Top Doyle's Guide-Ranked Criminal Defence Lawyers in Victoria

Doyle's Guide produces annual peer-reviewed rankings of Australian lawyers across practice areas, including criminal defence in Victoria. Recognition in the guide reflects standing within the profession itself rather than self-promotion, with the Pre-eminent and Leading tiers identifying the practitioners most often referenced by peers. Specialist counsel at the upper tiers of the Doyle's rankings matters in matters where peer-reviewed standing is itself a relevant signal. All lawyers profiled below are recognised by Doyle's Guide and Best Lawyers.

1. Bill Doogue, Doogue + George

Bill Doogue practises as a Director of Doogue + George, with a cross-border footprint that includes the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore. His admissions in Victoria, the High Court of Australia, and New Zealand date back to 1991, giving him more than three decades of senior criminal defence experience.

The categories Doogue is most often briefed on are tax fraud, white collar crime, and complex commercial crime, with cross-jurisdictional elements common across his practice. He is recognised by Doyle's Guide as Pre-eminent in Criminal Law Defence and is listed in Best Lawyers for Criminal Defence (2025).

What sets Doogue apart in this category is the combination of an international practice base with senior trial experience and a systems-driven approach to managing complex briefs, reflected in his CCH technology award for database design. He runs the Australian Criminal Lawyers Conference, a forum that draws senior criminal defence practitioners from across the country. For matters that involve overseas evidence, foreign-agency cooperation, or extradition considerations, that combination of factors is hard to replicate elsewhere in the Australian profession.

2. Tony Hargreaves, Tony Hargreaves and Associates

Tony Hargreaves is recognised by Doyle's Guide as Pre-eminent in Criminal Law Defence (2026) and practises as Principal of Tony Hargreaves and Associates. He has more than 30 years of experience in serious criminal defence and is admitted across Victoria and Federal jurisdictions.

The Pre-eminent ranking is the highest tier in the Doyle's methodology and reflects sustained peer recognition for senior indictable defence work. Hargreaves operates as both solicitor advocate and instructor. His practice has remained focused at the senior end of Victorian criminal defence over a long career, with continued recognition reflecting the consistency of that focus.

3. Howard Rapke, Holding Redlich

Howard Rapke is a Partner at Holding Redlich and serves as the firm's National Head of Disputes. He is listed by Doyle's Guide as Leading in administrative law (2023) and was recognised by Best Lawyers for Criminal Defence in 2017. His practice focuses on commercial crime, regulatory matters, and complex fraud.

Rapke practises in Victoria with extension to Federal jurisdiction and brings more than 30 years of experience to serious matters. The combination of a national disputes role and criminal defence work positions him for briefs that straddle regulatory enforcement and criminal prosecution, with a negotiator's approach to resolution where that serves the client.

Selection of counsel in this category depends on matter type, jurisdiction, and stage of proceedings. Early engagement of senior counsel materially affects outcomes, particularly where decisions made at the investigation or charge stage shape the options available later. The practitioners profiled above represent a starting point for informed referral within Victorian criminal defence.