Criminal lawyers in Brisbane
First, the 5 firms we picked in Brisbane, with the reason for each. Then every other firm in the area, so you can compare. Whether a firm suits your situation is something to check with the firm directly.
- Firms we picked
- 5
- Picks last checked
- 1 October 2026
How we pick
Every firm in our picks meets all four. Picks are not for sale.
- An office in the cityThe firm has an office in the city.
- A page for this area of lawIt has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website.
- An active ABNIt has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au).
- A merit signal we can citeIt has at least one merit signal we can point to: a Doyle's Guide listing for this area and state, a law society accredited specialist in this area, a Google rating of 4.5 or above from 50 or more reviews, or a notable reported case or recognised award.
What “our picks” means
These are our picks, which means our opinion, not a ranking and not a guarantee. We explain the reason for each pick and link to the evidence we used. Picks are not for sale. If a firm ever pays to be listed, it appears in a separate slot labelled Sponsored and is never counted among our picks.
Our picks
This is our opinion: firms that meet every criterion above. It is not a ranking, and the Google rating beside a firm is Google’s, not part of why we picked it.
Fisher Dore is a Queensland criminal defence law firm representing people across Queensland in serious and complex criminal matters. The firm has operated since 1977 and its team is available 24/7.
What the firm says it handles
- Sex offences
- Drug offences
- Traffic and drink driving
- Domestic violence
- Assault and violence
- Criminal appeals
+2 moreShow fewer
- Parole
- Fraud and business crime
Why we picked it
A Brisbane criminal defence firm that Doyle's Guide ranks in the First Tier for Queensland, with Nick Dore named Preeminent.
- Office
- Level 8, 420 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Fixed fees
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Gilshenan & Luton Lawyers
Brisbane CBD- Since 1924
- 17 lawyers
- 5 accredited specialists
Gilshenan & Luton is a Queensland criminal law and employment law firm based in Brisbane that serves clients across Queensland. The firm traces its origins to 1924 and is led by a team of directors.
What the firm says it handles
- Sexual offences
- Drug offences
- Firearms licencing and offences
- Assaults and offences of violence
- Fraud and dishonesty offences
- Youth justice & juvenile crime
+1 moreShow fewer
- Traffic
Why we picked it
A long-established Brisbane criminal and white-collar defence firm that Doyle's Guide ranks in the First Tier for Queensland, with several Leading-ranked lawyers.
- Office
- Level 9, 15 Adelaide Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Robertson O'Gorman is an established criminal law firm based in Brisbane, Queensland. The firm provides criminal defence, corporate crime, professional discipline, traffic law and related legal services. The firm has acted in Queensland for over 50 years.
What the firm says it handles
- Murder & manslaughter
- Sexual offences
- Drug offences
- Fraud & white collar crime
- Assault & violence offences
- Bail applications
+1 moreShow fewer
- Criminal appeals
Why we picked it
A Brisbane criminal defence firm that Doyle's Guide ranks in the First Tier for Queensland, with Dan Rogers named Preeminent.
- Office
- 5/8 Petrie Terrace, Petrie Terrace QLD 4000
- Fees, as the firm lists them
- Free first consultation
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Guest Lawyers
Brisbane CBD- 6 lawyers
Guest Lawyers is a Brisbane criminal law firm specialising in criminal and traffic matters. The firm represents clients in all courts across Queensland and interstate. They provide 24-hour availability and offer initial consultations, including prison visits.
What the firm says it handles
- Drug offences
- Assault and violent crime
- Domestic violence
- Sex offences
- Murder and manslaughter
- Drink driving
+1 moreShow fewer
- Appeals
Why we picked it
A Brisbane criminal and traffic firm that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier for Queensland, with Adam Guest named Preeminent.
- Office
- Level 1, 331 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
Bell Criminal Lawyers
Brisbane CBD- Since 2022
- 4 lawyers
- 3 accredited specialists
Bell Criminal Lawyers is a Brisbane-based firm specialising in criminal law. It was established in 2022. The firm has three Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law.
What the firm says it handles
- Drug offences
- Traffic offences
- Domestic violence
- Police investigations and interviews
- Youth crime
- Bail applications
+2 moreShow fewer
- Parole matters
- Appeals
Why we picked it
A small Brisbane criminal-only practice that Doyle's Guide places in the Second Tier for Queensland, led by Kristy Bell, ranked Leading and a Queensland Law Society accredited criminal law specialist.
- Doyle's Guide 2026: Second Tier Leading Criminal Defence Law Firm, Queensland (opens in a new tab)
- Doyle's Guide 2026: Kristy Bell (Bell Criminal Lawyers, Brisbane) listed Leading, Queensland (opens in a new tab)
- Firm page listing its Queensland Law Society accredited specialists in criminal law (opens in a new tab)
- Office
- Level 9, 193 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000
Their practice pageDetails checked 1 October 2026
If cost is the problem: free legal help
- Legal Aid Queensland
Free legal information line; grants of aid for eligible people facing criminal charges, plus a drug diversion advice line (1300 004 924) and a youth advice hotline (1800 527 527).
1300 65 11 88
- Caxton Legal Centre
Free legal advice on criminal and coronial matters for Queenslanders who cannot afford a lawyer.
1800 229 866
All firms
Different city or area?
When you need a criminal lawyer
Situations where people commonly speak to a criminal lawyer:
- You have been charged with an offence or told you will be.
- Police have asked you to attend an interview.
- You have a court date for a criminal charge.
Questions about criminal lawyers in Brisbane
- How does Zoe pick criminal lawyers in Brisbane?
- Every firm in our picks meets all of these. The firm has an office in the city. It has a dedicated page for this area of law on its own website. It has an active ABN, which we check on ABN Lookup (abr.business.gov.au). It has at least one merit signal we can point to: a Doyle's Guide listing for this area and state, a law society accredited specialist in this area, a Google rating of 4.5 or above from 50 or more reviews, or a notable reported case or recognised award. These are our picks, which means our opinion, not a ranking and not a guarantee. We explain the reason for each pick and link to the evidence we used.
- Are these lawyers paid to be listed?
- No. Picks are not for sale. If a firm ever pays to be listed, it appears in a separate slot labelled Sponsored and is never counted among our picks.
- What does criminal law cover?
- Criminal charges: being charged with an offence, police interviews, and court dates for criminal matters. This is general information, not legal advice about your situation.
- When do people speak to a criminal lawyer?
- Situations where people commonly speak to a criminal lawyer: You have been charged with an offence or told you will be; Police have asked you to attend an interview; You have a court date for a criminal charge. This is general information about common situations, not advice about yours.
- Are there free options for criminal matters in Brisbane?
- Yes. If cost is the problem, this page lists Legal Aid Queensland and Caxton Legal Centre under free options.
Ask Zoe about your situation
Describe what is happening and Zoe gives plain-English legal information grounded in the law. Your first messages are free.
Start a free chat with ZoeZoeLaw is not a law firm. Picks are our opinion; we don't share your details.
AI-generated legal information, not legal advice. Zoe can make mistakes. Check the cited sources, and before you act on this, rely on it, or use any draft, get a qualified Australian lawyer to check it.
