We are the only firm in these regions that has two Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law, as identified by the NSW Law Society.
At Morrisons, we specialise in criminal and traffic law. With over 63 years of combined experience, we have been consistently recognised and awarded as leading criminal lawyers throughout Regional NSW.
Our team of experienced lawyers excel in handling a wide spectrum of cases – including homicide and related offences, sexual offences, drug offences, assaults and domestic violence offences, thefts and driving offences, property offences and many more.
The expertise of our lawyers also extends to offences falling under federal jurisdiction – such as terrorism, forgery, improper use of emergency call services, and possessing child abuse material.
Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law
Award winning and recognised as leading criminal lawyers throughout regional NSW
60+ years experience
Experienced lawyers who practice exclusively in criminal and traffic law
24/7 Support
Help should be provided at all times, so our team is available 24/7 for advice
Free initial consultation
Our first appointment is without charge, so you can get some expert advice
Trusted by the Community
Our Story
Our rich history is founded in the Illawarra. Morrisons’ founding partner, Graeme Morrison, has been providing the local community with end-to-end legal advice and representation for more than 40 years. Graeme has been an integral part of the region; supporting local people who need a helping hand.
In 2016, Morrisons undertook a new journey. Rebranding from Graeme Morrison Law, the group expanded with the introduction of now Partner, Matthew Ward, who has been with the company since 2012. As part of this growth, Morrisons – Criminal and Traffic Law Specialists, as it is now known, set on a journey to serve more people, provide more support and continue to build on the quality reputation Graeme had worked so very hard to build.
Graeme and Matthew, together with their expert team of solicitors, are working towards achieving a mission. A mission of helping people and families in difficult times. This is in combination with supporting our leaders of tomorrow through mentorship of Law students as well as participating in and sponsoring local community events. Morrisons has been and will continue to be the dependable and expert go-to law firm for criminal law and traffic law.
Morrisons is the only private law firm in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and South Coast regions with two solicitors recognised as Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law by the . By specialising in all aspects of criminal and traffic law, we are confident that we can provide you with the best possible support when you need it the most.
This is our story and it’s only the beginning. We welcome you to come along for the journey.
In 2016, the group expanded with the introduction of now firm partner, Matthew Ward. Graeme and Matthew, together with their expert team of solicitors, work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the highest quality legal support. We believe that the expertise and passion of our team are the cornerstone of our success.
Get to know more about our dedicated team of professionals who are committed to providing top-tier legal support for our clients.
Graeme Morrison
Partner and Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law
Graeme is a Partner at Morrisons with almost 50 years experience. He has been an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law with the NSW Law Society for over 20 years.
Graeme Morrison
Partner and Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law
Matthew Ward
Partner and Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law
Matthew has been practising exclusively in criminal and traffic law since his admission as a solicitor. Since he joined the team at Morrisons, Matthew has appeared in a wide range of criminal and traffic matters – with a focus on serious and complex criminal proceedings.
Matthew Ward
Partner and Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law
Analise Ritchie
Solicitor, criminal and traffic law
Analise completed a Bachelor of Laws and International Studies at the University of Wollongong, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Since her admission as a solicitor, Analise has specialised solely in criminal and traffic law.
Analise Ritchie
Solicitor, criminal and traffic law
Cameron Meaney
Solicitor, criminal and traffic law
Cameron graduated from the University of Wollongong with a double degree of Law and Commerce, majoring in International Economics. Cameron specialises in criminal and traffic law and has done so since his admission as a solicitor.
Cameron Meaney
Solicitor, criminal and traffic law
Zali Kelly
Law Graduate
Zali holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication and Media, specialising in Marketing Communication and Advertising from the University of Wollongong.
Zali Kelly
Law Graduate
Graeme Morrison
Partner and Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law
LLB/BJURIS (UNSW) – Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Jurisprudence
Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law – NSW Law Society
Recommended Regional Criminal Lawyer – Doyles Guide
President – Albion Park Chamber of Commerce
Secretary – Illawarra Folk Club
Graeme was identified as an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law by the NSW Law Society more than 20 years ago. He has extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law in courts throughout NSW.
Graeme is fuelled by the inherent variety and diversity of criminal law, deriving inspiration from adapting to different situations and addressing the unique aspects of each case. In 2020, 2022 and 2023, his expertise earned him recognition in Doyle’s rankings as a Recommended Criminal Lawyer in Regional NSW.
Graeme brings a wealth of experience to his role and clients, having started his career with the Aboriginal Legal Service and later as a solicitor at the Public Solicitors in Wollongong, now known as Legal Aid. With over four decades of practice, he founded ‘Graeme Morrison Law’ in 2010, later rebranded as ‘Morrisons’ in 2016.
Throughout his extensive career, Graeme has handled a diverse range of complex criminal cases – including murder, sexual assault, fraud, theft, housebreaking, domestic violence, drug and firearms offences – and has achieved a remarkable success rate. He thrives on the challenges of criminal law, always striving for the best outcomes for his clients and consequently recording a high success rate in his cases over the years.
Outside of his dedication to the legal field, Graeme gives his time back to the local community. He holds a number of positions within local community organisations, such as the Albion Park Chamber of Commerce and the Illawarra Folk Club.
Matthew Ward
Partner and Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law
LLB/GDLP (UOW) – Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law – NSW Law Society
Leading Regional Criminal Lawyer – Doyles Guide
Previous finalist – Australian Law Awards – 30 under 30 (criminal law)
Regional Lawyer of the Year – Australian Law Awards (2024)
Accredited Specialist Advisory Committee (Criminal Law)
Criminal Law Chair – Wollongong and District Law Society
His outstanding skills were acknowledged in 2017 when he was identified as an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law by the NSW Law Society. At the time, he was one of the youngest successful candidates to obtain specialist accreditation in NSW.
In 2018, he became a partner at Morrisons and was appointed to the Criminal Law Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee with the NSW Law Society. This committee is responsible for setting and marking assessments for solicitors applying to be accredited specialists in criminal law.
In 2019 and 2020, Matthew was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 in the category of Criminal Law. This is an Australia-wide assessment that identifies excellence in the field for people 30 years or younger. Also in 2019, he developed Morrisons’ Moot with the University of Wollongong – a criminal advocacy moot designed to assist and guide a student’s interest in learning about courtroom advocacy.
In 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 he was recognised as a Leading Criminal Lawyer in Regional NSW in the Doyle’s guide and is currently the Criminal Law Chair of the Wollongong and District Law Society. The Daily Telegraph has also recognised Matthew as one of the most influential lawyers in NSW.
In 2024, he was awarded the Regional Lawyer of the Year at the Australian Law Awards. This is a national awards program that identifies top legal professionals and firms across Australia.
Matthew is known for his meticulous preparation, attention to detail, strategic thinking and courtroom advocacy across all types of criminal law proceedings.
He advises and appears for clients in serious and complex criminal proceedings and regularly appears before the Local, District and Supreme Courts throughout NSW. He focuses on serious criminal offences such as murder, manslaughter, large scale drug supply, tax fraud, kidnapping, shootings, sexual offences and many more.
Matthew also appears in select civil cases against the NSW Police for false imprisonment, assault and battery, trespass and malicious prosecution.
Analise Ritchie
Solicitor, criminal and traffic law
LLB/GDLP (UOW) – Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
BIntSt (UOW) – Bachelor of International Studies
Criminal Law Rising Star – Doyles Guide
NSW Law Society
In 2018, Analise was awarded a scholarship under the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan to participate in the University of Wollongong’s Malaysian Internship Program. This involved a four-week internship at Shook Lin and Bok in Kuala Lumpur. As an intern, she gained significant experience in an overseas firm and in varying types of law.
Throughout her time at university, Analise exhibited a strong commitment to her field – actively engaging with the University of Wollongong Law Student’s Society and providing valuable mentorship to first-year law students. Her passion for advocacy shone through in her successful participation in numerous court advocacy competitions.
Since her admission as a solicitor, Analise has exclusively specialised in criminal and traffic law. In this time, she has gained a wide variety of experience – regularly appearing in court for defended hearings, sentences and bail applications.
Analise also appears in more complex matters in the NSW District and Supreme Courts, representing clients in appeals, sentences, trials and bail applications. She works on a range of criminal and traffic matters including assault, domestic violence, fraud, sexual offences, driving and drug-related cases.
Analise is committed to delivering quality legal advice to the local communities of the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and South Coast regions. Her motivation to help people in need or who are travelling through hard times is evident in her case success since she has been a part of the Morrisons team.
Cameron Meaney
Solicitor, criminal and traffic law
LLB/GDLP (UOW) – Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
BCom (UOW) – Bachelor of Commerce (International Economics) with Distinction
NSW Law Society
He earned his double degree in Law and Commerce with a specialisation in International Economics from the University of Wollongong. During his university journey, Cameron’s remarkable efforts in founding the charity, Young Clothes for Homelessness (YCFH), earned him the prestigious Community Engagement Scholarship.
YCFH was designed to channel quality pre-loved clothes from the community into the hands of youth experiencing homelessness. This charity operated by hosting events and collaborating with local businesses and groups to maximise the opportunity to collect quality garments. The clothes were then donated to the Wollongong Homeless Hub.
During 2018, Cameron completed an internship program with Morrisons and gained valuable experience in assisting the solicitors in and out of the courtroom. This unique internship solidified Cameron’s commitment and passion for criminal and traffic law.
Cameron went on to complete his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and was admitted as a solicitor. Cameron exclusively specialises in criminal and traffic law, with a focus of providing high quality advocacy and legal advice for every client.
With a comprehensive skill set, Cameron has made appearances before the NSW Local Court and District Court taking on a wide array of cases – from hearings and bail applications to sentences, trials and appeals. He specialises in criminal and traffic law, with notable experience in handling cases related to sexual offences, assaults, alcohol and drug-related driving incidents as well as proceeds of crime charges.
Zali Kelly
Law Graduate
Zali has worked exclusively in criminal law, beginning her career while studying through her role as a volunteer paralegal at the Aboriginal Legal Service in the criminal law division. This exposure provided her with invaluable insights into the systemic challenges faced by individuals navigating the criminal justice system. This experience deepened her commitment to advocating for those in difficult situations.
During her time at the Aboriginal Legal Service, Zali regularly attended the Children’s, Local and District Court where she gained a wide variety of experience across criminal matters from minor offences to more serious charges. She was involved in all stages of legal proceedings from initial consultations and bail applications through to case preparation and sentence. This comprehensive involvement allowed her to develop a well-rounded understanding of criminal law. As the initial point of contact for many clients in this role, Zali is adept at communicating complex legal proceedings in a clear and precise way. Her ability to explain legal concepts and processes ensures clients feel empowered to make informed decisions about their proceedings and their rights.
Now at Morrisons, Zali remains inspired by the diverse, intricate and complex nature of criminal law. Her experiences have shaped her approach, driving her to aim to offer a strong, supportive voice for those navigating the criminal justice system as well as driving her to offer empathetic support to clients.
Decades of knowledge, skill, passion for the law and supporting local people have made Morrisons what it is today. With over 63 years of combined experience in criminal law and traffic law, our specialist team of criminal and defence lawyers continue to build on our proud heritage by providing expert legal services and quality representation for all our clients.
Our commitment to community is at the heart of everything we do. We’re more than just legal professionals – we’re dedicated partners in building a stronger, thriving local community. At Morrisons, we actively contribute to initiatives that improve our local area and promote positive change.
How do we do this?
University of Wollongong (UOW)
Scholarship Program
Morrisons sponsors and supports the University of Wollongong (UOW) Faculty of Law and its Law Students Society. We are dedicated to nurturing and mentoring the legal advocates of tomorrow.
The Morrisons Work Integrated Learning Scholarship offers an exciting opportunity for a Bachelor of Laws student (whether pursuing a single or combined degree) to acquire invaluable hands-on experience in every facet of criminal and traffic law. The scholarship program entails an approximately 60-day placement, during which the selected recipient will have the opportunity to learn from seasoned criminal advocates. They will also assist in preparing intricate criminal proceedings and gain courtroom advocacy experience by attending court cases.
Morrisons Moot Competition
In 2019, we collaborated closely with the UOW Law Students Society to create the Morrisons Criminal Advocacy Competition. This unique mooting competition aims to cultivate students’ courtroom advocacy skills and offers opportunities for them to win prizes. Morrisons also takes pride in sponsoring various other advocacy competitions at UOW, including the Senior Mooting competition.
We also engage with students through guest lectures, discussions and ongoing interaction with the UOW Faculty of Law and Law Students Society.
Helensburgh Cricket Club
Morrisons is a proud financial supporter of Helensburgh Cricket Club, where our Partner Matthew Ward previously served as Vice President for many years.
Illawarra Folk Festival
Graeme Morrison has been involved in both the Illawarra Folk Club and the running of the annual Illawarra Folk Festival for over a decade.
The Illawarra Folk Festival originated at Jamberoo in 1985 and has grown to be one of the largest festivals in Australia run entirely by a voluntary committee of 40 people from the Illawarra Folk Club. During the festival, the number of volunteers increases to over 350.
This event offers a unique platform to celebrate regional and Australian culture, heritage and ever-evolving traditions in a vibrant and communal atmosphere. The Illawarra Folk Club, as the host of the Illawarra Folk Festival, recognises that local businesses in the Illawarra region can reap several benefits from their involvement – such as boosting regional tourism, providing a focal point for summer holiday events, establishing a prominent community presence, gaining recognition as community supporters, accessing joint marketing prospects and increasing their exposure to a diverse audience.
Wollongong and District Law Society
Morrisons plays an active role in the Wollongong and District Law Society. Matthew Ward serves as the Criminal Law Representative and Cameron Meaney takes on the role of Social Coordinator.
The Wollongong & District Law Society takes a community-focused stance in advocating for important matters affecting our legal practitioners on a local scale. It also places great emphasis on educating emerging lawyers and fostering an environment for mentorship and productive collaborations. Their mission is to drive positive change within the legal community and provide valuable support to those embarking on their legal careers.
Albion Park Chamber of Commerce
Morrisons is an active member of the Albion Park Chamber of Commerce. Graeme Morrison has been involved in the Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years and is the current president.
The Chamber meets on the first Tuesday of the month (except January and November) to discuss initiatives to help support business and community development in the Albion Park area. The Chamber is actively engaged as advocates for the community and, as a consequence, delegates meet with many government and council departments – including the NSW Business Chamber, Shellharbour Tourism and the Department of State Planning – to attract funding, promote tourism and effectively manage the local community.