Stephen is experienced in complex litigation, dispute resolution, inquiries, integrity, governance, administrative, medical, international and criminal law. Stephen has a keen interest in the implementation of law reform projects. Stephen practises in:

• Administrative and Public law
• Matters involving integrity agencies (including ICAC, Ombudsman SA and local government)
• Commissions and inquiries (including Royal Commissions)
• Coronial inquests
• Medical negligence
• Disciplinary and Health Practitioner Tribunals
• Criminal Law (including appeals)
• International Law
• Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Industrial and Employment Law
• Personal Injury
• Opinions and advice generally

Stephen has specialist knowledge of integrity and governance matters. Immediately prior to joining the Bar, Stephen was the Acting Inspector and Deputy Inspector of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Office for Public Integrity, and Ombudsman SA.

Stephen was previously the Director of the Royal Commission Response Unit and State Redress Response Unit coordinating the South Australian Government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission, Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission and National Redress Scheme following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

As Special Counsel to the State Coroner between 2019 and 2022, Stephen was Counsel Assisting in complex inquests involving medical related deaths, mental health, domestic violence, police involvement, child protection, work health and safety, and deaths in custody.

Stephen has expertise in matters relating to law enforcement generally, having worked as Prosecution Consultant to South Australia Police.

Stephen has significant experience as counsel in criminal trials and appeals, having worked as a Prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in both South Australia and the Northern Territory between 2010 and 2019.

As a Senior Legal Officer at the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, Stephen provided advice to the Commonwealth Government on matters of international law, including international crime cooperation, international legal assistance to Pacific island countries, mutual assistance and extradition, policing legislation, criminal assets confiscation and juvenile justice.

Implementation of significant law reform projects is an area of particular interest to Stephen. He has been responsible for coordinating projects including juvenile justice initiatives in Papua New Guinea, training of police and lawyers following Major Indictable Reform, and establishing the Office of the Inspector in South Australia.

Stephen was the Secretariat Coordinator for the Pacific Islands Law Officers’ Network (PILON).

Stephen is an NMAS Accredited Mediator and practises as a mediator. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and has a Master of Laws (International Law).

Stephen accepts briefs, opinions and undertakes mediations nationally.