Dowson Turco Lawyers

16/10/2026

Our crime team had a strong outcome in a recent NSW Local Court matter involving a field Court Attendance Notice alleging that, at about 6:45pm on a day in June 2026 in Burwood, police alleged our client's vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle.

The Court Attendance Notice further alleged that:

- members of the public called emergency services reporting the driver was slumped over and unresponsive

- police observed the driver unconscious, confused/disoriented with slurred speech, and observed vomit on the roadway

- a roadside breath test returned 0.000

- based on the observed indicia, police conducted a search and located a small resealable bag containing a white crystalline substance in a pocket

- police alleged the substance was later confirmed as methylamphetamine (0.45g)

Our client was taken to hospital and a blood test also showed no intoxication. He travelled overseas and did not receive the Court Attendance Notice (he was not charged at the scene). He was convicted in his absence. We successfully applied to annul the conviction, and the Court ultimately made orders resulting in:

- no conviction recorded
- a 12-month Conditional Release Order
- no further punishment
- the charge dismissed under ss 9 and 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1990 (NSW)

If you’re facing criminal charges and are concerned about the impact on your work, travel, or professional registration, early advice can make a real difference.

16/10/2026

Diversity Opens the Door. Inclusion Changes the Profession

This past Tuesday, our partner, Nicholas Stewart, joined the 2026 Diversity in Law Panel at Clayton Utz , alongside leaders from across the legal profession to discuss lived experience, opportunity, advocacy and the future of diversity in law.

Nick shared his perspective on representation as both an opportunity and a responsibility, drawing on his longstanding advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and equality.

The discussion explored the barriers that continue to affect career progression, the importance of meaningful institutional change, and how the next generation of lawyers can help build a more inclusive profession.

Because diversity is about more than who enters the profession. It’s about creating an environment where people from all backgrounds are supported, valued and given the opportunity to succeed.

Thank you to Clayton Utz and the UNSW, UTS and University of Sydney Law Societies for bringing together students and legal professionals for this important conversation.

16/10/2026

A significant outcome in Latham v Greenwich / High Court Refuses Special Leave in Latham v Greenwich

Our partner, Nicholas Stewart, and defamation team at Dowson Turco Lawyers are proud to have acted for Alexander Greenwich in his defamation claim against Mark Latham. Mr Latham appealed Mr Greenwich's win in the Federal Court and the Full Federal Court. He made an application for special leave to appeal in the High Court under Latham v Greenwich.

The proceedings arose from a homophobic tweet published in the lead-up to the 2023 NSW State Election. The Full Federal Court found that the tweet conveyed a defamatory imputation about Mr Greenwich. The High Court's decision brings the proceedings to a close, leaving in place the damages awarded to Mr Greenwich: $100,000 for non-economic loss and a further $40,000 in aggravated damages. Mr Latham has also been ordered to pay Mr Greenwich's costs.

We thank the brilliant defamation barristers briefed in this matter, Sophie Jeliba, led by Dr Matt Collins AM KC.

This outcome highlights the importance of accountability and the legal protections available to people subjected to defamatory public statements online, particularly where the statements cause serious harm.

Dowson Turco Lawyers remains committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ equality, dignity and accountability.

15/10/2026

I’m proud to announce that NSW is set to lead the nation in providing Terramation, as an additional option to burial or cremation once we die.

Terramation is a compassionate, sustainable, affordable and innovative form for death care. It is a process that transforms a deceased person’s body into nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition.

Debate is set for today, and the bill is expected to pass the Legislative Assembly.

This will be my 8th bill to pass the Legislative Assembly, a record for any MP who is not a Minister.

14/10/2026

So I wanted to own the fact that while I’m currently doing okay with the cancer situation (I have no doubt that the roller coaster of emotions will continue) this is a photo from an ‘event’ that happened 9 days after my diagnosis. It looks a little like my doctor said, ‘You have cancer’, and then I decided to punch myself in the face. Not an unreasonable response but it’s actually the result of combining booze and sleeping pills and then doing the tango with a small table. When my surgeon removed the bandage she said comfortingly, ‘It just blends in with the other lines on your forehead.’ Thank god my modelling career isn’t over. Obviously the takeaway is don’t combine w**e and pills…when you have cancer.

12/10/2026

Texts between double-murder accused Beau Lamarre-Condon and a colleague show how he perceived his on-again-off-again relationship with alleged victim Jesse Baird.

10/10/2026

So this was me last Friday when I heard that it was now a mastectomy. And yes, it’s a bit of a peekaboo shot so that’s my breast waving goodbye guys! My jugs and I have been pretty overwhelmed by the response so THANK YOU and again, GET THEM CHECKED LADIES. You can’t feel my cancer so without a mammogram I would have been screwed!

08/10/2026

Congratulations beautiful and super smart Katie Green! ❤️❤️❤️

Congratulations to our CEO Katie Green for winning this year’s Community Hero award at the ACON Honour Awards.

The Inner City Legal Centre is so grateful for your leadership and ongoing commitment to uplifting the voices of our LGBTQIA+ communities.

08/10/2026

LGBTQIA+ veterans & currently serving Australian Defence Force personnel can now apply to have historical homosexuality convictions extinguished from their service records. Read more: https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/defence-force-personnel-can-now-apply-to-have-historical-homosexual-convictions-expunged/244377

08/10/2026

💜 Today is International Le***an Day 💜

Today we celebrate le****ns and the strength, visibility and contribution of le***an women in our communities.

We also acknowledge the vision of Mary Turco and Stacey Dowson, who founded Dowson Turco Lawyers in 2008 — creating not just a law firm, but a workplace where LGBTQ people could be seen, heard and be their authentic selves.

That legacy continues today.

A safe, inclusive workplace isn’t just about policies. It’s about creating a culture where people don’t have to hide who they are.

Happy International Le***an Day. 🏳️‍🌈💜