Criminal Lawyer – Central Coast / Newcastle

Erina & Newcastle | Full-time | Strong Court Exposure Fourtree Lawyers is looking for an experienced Criminal Lawyer to join our growing team across our Erina and Newcastle offices.

This is a hands-on role for a lawyer who enjoys advocacy, client contact and being in court.

We service clients across the Central Coast, Newcastle and surrounding regions, and you can expect regular appearances in courts throughout the Central Coast.

If you are looking for a role where you can actually run matters, appear in court and build your profile as a criminal lawyer, this is an excellent opportunity.

About Fourtree Lawyers

Fourtree Lawyers is an established law firm with offices in Erina and Newcastle, servicing clients throughout the Central Coast and Hunter regions. We pride ourselves on practical advice, strong advocacy and looking after our clients when they are dealing with some of the most stressful circumstances of their lives.

We are continuing to grow and are looking for a lawyer who wants to grow with us.

The role

You will take an active role in managing criminal matters from the initial client conference through to resolution. You will have regular opportunities to appear in court, advocate for clients, negotiate with prosecutors and take ownership of your files.

Your matters will include work across courts throughout the Central Coast, with the role operating primarily from our Erina and Newcastle offices.

Your work will include

- Appearing in Local and District Courts across the Central Coast and surrounding areas
- Advising clients charged with criminal and traffic offences
- Conducting bail applications, mentions, pleas, sentences and defended hearings
- Preparing matters for hearing and trial
- Developing case strategies and identifying evidentiary and procedural issues
- Reviewing briefs of evidence, police material and witness statements




- Drafting submissions, correspondence and other court documents
- Negotiating with police and prosecutors
- Conducting client conferences and providing clear, practical advice
- Managing your own matters with support from the wider team
- Working closely with counsel and expert witnesses where required

About you

We are looking for someone who is confident, practical and comfortable taking responsibility for their matters. Ideally, you will have:
- Admission to practise as a lawyer in New South Wales
- Experience practising in criminal law
- Strong knowledge of criminal procedure, evidence and sentencing
- Experience appearing in court
- Confidence dealing directly with clients
- Strong written and oral advocacy skills
- The ability to manage a busy caseload and competing deadlines
- Good judgement and the ability to think strategically about a matter
- A genuine interest in developing your career in criminal law

Experience dealing with more serious matters involving drug offences, assaults, sexual offences, fraud or complex criminal proceedings will be highly regarded.

Why join Fourtree Lawyers?

We want good lawyers to have the opportunity to become great lawyers. You will be joining a firm where you can build genuine advocacy experience rather than waiting years for the opportunity to run your own matters.

We offer

- Regular court exposure across the Central Coast
- Offices in both Erina and Newcastle
- The opportunity to manage and develop your own matters
- Support from experienced lawyers and a broader legal team
- Exposure to a broad range of criminal matters
- Ongoing professional development and mentoring
- Competitive remuneration based on experience
- Genuine opportunities for career progression
- A supportive and down-to-earth working environment

Most importantly, we want lawyers who are ambitious about becoming better advocates and building a robust criminal law practice.

📌 Criminal Lawyer - Central Coast | Regular Court Advocacy (Erina)
🏢 Justice Network
📍 Erina