Dr Mark Gumbleton has been a legal practitioner for two decades, practicing for the last 17 years exclusively as a criminal defence barrister. He is predominantly a trial barrister that is privately briefed from the filing of charges, through to committal, and ultimately at trial before a jury.
Criminal Expertise
Mark's expertise is in organised and white-collar crime. He holds a doctorate in criminal law in the area of complicity. In recognition of his expertise, Mark has been listed in Doyle's Guide to the Leading Criminal Law Barristers since its inception and for 9 years running, i.e., 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. He was named one of 'Melbourne's high-flying lawyers' and 'powerful figures on Victoria's legal scene' by the Herald Sun in 2021.
Boutique Chambers
Mark is a proud founding member of Niagara Lane Chambers, a private set of chambers establised in 2020 that is home to a select number of barristers devoted to defending accused persons and upholding human rights. The Chambers are located a short stroll from the Courts down a quiet cobblestoned laneway, in the heritage listed Mark's Warehouses (a former furniture warehouse built in 1887).
Practice Areas
Organised Crime - Mark is experienced in organised crime involving allegations of violence, drugs, firearms/weapons, blackmail, extortion and corruption. He is an expert in offences involving the importation, trafficking, manufacture, and cultivation of illicit drugs (and related offences such as money laundering ). He is conversant in the use of coercive powers, controlled operations, telephone intercepts, surveillance devices, and search warrants.
White Collar Crime - Mark appears in proceedings against individuals and companies concerning investigations into alleged corporate misconduct, undertaken by Victoria Police, WorkSafe, the AFP, ATO, ASIC and ACCC. This includes allegations involving bribery, fraud, deception, theft, breach of directors’ duties, market manipulation, insider trading, and safety breaches.
Pro Bono - Whilst Mark does not accept publicly funded briefs, he carefully selects compelling pro bono cases . He is interested in areas where the criminal law intersects with administrative and constitutional law, or where there has been an abuse of human rights. He is particularly passionate about defending First Nations people and attracted to issues concerning the environment, mental health, and sport.
Background
Previous Employment - Mark was employed as an articled clerk and solicitor in commercial litigation at Clayton Utz, a leading national law firm (2002-2004). He subsequently worked as a solicitor advocate at the North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service, now the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (2005).
Academic Studies - Mark completed his doctorate at Monash University in the area of complicity, as it applies to homicide (2006-2015). He received the Butterworths awards in Constitutional Law and Criminal Law (undergraduate) and the Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick award for Internet Law (postgraduate).
Tidbits
Mark was mentored by the wonderfully gifted and late Lachlan Carter, under whose tutorship he honed his dogged determination. He has long admired and been thankfully guided by three oracles of the Victorian Bar, Robert Richter KC, Philip Dunn KC, and (the now retired) Con Heliotis QC, during his many years at Crockett Chambers and since.
Affectionately known as "Gumby" outside of Court, Mark is married and father to three energetic children. He lives an active life, enjoying swimming, basketball, yoga, and meditation. He enjoys camping/hiking and surfing - the latter of which he is remarkably, but joyously, unproficient (despite this report in The Age). He is a member of the Melbourne City Football Club, Hawthorn Football Club, and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Contact
Mark can be reached by contacting the clerking team at Foley's List. The List manages his diary and can respond to all queries concerning availability, fees, and pro bono services.
