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A : Level 3, 524 Hay Street, PERTH WA 6000
T : +61 8 9221 9464
Amanda Blackburn
Senior Associate
Amanda Blackburn graduated from the University of Western Australia in 2004 with a double bachelor degree in Arts and Law. Amanda was admitted as a lawyer in February 2005 and over the past 15 years has obtained extensive experience in all areas of criminal law.
Amanda has close relationships with a number of barristers, including senior counsel, both in Perth and interstate. Amanda has particular experience and interest in working with barristers on large, complex cases (for example, homicides and historic sexual offences) to prepare them for trial or appeal. Amanda holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science (Courtroom Advocacy) and also has connections with a variety of nationally and internationally recognised forensic (scientific) experts.
“I am compassionate, frank and organised”
Amanda’s experience includes the following types of cases:
- Homicides including murder and manslaughter;
- Sexual offences against both adults and children, including historic sexual offences;
- Drug related offences;
- Criminal appeals against convictions and sentences;
- “White collar” offences such as fraud and stealing as a servant;
- Other property offences such as stealing, robbery, burglary and money laundering;
- Professional disciplinary matters involving bodies such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) and the Veterinary Surgeons Board;
- Firearms and weapon related offences;
- Sentencing hearings;
- Applications for spent convictions;
- Traffic charges including dangerous driving causing death, drink driving and driving without a license;
- Other traffic matters including applications for extraordinary driver’s licenses and applications to overturn lifetime driving disqualifications;
- Bail applications;
- Coronial inquests;
- Violence restraining order applications and/or breaches; and
- Appeals of the provisions of the Liquor Control Act 1988, including barring notices and prohibition orders.
Amanda has represented clients in the Children’s Court, Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court of Australia.
In 2008 Amanda received the Criminal Lawyers’ Association of Western Australia Hodge Award which is presented to the most promising criminal lawyer of less than five years’ experience.
In 2019 and 2021, Amanda was recognised as a ‘Recommended Leading West Australian Criminal Defence Lawyer’ by Doyle’s Guide.
Professional Memberships and Acknowledgements
- Law Society of Western Australia
- Criminal Lawyers Association of Western Australia of which Amanda served as the Board secretary between 2005 and 2009
- Amanda was a Board member of the Women’s Legal Service WA (formerly the Women’s Law Centre) from 2012 to 2018.
Publications
“Procedure on Indictment” – chapter in Lawyers Practice Manual, 2008 (co-author Registrar Danielle Davies)