As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on 2024-the victories, challenges, and moments that defined our work. Before we get into it, we’d like to wish our readers and clients a prosperous New Year!
Without further ado… Inspired by the Spotify Wrapped phenomenon, here’s O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors version of a year in review!
🎧 697,000 Minutes of Pro Bono Work in Alice Springs
This year, our team of dedicated lawyers took on an incredible pro bono undertaking. Together, we completed 697,000* minutes to pro bono work in Alice Springs, standing up for justice where it’s needed most!
Read more about the experience here.
🎧🌟 Top Artist of 2024
Sidnie Sarang shone in the Australian Story episode Betrayal | Hannah Grundy, sharing insights into her client’s harrowing case of online abuse.
Read more about the sensational case here.
📰 Biggest Media Apologies
Three major publications-Sky News, The Australian, and The Daily Telegraph-issued apologies to our clients, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dance Group.
See more on the apologies.
🏆Firm’s Biggest Award
We were honoured to have received the Law Society NSW Pro Bono Service Award.
Find out more about the award.
👏 Solicitor’s Biggest Award
Congratulations to Peter O’Brien, recipient of the 2024 Law Council of Australia President’s Award!
Find out more about the award.
⚖️ Acquittals for Protestors
Three Legal Observers from the Rising Tide People’s Blockade had all charges acquitted, a win for peaceful activism.
🎉Our Top Activities
Represented the key witness in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
– Reached the finals with our firm’s soccer team!
– Peter O’Brien received both the Law Faculty Alumni Award and the UTS Chancellor’s Award for Excellence on the same night.
– Shared insights in the Law Society Journal on legal support for political activists.
– Gained 37 new 5-star Google reviews!
📺 Top TV Show Moments
Our media appearances kept us in the spotlight in 2024, including:
– Peter O’Brien on Bench TV discussing the William Spedding case.
– Stewart O’Connell on Channel 7 addressing the Bruce Lehrmann case.
– Peter on SBS’s Trial by Media.
– Sidnie Sarang on Australian Story.
– Peter on 60 Minutes Australia exploring Stephen ‘Shorty’ Jamieson’s case.
📊 Most Downloaded Stats
In 2024, we took on:
– 215 Civil Settlements
– 323 Criminal Cases
– 28 Defamation Claims
566 New Matters across all practice areas in 2024.
