Following several years experience in the education and law enforcement sectors, Stephen was admitted to practice in Victoria in 1986. Stephen worked in private and public practice before signing the Bar Roll in 1988.

Stephen has broad experience in criminal practice including extensive experience appearing in summary criminal matters, committals and jury trials as counsel for both the prosecution and defence.

Stephen’s areas of particular expertise include Occupational Health and Safety, Fair Trading and other regulatory prosecutions and contested drink driving matters.

Stephen has been briefed to appear in other State jurisdictions including N.S.W. For example, Stephen was involved in a matter in N.S.W. over several years, in which he challenged the authority of a Government departmental officer to prosecute N.S.W. Crimes Act offences. This argument prompted several legislative changes to be made by the N.S.W. Parliament. Before resolution, this matter was extensively involved in the N.S.W. Supreme Court as well as the N.S.W. Court of Appeal - and it was lodged in the High Court upon this point.