Richard Wilson SC appointed Senior Public Defender for New South Wales

Tuesday 11 February 2025

Respected criminal lawyer Richard Wilson SC has been appointed Senior Public Defender for New South Wales.

Mr Wilson has worked as a public defender for the past 12 years, including as Deputy Senior Public Defender since 2018, and as Acting Senior Public Defender in 2024 and 2019.

Prior to his roles as a public defender, Mr Wilson was a barrister at Seventh Floor Garfield Barwick Chambers, and before that, Deputy Principal Solicitor of the Aboriginal Legal Service.

Mr Wilson graduated with first class honours in both Arts (1990) and Law (1993) from the Australian National University, and practised as a solicitor in the ACT and NSW before being called to the bar in 2004. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2019.

He serves as Co-Chair of the National Criminal Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia and of the Bugmy Bar Book Project.

Mr Wilson will begin his seven-year term as Senior Public Defender on 17 February 2025.

Public defenders are appointed under the Public Defenders Act 1995. They are salaried barristers independent of the government who appear in serious matters for clients who have been granted legal aid.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Richard Wilson SC as Senior Public Defender.

“Mr Wilson is a long-time public defender who has proven himself as Acting Senior Public Defender since July last year.

“Public defenders play a significant role in our justice system, both in the courtroom and through advising the government on criminal justice reform.

“I congratulate Mr Wilson on his appointment.”