Feed SBS about the controversial Australian Federal Police cove...
07/09/2026

Nick Jane, who represented Thomas Carrick, speaks to The Feed SBS about the controversial Australian Federal Police covert operation involving his autistic 13-year-old client.

Nick says the case raises serious questions about how authorities respond to vulnerable young people at risk of radicalisation — and whether the intervention in this case exploited Thomas’s vulnerabilities rather than addressing them.
“It was someone who recognised the vulnerability and preyed on it rather than helping him.”

While public safety must always be a priority, Nick says authorities must also consider the individual circumstances of a vulnerable young person and how intervention can reduce, rather than increase, risk.

Nick argues that the way Thomas was treated was “disgraceful” and ultimately “completely undermined his safety and the safety of the community.”

Watch The Feed’s investigation into autism, online extremism and youth radicalisation to hear more from Nick about Thomas’s case: https://www.starylaw.com/media-news/nick-jane-sbs-the-feed-13-year-old-afp-case

A little Friday lunch to finish off August. 🍴 Last Friday, we swapped the usual lunch break for a chance to sit down tog...
04/09/2026

A little Friday lunch to finish off August. 🍴

Last Friday, we swapped the usual lunch break for a chance to sit down together and enjoy some good food and good company in the office for SNHG's monthly boardroom lunch.

August has been a busy month, so it was nice to slow down for a couple of hours, catch up with everyone and finish the month together.

Now onto September. ✨

03/09/2026

What most people see is a lawyer standing in court.

What they don't see is the preparation that happens beforehand.

Every criminal matter involves understanding the circumstances, reviewing information, developing a legal strategy and working closely with clients before stepping into the courtroom.

At Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally, we know that strong legal representation begins well before a court appearance.

We were proud to be part of the Criminal & Family Law Association - CFLA's Annual Careers Fair today, with Partner Brett...
02/09/2026

We were proud to be part of the Criminal & Family Law Association - CFLA's Annual Careers Fair today, with Partner Brett Barratt and Senior Associate Lucy Massouras representing Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally. ⚖️

It was fantastic to meet so many law students and share an insight into what a career in criminal law can look like beyond the traditional corporate pathway.

Brett and Lucy enjoyed speaking with students about life in criminal defence, the work we do at Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally, and the many different pathways available within the profession.

Thank you to the CFLA for bringing together students, practitioners and organisations from across the criminal and family law professions.

We’re proud to support the next generation of lawyers and encourage students to explore the many rewarding opportunities available in criminal law.

August was a month of achievements, celebrations and new beginnings at Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally.Here’s a look bac...
02/09/2026

August was a month of achievements, celebrations and new beginnings at Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally.

Here’s a look back at some of the highlights from the month:

🎓 Celebrating Louise Conwell

We farewelled our colleague and Partner, Louise Conwell, as she embarked on an exciting new chapter in her legal career with her admission to the Victorian Bar.

Louise has been an integral part of our firm, and we are incredibly proud to see her take this next step. We thank her for her friendship, leadership and outstanding contribution to Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally and wish her every success at the Bar.

🏆 Recognising Paul Galbally & Sam Norton

We were proud to see Partners Paul Galbally and Sam Norton recognised as Leading Criminal Lawyers – White Collar Crime in the 2026 Doyle’s Guide rankings.

The recognition reflects their extensive experience, expertise and longstanding contribution to criminal defence. Congratulations to Sam and Paul on this well-deserved achievement.

🥂 Celebrating our Operations Team

We also took some time to celebrate the incredible people behind the scenes who keep our firm running smoothly.

Our Operations Team enjoyed a long lunch at Oriental Tea House — a chance to step away from the day-to-day and recognise their hard work, dedication and support throughout the year.

Thank you to everyone who made August such a memorable month. We’re looking forward to everything the months ahead will bring.

There are plenty of misconceptions about criminal law, and believing the wrong advice can make an already stressful situ...
01/09/2026

There are plenty of misconceptions about criminal law, and believing the wrong advice can make an already stressful situation even more confusing.

In this carousel, we've addressed three common myths we hear regularly.

Every legal matter is different, and the information shared here is general in nature. If you're unsure about your rights or the legal process, obtaining legal advice early can help you understand your options.

Which myth surprised you the most?

Save this post for future reference.

No two days are the same in criminal law.Meet Luke Metherell, Lawyer.From preparing matters to appearing in court, Luke ...
27/08/2026

No two days are the same in criminal law.

Meet Luke Metherell, Lawyer.

From preparing matters to appearing in court, Luke works closely with clients to navigate complex criminal proceedings.

We asked Luke what he values most about practising criminal law:

“It’s the privilege of being trusted to be a relentless champion for someone - particularly when they have a lot to lose. While advocacy is the most professionally fulfilling part of my job, what I value the most personally is the last conversation I have with a client—where they are finally unburdened by upcoming court dates and can begin to focus on the things that truly matter to them.”

At Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally, our lawyers are committed to providing practical advice, strong advocacy and support at every stage of the criminal justice process.

To learn more about Luke and his work in criminal law, visit his profile: https://www.starylaw.com/melbourne/luke-metherell

25/08/2026

Being charged with a criminal offence does not always mean a criminal conviction will follow.

In some circumstances, eligible individuals may be considered for the Criminal Justice Diversion Program, which can allow a matter to be dealt with without recording a criminal conviction if the program is successfully completed.

Diversion is not available in every case, and eligibility depends on a range of factors. Careful preparation and presenting the right material to the court can play an important role in a diversion application.

Want to know more? Read our full guide to the Criminal Justice Diversion Program in Victoria: https://www.starylaw.com/news/criminal-justice-diversion-program-in-victoria

A great afternoon today celebrating our incredible Operations Team! ✨We enjoyed a lovely long lunch at Oriental Tea Hous...
21/08/2026

A great afternoon today celebrating our incredible Operations Team! ✨

We enjoyed a lovely long lunch at Oriental Tea House , taking some time away from the busy day-to-day to recognise the hard work, dedication and support our Operations Team brings to Stary Norton Halphen & Galbally.

Thank you for everything you do to keep the firm running smoothly. It was wonderful to enjoy a day out, while our lovely temp and the lawyers manned the office.

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Level 12, 460 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

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