# Philip Dunn (Lawyer)

Philip Dunn KC is an Australian barrister known for his extensive experience in criminal law. He holds an LLB from the University of Melbourne and has been practising law for over five decades. Philip Dunn was admitted to practice law on 1 March 1968 and signed the Bar Roll on 13 February 1969. He was appointed as Queen's Counsel (QC) on 5 December 1995, a title now known as King's Counsel (KC).

## Notable Cases

* Norman Lee - The Great Bookie Robbery (1970s): Defended Norman Lee in one of Australia's most notorious heists. The gang stole between $14 and $16 million from bookmakers. Lee was acquitted but was later killed during a robbery of a payroll truck.
* Detectives Lockwood and Avon - Walsh Street Police Murders (1994): Defended Detectives Lockwood and Avon, acquitted of the murder of Gary Abdallah following the Walsh Street police murders. This case involved the controversial killing of two police officers in 1988.
* Gary Ablett Senior - Drug Offences (2002): Defended AFL legend Gary Ablett Senior, who faced drug offences following the overdose death of Alisha Horan. Ablett was fined $1500.
* Carl Williams - Gangland Wars (2007): Defended Carl Williams, a central figure in Melbourne's gangland wars, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for multiple murders and conspiracy charges.
* Mick Hawi - Sydney Airport Brawl (2009): Represented Mick Hawi, former Comanchero bikie boss, in a notorious airport brawl. Hawi's murder conviction was later overturned.
* Sekonaia Vave - Drive-by Shooting (2017): Successfully defended Sekonaia Vave, acquitted of murder and attempted murder charges related to a drive-by shooting.
* Erin Patterson - Mushroom Poisoning Case (2023): Represented Erin Patterson, accused in a mushroom poisoning case involving multiple charges of murder and attempted murder.
* Carmen Lawrence - Easton Affair (1999): Defended Carmen Lawrence during her perjury trial related to the Easton Affair. Lawrence, a former Premier of Western Australia, was accused of giving false testimony about her knowledge of a controversial petition linked to the suicide of Penny Easton. She was acquitted of all charges in 1999.

## Professional Appointments

* Chairman of Foley's List of Barristers
* Member of the Victorian Bar Council
* Chairman of the Addiction Research Institute
* Member of the Lord Mayor's Drug Advisory Committee
* Committee member of the Criminal Bar Association of Victoria
* Committee member of the Victorian Bar Arts and Collections Committee
* Victorian Practising Counsel: Division of Bar Roll
* Victorian New Barristers Committee: Committee member

## Portrait Unveiling

A portrait of Philip Dunn KC and Robert Richter KC, painted by artist Ralph Heimans, was unveiled in 2023 and is displayed at the Victorian Bar in Melbourne, in tribute to their combined contributions to the legal profession.
* ↑ Lambert, Olivia. "Defence barrister Philip Dunn on Australia's most notorious robbery. News.com February 14, 2016".
* ↑ "Dad breaks silence over daughter's 5-day drug binge with Ablett Snr. Herald Sun. November 5, 2018".
* ↑ "'Veteran' makes Australian squad". The Age. 2002-05-26. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
* ↑ "Campbelltown crash". www.abc.net.au. 2018-02-16. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
* 1 2 "Why big shot barrister was picked to defend accused mushroom killer. Herald Sun. March 12, 2024".
* ↑ "Man found not guilty of pool hall shooting murder". www.9news.com.au. 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
* ↑ ""Carmen Lawrence Perjury Trial". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-06-10".
* ↑ "In Brief Issue #878 | Victorian Bar". www.vicbar.com.au. Retrieved 2024-06-17.