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Bill Doogue

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Bill Doogue
Born
William "Bill" Doogue

Australia
NationalityAustralian
OccupationCriminal defence lawyer
EmployerDoogue + George Defence Lawyers (founding partner)

William "Bill" Doogue is an Australian criminal defence lawyer and founding partner of Doogue + George Defence Lawyers, a Melbourne-based law firm.[1] He is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist and a founding member of the Australian Defence Lawyers Alliance (ADLA). Doogue has appeared in cases involving terrorism, foreign bribery, homicide, political corruption, and institutional abuse.[2][3]

Early life and career

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Doogue was admitted to legal practice in 1989 and became an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist in 1998.[4][5] He began his career with the Aboriginal Legal Service in the Northern Territory, representing individuals in remote Indigenous communities. In 1995, he established a criminal defence practice in Broadmeadows, Victoria.[4] The firm later merged with Andrew George Solicitors in 2013 to form Doogue + George Defence Lawyers. The practice expanded through the incorporation of Lethbridges Barristers and Solicitors in 2021 and Furstenberg Law in 2024.[6][7]

He has appeared in the County Court, Supreme Court of Victoria, and Federal courts. His work includes cases involving homicide, terrorism, white-collar offences, and regulatory investigations. He has represented clients including church officials at Royal Commission hearings and politicians from both state and federal parliaments.[4][8][9] Doogue served as Chair of the Broadmeadows Community Legal Centre and has participated in law reform consultations with Victoria Legal Aid.

He has appeared before several royal commissions, including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse,[5] the Royal Commission into the Detention of Children in the Northern Territory,[10][11][12] the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, and the Trade Union Royal Commission, where he represented Cesar Melhem.[13][14][15][16][17]

Doogue has criticised proposals for a public sex offender register, citing concerns about vigilantism and pointing to existing legal restrictions on offenders.[18]

Notable cases

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Securency and Note Printing Australia

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Doogue represented two former senior executives in proceedings involving Securency and Note Printing Australia, subsidiaries of the Reserve Bank of Australia.[19][20][21] The defendants faced foreign bribery charges under the Criminal Code Amendment (Bribery of Foreign Public Officials) Act 1999.[22][23] The case was one of the first major corporate prosecutions under this legislation and raised issues related to corporate liability and international investigations.

Abdul Nacer Benbrika

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Doogue acted for Abdul Nacer Benbrika, who was convicted in 2008 on terrorism-related charges. In 2023, Doogue appeared in the High Court of Australia in a constitutional challenge to the revocation of Benbrika’s citizenship under the Australian Citizenship Act, addressing the scope of executive power.[24][25][26]

Erin Patterson

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In 2024 and 2025, Doogue represented Erin Patterson, who was charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in the 2023 Leongatha mushroom poisoning incident.[27][28][29][30][31] The trial involved allegations that Patterson served a meal containing toxic mushrooms in Leongatha, Victoria.[32][33][34][35] The case drew significant media attention due to its unusual circumstances and forensic complexity.[36][37][38]

Perry Kouroumblis

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Doogue acted for Perry Kouroumblis following his extradition from Greece in relation to the 1977 Easey Street murders in Melbourne.[39][40][41][42][43] Kouroumblis was charged with two counts of murder and one count of rape.[44][45][46][47] At the time of the offences, he was 17 years old. His arrest, executed under an Interpol red notice, led to extradition proceedings and committal hearings in 2025.[48][49][42] The case involved historical evidence, DNA review, and witness reliability issues.[50]

Andrew Theophanous

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Doogue represented former federal MP Andrew Theophanous in post-conviction proceedings stemming from a 2002 bribery and misconduct conviction.[51][52][53][54] He raised concerns regarding the non-disclosure of evidence by the former National Crime Authority. A conspiracy to defraud charge was quashed in 2006, though attempts to overturn other convictions were unsuccessful.[52][53]

Peter Hollingworth

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Between 2015 and 2023, Doogue represented former Governor-General Peter Hollingworth during proceedings before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and subsequent Anglican Church disciplinary processes.[55][56][57] In 2023, he represented Hollingworth in proceedings involving findings by the Diocese of Melbourne’s Professional Standards Board.[58]

Kumanjayi Walker

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Doogue was part of the legal team representing the Warlpiri Parrumpurru Committee during the inquest into the 2019 police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu, Northern Territory.[59][60] The case drew national attention and involved scrutiny of police conduct, Indigenous justice issues, and community responses to state authority.[61]

Rabbi Avrohom Glick

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In 2014, Doogue acted for Rabbi Avrohom Glick during a Victoria Police investigation into historical sexual abuse allegations.[62][63] Police declined to proceed due to insufficient evidence. Doogue publicly defended his client and criticised media coverage of the case.[64][65][66]

Ben Gray

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In 2015, Melbourne businessman Ben Gray sought legal advice from Doogue after receiving threatening messages from casino executive James Packer.[67][68] The communications were later examined in the New South Wales Crown Casino inquiry.[69][70][71][72] Doogue’s role included legal consultation regarding reputational and safety concerns arising from the communications.

Dean Laidley

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In 2020, Doogue represented former AFL player and coach Dean Laidley following his arrest.[73] He condemned the unlawful leak of custody photographs and called for an investigation into police conduct.[74][75][76][77] He called for an investigation into the conduct of Victoria Police officers and described the leak as "disgraceful" and "unlawful." The matter led to an internal investigation by Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command.

Public commentary and initiatives

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Doogue has written and commented on topics including sentencing practices, legal databases, and regulatory compliance. In 2016, he launched an online tool designed to assist self-represented defendants in minor criminal matters, considered the first known use of such technology in Australian criminal law.[78][79] The tool generated written court statements for individuals pleading guilty to summary offences without prior convictions.

He has incorporated artificial intelligence tools in managing large volumes of evidence in complex cases. Doogue has published commentary on sentencing, criminal procedure, and sex offender legislation, including in the Law Institute Journal. He co-authored a guide on responding to ASIC investigations and, in 2025, wrote about enforcement by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the strategic use of tax charges in white-collar crime prosecutions.[80][81]

Recognition

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Doogue’s work has been covered in The Age,[24][40][44] The Australian,[27][48][56] The Guardian,[55][76][70] CNN,[82] and The Daily Mail.[72][35] He is regularly cited in commentary related to criminal law reform in Australia.

He received the Law Institute of Victoria Service Award in 2013.[83][84] He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia and ranked as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria by Doyle’s Guide.[85]

References

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  1. ^ "Bill Doogue - Criminal Law - LawGuide". www.lawguide.com.au. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  2. ^ Council, Boston (Mass ) City (1885). Reports of Proceedings ... Municipal Printing Office.
  3. ^ Cerwonka, Allaine (2004). Native to the Nation: Disciplining Landscapes and Bodies in Australia. U of Minnesota Press. ISBN 978-0-8166-4348-6.
  4. ^ a b c "Mr. Bill Doogue, Lawyer at Doogue + George Defence Lawyers". www.hg.org. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  5. ^ a b Kothrakis, Bill Doogue and Kristina (2013-05-13). Dealing With Allegations of Sexual Assault. Doogue + George Defence Lawyers.
  6. ^ "Doogue + George". Doyle's Guide. 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  7. ^ "Doogue + George Defence Lawyers - HG.org". www.hg.org. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  8. ^ "Royal Commission - Transcript Day 1 - Public hearing 9, Brisbane" (PDF).
  9. ^ "Royal Commission - Transcript Day 1 - Public hearing 19, Virtual" (PDF).
  10. ^ "Royal Commission into the Detention of Children in the Northern Territory - Transcript 17 March 2017" (PDF).
  11. ^ "Royal Commission into the Detention of Children in the Northern Territory - Transcript-13-March-2017" (PDF).
  12. ^ "Royal Commission into the Detention of Children in the Northern Territory - Transcript 12 October 2016" (PDF).
  13. ^ "Trade Union Royal Commission – Representation of Cesar Melhem" (PDF).
  14. ^ "10 Oct 2018 - AWU Witness List 2014 - Archived Website". Trove. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  15. ^ "10 Oct 2018 - 1 June 2015—Public hearing - Archived Website". Trove. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  16. ^ "CesarMelhem-WitnessStatement" (PDF).
  17. ^ "Cesar Melhem" (PDF).
  18. ^ "A public sex offender register". libertyvictoria.org.au. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  19. ^ "Note Printing Australia to pay legal bills for former boss". www.bankingday.com. 2015-05-22. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  20. ^ White, Nic (2015-05-26). "Note Printing ordered to pay CEO legal bills". Sprinter. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  21. ^ "Guilty Pleas made by Note Printing Australia and Securency in the Supreme Court of Victoria | Media Releases". Reserve Bank of Australia. 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  22. ^ "Combatting corporate crime: protecting your business against the consequences of bribery and corruption". www.mondaq.com. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  23. ^ "Important lessons for directors from a bribery scandal - AICD". www.aicd.com.au. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  24. ^ a b Estcourt, David (2024-06-06). "This 'extremely poor' terror-prediction tool jailed Benbrika. It's still being used". The Age. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  25. ^ Estcourt, David; Thompson, Angus (2023-12-19). "Terror leader Abdul Nacer Benbrika to walk free after Supreme Court order". WAtoday. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  26. ^ "Benbrika v Minister for Home Affairs".
  27. ^ a b "Murder trial of leongatha mushroom chef erin patterson begins". The Australian. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  28. ^ Flower, Wayne (2023-08-29). "Erin Patterson makes flying visit to lawyer's office". Mail Online. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  29. ^ "Victoria's alleged mushroom murders case: court hears Erin Patterson may not face committal hearing until 2025". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  30. ^ Lackey, Brett (2024-03-09). "Mushroom cook Erin Patterson hires gangland lawyer". Mail Online. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  31. ^ "Accused mushroom murderer faces court". news. Archived from the original on 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  32. ^ "Woman at centre of mushroom mystery visits lawyers, one month after deadly meal". www.9news.com.au. 2023-08-29. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  33. ^ Staff, A. O. L. (2025-04-30). "'Mushroom murder' trial: Defense claims death of lunch guests was a 'terrible accident'". www.aol.com. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  34. ^ Pearson, Erin (2025-04-29). "Accused mushroom cook killer has attempted murder charges dropped ahead of trial". The Age. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  35. ^ a b Lackey, Brett (2024-03-09). "Mushroom cook Erin Patterson hires gangland lawyer". Mail Online. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  36. ^ "Mushroom cook Erin Patterson faces court after police lay murder charges over deadly meal". www.9news.com.au. 2023-11-03. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  37. ^ Flower, Wayne (2025-06-17). "Lack of motive exposed in 'flawed prosecution' of Erin Patterson". Mail Online. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  38. ^ "Woman on trial for 'mushroom murders' should not be found guilty for 'lying', defence argues". LBC. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  39. ^ Thomas-Sam, Alysia (24 September 2024). "Perry Kouroumblis was arrested over the Easey Street murders. Now the long extradition process starts as a friend reveals his shock". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  40. ^ a b Silvester, John (22 September 2024). "Easey Street suspect unmasked as link to victims emerges". The Age. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  41. ^ Ham, Larissa (20 September 2024). "Man arrested in Rome almost 50 years after infamous Easey Street murders in Melbourne's Collingwood". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  42. ^ a b Silva, Kristian (3 December 2024). "Easey Street murder suspect to face charges of murder, rape after extradition". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  43. ^ writers, Staff (2025-02-27). "Perry Kouroumblis to face court again in June over 1977 Easey Street murders". NEOS KOSMOS. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  44. ^ a b Vedelago, Chris (24 September 2024). "What accused Easey Street double killer told friends when he left Australia". The Age. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  45. ^ Ward, Tara Cosoleto and Rachael (2024-12-04). "Easey Street families stare down alleged double killer". www.canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  46. ^ "Easey St, Melbourne: Police charge Perry Kouroumblis with 1977 double-murder of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  47. ^ McKenna, Josephine (25 September 2024). "Easey Street murder suspect agrees to extradition from Rome". The Age. The Age. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  48. ^ a b "Easey St, Melbourne: Police charge Perry Kouroumblis with 1977 double-murder of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett". The Australian. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  49. ^ "Easey Street accused faces court charged with murder, rape over 1977 killings". ABC News. 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  50. ^ Giannopoulos, Bill (2025-02-27). "Alleged Easey Street Killer Back in Court, Case Adjourned for DNA Review Greek City Times". Greek City Times. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  51. ^ "Theophanous bribery sentence halved". ABC News. 2003-07-31. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  52. ^ a b "Theophanous goes down in history, for six years". The Age. 2002-06-12. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  53. ^ a b "Theophanous sentenced to six years' jail". The Age. 2002-06-11. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  54. ^ "R v Theophanous [2003] VSCA 99 (31 July 2003)". www.austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  55. ^ a b Knaus, Christopher (2023-05-01). "Failure to defrock Peter Hollingworth undermines Anglican church's credibility, abuse prevention groups say". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  56. ^ a b "Victims Plea to stoppeter Hollingworth Leading Anglican Services". The Australian. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  57. ^ "Senate motion could strip Peter Hollingworth of $600,000 public benefits". ABC News. 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  58. ^ "Archbishop of Adelaide calls on Dr Hollingworth to resign his orders". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  59. ^ "The death of Kumanjayi Walker". The Monthly. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  60. ^ "Yuendumu community and Kumanjayi Walker's family 'unanimously' vote to appoint legal representatives". ABC News. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  61. ^ "Justice for Kumanjayi Walker Timeline - Human Rights Law Centre". www.hrlc.org.au. 2025-06-03. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  62. ^ Lee, Jane (2015-02-12). "Rabbi Abraham Glick resigned from Yeshivah College". The Age. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  63. ^ Davey, Melissa (2015-02-12). "Rabbi has 'no recollection' of stripping child sex abuse victim of scholarship". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  64. ^ Benjamin, Henry (2014-03-04). "Rabbi Glick: His solicitor speaks". J-Wire. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  65. ^ "Top Australian Chabad Rabbi Cleared of Raping Student". The Forward. 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  66. ^ Zwartz, Stephen Cauchi and Barney (2014-02-28). "Charges dropped against Rabbi Glick". The Age. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  67. ^ Mayne, Stephen (2020-10-07). "It's time for Commissioner Bergin to put Packer's 'shameful, disgraceful' emails on the table". Crikey. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  68. ^ Houston, Cameron (2020-12-16). "James Packer sued by security guard over alleged casino assault". WAtoday. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  69. ^ McKenzie, Nick; Hatch, Patrick; Danckert, Sarah (2020-10-06). "James Packer tells casino inquiry he threatened a businessman over a privatisation deal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  70. ^ a b Davies, Anne (2020-11-05). "James Packer should no longer be approved as a close associate of Crown Resorts, casino inquiry told". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  71. ^ "Introducing Crown Resorts' mysterious suitor Mr X". Australian Financial Review. 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  72. ^ a b Lackey, Brett (2020-10-08). "James Packer admits Crown's failings during inquiry into crime links". Mail Online. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  73. ^ "Laidley lawyers hit out after former North Melbourne coach's arrest". The Age. 2020-05-03. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  74. ^ "Police investigate 'disgraceful' leaked photos of Dean Laidley after arrest". Yahoo Sports. 2020-05-03. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  75. ^ "Former AFL Player and Coach Dean Laidley Arrested". The Australian. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  76. ^ a b Press, Australian Associated (2020-12-14). "Two more officers charged over allegedly leaking photos of former AFL coach Dani Laidley". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  77. ^ "Dean Laidley released on bail after court hears of former AFL coach's drug and mental health issues". ABC News. 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  78. ^ "Robot lawyer 'to help unrepresented share story in court'". ABC News. 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  79. ^ "Need Legal Help? Give This Robot Lawyer a Try". Futurism. 2016-12-05. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  80. ^ George, Doogue +; Sponsor, Content (2025-01-14). "How to prepare your clients should the police or regulators come knocking". www.lawyersweekly.com.au. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  81. ^ "To Tax or Not to Tax (Atop a Nontax Crime) — That Is a Question | Tax Notes". www.taxnotes.com. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  82. ^ Yeung, Jessie; Whiteman, Hilary (2025-04-30). "'Mushroom murder' trial: Defense claims death of lunch guests was a 'terrible accident'". CNN. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  83. ^ "Bill Doogue - Criminal Law - LawGuide". www.lawguide.com.au. 2023-11-02. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  84. ^ Doogue + George (2020-09-07). Bill Doogue | Director | Doogue + George Criminal Defence Lawyers. Retrieved 2025-07-07 – via YouTube.
  85. ^ Guide, Doyles (2025-06-17). "Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers - Victoria, 2025". Doyle's Guide. Retrieved 2025-07-06.

Further reading

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  • Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Assault by Bill Doogue. Doogue + George Defence Lawyers, 2013.
  • "Corporate Compliance Under the National Anti-Corruption Commission" by Bill Doogue. Law Institute Journal, 2025.
  • "ASIC Investigations and Legal Strategy" by Bill Doogue. Australian Corporate Lawyer, 2023.
  • "To Tax or Not to Tax (Atop a Nontax Crime)" by Bill Doogue. Tax Notes, 2025.
  • "A Public Sex Offender Register? Why Existing Laws Are Enough" by Bill Doogue. Liberty Victoria, 2023.
  • "Bill Doogue on Mandatory Reporting in the Wake of Lawyer X." ABC News, 2020.
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