Principal · Experience
Laura Nightingale
Managing Partner — Criminal, Family & Domestic Violence
Laura Nightingale is the Managing Partner of Trilogy Law Group. With almost 25 years in the criminal justice system — as a NSW detective, police prosecutor and now defence and family lawyer — she brings a rare view of both sides of a case.
Experience.
Twenty-five years inside the criminal justice system — both sides of the bar table.
Laura brings both practical and professional experience, having worked on both sides of the criminal justice system with a long history of investigation and advocacy. She assesses the evidentiary merits of a case against the legislation and case law, and uses her detailed knowledge of police powers and procedure to identify deficiencies and argue them effectively. She also supervises and mentors the firm's practitioners, on the view that excellent solicitors are made by guidance and oversight — so every avenue is pursued for the client.
Profile
Laura has spent almost 25 years in the criminal justice system, having been a NSW police officer, police prosecutor and lawyer across that time. She joined the New South Wales Police Force in 2002 and began her career in Sydney's western suburbs, on the frontline in areas with some of the highest crime rates in Australia.
She trained as a Detective and investigated serious crime — murder, violent sexual offences, armed robberies and large-scale fraud. She then spent 12 years as a police prosecutor while completing her law degree and being admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of NSW, prosecuting numerous matters including high-profile cases. As Appeal Coordinator, she appeared for the NSWPF in both the District and Supreme Courts.
In her final years as a police officer, and having achieved the rank of Detective Senior Sergeant, Laura was the state-wide legal coordinator for domestic and family violence for the NSWPF, developing the Force's policy and procedure on domestic violence.
Laura moved to Queensland in 2018, practising in criminal law, family law, domestic violence and child protection at two private firms and becoming an accredited Duty Lawyer with Legal Aid Queensland. In 2020 she established her own firm as sole Principal Solicitor and Director in the Sunshine Coast hinterland — expanding to three locations across south-east Queensland — while commencing a Master of Applied Law (Family Law).
In October 2025 she established Trilogy Law Group as Managing Partner with Lachlan Evans and Graeme Currie: a new chapter of shared expertise and a high-quality standard of legal representation.
Key areas of knowledge
Criminal Law
- Highly complex matters involving voluminous briefs of evidence or protracted proceedings — high-value fraud, drug trafficking and supply.
- Serious offences including murder, serious sexual offences, robberies and serious assaults.
- Matters involving high-profile clients.
- Bail applications in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts.
- Expertise across both Queensland and NSW jurisdictions.
- Specialist courts: Children's Court, Queensland Drug and Alcohol Court, Domestic and Family Violence diversion, Court Link, Mental Health Court and Murri Court.
- Commonwealth offences, including prosecutions by the Commonwealth DPP.
- Private prosecutions, acting for local councils and other clients.
- Acting for individuals, counsellors, support workers, psychologists and psychiatrists in respect of subpoenaed counselling records in sexual offence proceedings.
- Representation of parties in respect of the confiscation of alleged proceeds of crime.
Traffic
- Representation and advocacy for all traffic offences, including drink driving.
- Work licence applications, special hardship applications and applications to lift a licence disqualification.
- Matters prosecuted by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, for companies and drivers.
Family Law
- Parenting matters, including child custody issues and child support.
- Property and financial settlements, binding financial agreements (pre- and post-nuptial) and spousal maintenance.
- Preparation and support through mediation, including Family Dispute Resolution.
- Divorce — advice, preparation and filing.
- Court advocacy in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Domestic Violence
- Representation of Aggrieved parties and Respondents at every stage in the Magistrates Court, including hearings, without the cost of a barrister.
- Preparation of applications and affidavit evidence for hearing.
- Domestic violence appeals in the District Court.
Peace and Good Behaviour Orders
- Representation and advocacy for applicants and defendants, including preparation of the application and affidavit evidence.
Child Protection
- Representation of Respondents in the Children's Court in applications by the Department of Child Protection Litigation for custody or long-term guardianship orders.
Administrative Reviews
- Gun and weapons licence matters and review of government agency decisions.
- Mental Health Tribunal matters, including reviews of compulsory treatment, detention and other orders.
Notable matters
- 01
BJR v BF [2025] QDC 131 — successful appeal against the making of a domestic violence order; appeared as solicitor advocate for the appellant.
- 02
Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) v Chaouk [2010] NSWSC 1418 — a prosecution Laura initiated in the NSW Local Court that became prominent case law, with the Supreme Court addressing a court's discretion to grant or refuse adjournments where brief-of-evidence requirements are not met.
- 03
Queensland Police Service v KID (a child) [2025] QChCM 3 — successful representation of a child where police body-worn camera footage was held inadmissible because police failed to caution the child, failed to provide a support person and offered an inducement; the charges were withdrawn.
Away from the office
Outside the law, Laura's time goes to her partner, two daughters and stepchildren. She also loves animals, travel, live music, singing and musical theatre.
Laura's practice areas
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice.
The other two
