Matthew Ward » Morrisons
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Wollongong 02 4227 3505

Matthew Ward

Partner and Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law

Matthew Ward is a Partner at Morrisons and an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. He has been continually recognised as a leading criminal lawyer in both regional NSW and throughout the country. He is highly sought after across Australia to provide legal advice and representation. In 2024, Matthew was awarded the Regional Lawyer of the Year in the Australian Law Awards. In 2026, Matthew was awarded Criminal Partner of the Year in the Australian Law Awards , recognising him as one of the best criminal lawyers in the country. 

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 – 2025, 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. In 2026, he was then awarded the Criminal Partner of the Year.

​​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.

"Being able to help a client and their family through a difficult criminal process is what we have always done and what we will always do.”

"Being able to help a client and their family through a difficult criminal process is what we have always done and what we will always do.”

Accreditation and Memberships

Accreditations

  • 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)
  • Criminal Partner of the Year - Australian Law Awards (2026)

Memberships

  • Accredited Specialist Advisory Committee (Criminal Law)
  • Criminal Law Chair – Wollongong and District Law Society
  • NSW Law Society

What our clients say

4.9 Over 206 Reviews

Contact us today

We are the only private law firm in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and South Coast regions with three lawyers recognised as Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law by the NSW Law Society.

Facing Criminal Charges?

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Our Locations

Wollongong

Level 1, 83-85 Market Street
Wollongong NSW 2500

T – (02) 4227 3505
E – admin@morrisonslaw.com.au

Campbelltown

Suite 5.02, 138 Queen Street
Campbelltown NSW 2560

T – (02) 4607 5070
E – admin@morrisonslaw.com.au

Southern Highlands

T – (02) 4868 2595
E – admin@morrisonslaw.com.au