Chris Draffen is based in our Melbourne office. Chris provides legal advice and representation in all stages of criminal and quasi-criminal proceedings. He has previous experience in sensitive, high-stakes matters, including complex investigations, matters involving public officials, and appeals.
Chris is valued for his clear communication and strategic approach. He knows that the prospect of criminal charges can be extremely stressful and that his clients’ concerns often go beyond legal considerations. He keeps this front of mind when providing advice and approaches every case with an open mind, regardless of his clients’ circumstances.
Chris has a broad practice and appears in all courts throughout Victoria. He has assisted clients with public inquiries, Royal Commissions, ASIC investigations, judicial review proceedings, and proceeds of crime / confiscation proceedings.
Chris was previously associate to Justice Walker in the Court of Appeal, where he worked on a wide range of sentence and conviction appeals. He has also advised clients at Refugee Legal and Justice Connect in a pro bono capacity.
Overseas, Chris worked on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s 2019 inquiry that resulted in impeachment. More recently, at the New York Attorney General’s Public Integrity Bureau, he worked on investigations of impropriety in public office, including corruption, theft, falsifying business records, endangering the welfare of children, and sexual abuse.
Chris holds Bachelors of Arts and Laws from Monash University with First Class Honours and a Master of Laws from New York University. His research on foreign interference laws has been cited by elected officials and in peer-reviewed journals.