# David Bitel

David Lee Bitel (March 1, 1952 – August 20, 2016) was an Australian lawyer specializing in immigration and administrative law. He was a partner at Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers, a Sydney-based firm with a history dating back to 1888. Bitel played a significant role in shaping immigration law practice in Australia and was involved in various legal and human rights organizations.

## Career

Bitel joined Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers in 1976 and was instrumental in developing its immigration law practice, particularly following significant changes in administrative and immigration law during the 1980s. Under his leadership, the firm expanded into one of Australia's largest specialist immigration law practices.
He was a consultant author for Australian Immigration Law and was named an Honorary Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law by the Law Society of New South Wales. From 2008 to 2016, Bitel was regularly listed in Best Lawyers in Australia, published by the Australian Financial Review.

### Professional associations

Bitel was actively involved in numerous legal organizations, including:
* Law Society of NSW – Member of the Specialist Accreditation Committee and Human Rights Committee.
* Law Council of Australia – Member.
* International Bar Association (IBA) – Served as Senior Vice Chair of IBA Committee 14 from 2002 to 2004.
* Immigration Lawyers Association of Australia – Member.

### Human rights and community work

Beyond his legal career, Bitel was a strong advocate for human rights and refugee rights:
* Served as Secretary-General of the Australian Section of the International Commission of Jurists.
* Co-founded the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) in 1982 and served as its Chairman.
* Helped establish the Gay and Lesbian Immigration Task Force to provide support for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating Australian immigration law.
* Actively participated in the Australian Forum of Human Rights Organisations (AFHRO) to advocate for legal reforms.
In 2002, he received the Paul Cullen Humanitarian Award from Austcare in recognition of his contributions to refugee advocacy.

## Death

Bitel died from stomach cancer in Sydney on 20 August 2016.

## Accusations of sexual assault

On 4 December 2012, Bitel was arrested in Sydney and charged with 21 counts of sexual assault, including allegations of raping six male clients from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. The incidents were alleged to have taken place in Sydney between 1995 and 2004.
His law firm Parish Patience Lawyers attempted to prevent his name from being publicly disclosed, citing potential financial damage to the firm, but their request was denied.
In April 2015, after a six-month committal hearing, a Sydney magistrate ruled that Bitel would stand trial, stating there was a reasonable prospect that a jury, if properly informed, could convict the accused. However, he died before the trial could take place.
In 2004 a New Zealand lawyer had filed a complaint with the Australian Federal Police after hearing allegations of crimes committed by Bitel during his work visits to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Following an interview conducted by New Zealand police, no action was taken.

### Documentary film

The 2021 Australian documentary film Devil in a Lawyers Suit - a rapist posthumous logos features two of Bitel’s alleged victims speaking about the sexual abuse they suffered.