The 5 Best Assault Lawyers in Melbourne to Have on Your Side
I’ll never forget the day a friend called me, panicked, because she didn’t know where to turn after an assault incident. Watching her try to figure out the legal maze made me realise just how overwhelming it can be.
When it comes to serious matters like assault cases, the question isn’t whether you need a lawyer; it’s who you can actually trust.
If you’ve ever been in this situation (knock on the wood), and are unsure who to call, we’ve done the legwork for you. Drawing on client feedback and case outcomes, we’ve compiled a list of the best assault lawyers in Melbourne.
How much do assault lawyers in Melbourne charge for their services?
Assault lawyers in Melbourne typically charge an hourly rate of $250 to $650 or more for senior criminal lawyers.
1. Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers
Address: 462 William St, West Melbourne
Phone: +61 3 9326 6606
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers is a firm that’s very much built for assault cases—especially the serious, high-stress ones.
They handle a lot of assault matters, including domestic violence charges, assault causing injury, and indecent assaults. They even handle murder charges too.
A big theme we’ve noticed from client feedback was their persistence.
One client charged with assaulting an emergency worker said multiple lawyers refused to help or said there was no way out.
George, one of the team’s lawyers, stepped in confidently. He brought in top experts and kept encouraging the client not to give up. The end result? No conviction, no record, no fines, case dismissed.
Strategically, they seem comfortable applying real pressure.
In one incident, the team challenged evidence and pushed the prosecution hard. They kept fighting after getting an already decent sentencing indication.
They didn’t settle for “good enough” and ended up securing a diversion.
That said, their fees can be confusing. Some clients have mentioned paying just to speak with a junior lawyer and facing high upfront costs.
He got a lot of respect from the judge and the prosecutor in court
“I want to share my experience with these lawyers who did a wonderful job for me. I have never been in trouble before and they guided me really well. They explained how serious my charges were of breaching my intervention order against my partner by assault and they quickly put me onto men’s behavior change course that really helped me deal with my anger issues and also helped me in court. George was very good in court and everyone in court noticed it. He got a lot of respect from the judge and the prosecutor in court. The result I got was great. I was not convicted and my partner and I are extremely appreciative. Thank you George and team. Very happy with your service.”
Xuan Zhou, Google review
I am quite happy with the services being provided by them
“Had an amazing experience with George and Josh. I was being well informed about every detail required for the case. I had an assault charges which was being dropped in one hearing when My lawyer talked to the prosecutors. It was a bit difficult case too but they handled it way smoothly. I am quite happy with the services being provided by them and it’s one of the best criminal lawyers agency I would definitely recommend. They are not minting money out of people at all. They do understand the people’s emotions. The give you every other solution to solve the case as fast as they can.”
Dr. Aman, Google review
2. John Smith Legal Barristers & Solicitors
Address: 24/570 Bourke St
Phone: +61 3 8658 5872
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
John Smith Legal’s experience spans the full spectrum. They do common assault matters right through to serious charges like Causing Injury in Circumstances of Gross Violence.
One of the strongest themes we heard from feedback is Josh Smith’s ability to reduce damage when things look grim.
Multiple clients described situations where jail time felt almost inevitable. With his help, outcomes like no conviction, diversions, or downgraded charges were achieved.
The firm is also proactive. Some clients said Josh stepped in early and convinced the police not to lay charges at all.
We also liked the free consultation. Being able to talk things through without paying upfront helps people understand where they stand before making big decisions.
However, communication is where the cracks sometimes show. While some clients felt fully supported and kept in the loop, others mentioned unanswered emails and needing to chase for clarity.
Hands down, the best lawyer there is in Melbourne
“Amazing lawyers!!! Josh smith handled my case from start to finish and I am over the moon wi to his work and the best result we got ever! We were at Dandenong magistrates court for a bad assault in public against a woman in the public and the judge said he was going to put me in jail first up, but Josh som how talked him down and did a great job in court and got me a no conviction Hands down the best lawyer there is in Melbourne”
Payden Collinson, Google review
Josh consistently went above and beyond
“Josh consistently went above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcome for my case. Thanks to Josh’s expertise and hard work, everything was resolved more smoothly than I could have hoped and I walked away avoiding a criminal record…”
Dylan, Google review
3. Garde-Wilson Criminal Lawyers
Address: Level 40/140 William St
Phone: +61 400 002 188
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Zarah Garde-Wilson, the lead lawyer in the Garde-Wilson firm, has spent over 20 years doing nothing but criminal cases, especially on assault charges.
There’s no dabbing in other areas. That kind of focus shows in how they approach their cases.
We noticed how early they get stuck into the case. Rather than waiting for things to drag on, the team challenges police evidence early.
They also push for charges to be dropped, withdrawn, or diverted before they snowball.
One client even said they switched to them from another firm, and their charge was withdrawn by VicPol before it even reached a hearing.
We also appreciate their 24/7 support, quick bail help, and solid prep from the first police interview through to court.
Zarah herself gets a lot of praise from feedback. Clients regularly mention her integrity, fairness, and how sharp she is in court.
Some even said she’s clearly respected by judges and police, which is always an advantage.
However, not everyone had a perfect experience. One person said the legal process wasn’t broken down well.
They are both fantastic at what they do
“My wife and myslef were unfortunately caught up in some drama that got us charged. From the moment we contacted Mitch, he made us feel very welcomed and continued to reasure us both it was going to all be ok. He sat us down and talked us through our options and the outcome that would follow. We ended up walking away with no criminal convictions and a good behaviour bond. My wife and I can’t thank Mitch and Sarah enough. They are both fantastic at what they do. I highly recommend them both. Again, thank you so much, guys.”
Shannon Trudgett, Google review
Great result overall
“Was dealing with a number of allegations and had these guys defend me for multiple potentially serious criminal charges. Due to a combination of their professionalism, expertise and a bit of luck; I came out unscathed. Of the multiple charges, I plead guilty to two. I ended up getting an undertaking which was the lowest of low penalties(almost non-existent). While all the others were withdrawn. Great result overall.”
Alix Leigh, Google review
4. Gallant Law Criminal Lawyers Melbourne
Address: Level 11/456 Lonsdale St
Phone: +61 3 9070 9885
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Gallant Law handles all kinds of assault cases—from common assault to serious violence, including assaults on police or emergency workers.
We’ve heard they’ve taken cases through the Magistrates’, County, and Supreme Courts. It’s handy if things get complicated.
Clients often mentioned Lauren and Giselle’s expertise in handling bail applications and appeals. Sometimes things even get tricky—mixed with other charges like drug offences.
The team doesn’t just look at the case. They consider your mental health, personal history, and long-term goals.
People say the team is clear, patient, and genuinely cares. It’s something you really want if you’re dealing with assault charges.
The main downside? Cost. Their rates are higher than other assault lawyers in Melbourne, according to the clients we spoke with.
It seems worth it if you want expert, hands-on support. But they might not be the best choice if you’re looking for a much more affordable service.
Lauren is a pleasure to deal with
“Lauren is a pleasure to deal with. She was prompt, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable about the entire process. If you’re looking for experienced Melbourne criminal lawyers who genuinely care and provide clear guidance, Gallant Law is an excellent choice.”
Matthew Collis, Google review
Lauren and the team at Gallant Law are outstanding lawyers!
“Lauren and the team at Gallant Law are outstanding lawyers! All of them work with high integrity and professionalism and are truly empathetic to all their client matters. They are available 24hours to attend to their client matters. If you’re looking for a criminal lawyer, you should definitely reach out to Lauren and her team.”
Ayse Aslan, Google review
5. Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers
Address: 4/271 William St
Phone: +61 3 8644 7320
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 7 AM – 12 AM
From what we’ve gathered, Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers has handled over 38,000 criminal cases.
They have a team of 20 specialists, which means they’re well-equipped to take on complex assault cases.
We were impressed that they’re great at handling cases with overlapping charges, like unlawful assault plus intentional injury.
They make the prosecution work hard for every charge while building strong defences like self-defence or emergency justifications.
Clients are consistently impressed with the team, especially Tom Woodward. They said he’s calm, confident, and approachable.
One person even shared how he managed a complicated assault case for diversion. He stayed on top of every detail and made him feel supported throughout.
Compassion and professionalism seem to be his trademarks. That matters when you’re dealing with stressful legal situations.
That said, the firm’s services aren’t exactly cheap. Their prices are higher than some other firms.
His knowledge on the matter resulted in a brief & successful outcome
“I was charged with assault after defending myself in a domestic violence situation. Tom Woodward, Solicitor, was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. His knowledge, confidence & encouragement on the matter resulted in a brief & successful outcome within the week. Would not hesitate to use this firm in the future.”
Cupcake 78, Google review
He was very approachable and available anytime to take my calls
“I had the privilege of being represented by Tom Woodward during a recent application for diversion. Tom handled my complicated case with ease and professionalism throughout always assuring me he would manage any situation that arose and did just that.Thanks to his tenacity and courage to stand up for me he secured diversion for me for unlawful assault charges . From the very first moment I met him, he gained my trust due to his calm and confident demeanour. He was very approachable and available anytime to take my calls and return all emails…”
Haido Lema, Google review