Victoria’s only reliable 24-hour legal service.
Call us on (03) 9870 1959
Victoria’s only reliable 24-hour legal service.
Call us on (03) 9870 1959
Paul Vale Criminal Law is a leading specialist criminal law firm in Melbourne. With over 40 years of experience, our lawyers are legal experts in all criminal and traffic law matters. When experience and dedication is combined with our specialised knowledge, we are in the best position to attain successful results for our clients.
Our dedicated solicitors are knowledgeable and experienced. Our vast experience enables us to advise you on the best course of action to be taken in your matter. Our commitment to you ensures that your voice is heard.
A significant number of criminal solicitors and barristers currently practising in Victoria received their legal training at Paul Vale Criminla Law.
Paul Vale Criminal Law is a leading specialist criminal law firm in Melbourne. With over 40 years of experience, our lawyers are legal experts in all criminal and traffic law matters. When experience and dedication is combined with our specialised knowledge, we are in the best position to attain successful results for our clients.
Our dedicated solicitors are knowledgeable and experienced. Our vast experience enables us to advise you on the best course of action to be taken in your matter. Our commitment to you ensures that your voice is heard.
A significant number of criminal solicitors and barristers currently practising in Victoria received their legal training at Paul Vale Criminla Law.
Paul Vale Criminal Law is a leading specialist criminal law firm in Melbourne. With over 40 years of experience, our lawyers are legal experts in all criminal and traffic law matters. When experience and dedication is combined with our specialised knowledge, we are in the best position to attain successful results for our clients.
Our dedicated solicitors are knowledgeable and experienced. Our vast experience enables us to advise you on the best course of action to be taken in your matter. Our commitment to you ensures that your voice is heard.
A significant number of criminal solicitors and barristers currently practising in Victoria received their legal training at Paul Vale Criminla Law.
Chen Yang
Principal Solicitor
Chen Yang has been the Principal and a solicitor advocate of Paul Vale Criminal Law since 2012. Apart from appearing daily in Magistrates, County and Supreme Courts, Chen is also one of the only experienced criminal lawyers in Melbourne who speaks fluent Chinese (Mandarin).
Chen specialises in all areas of Criminal and Traffic law matters including: Driving and Licence offences, Family Violence matters, Intervention Order applications, Drug offences (Possession, Trafficking, Cultivation and Importation), Property offences, Sex offences, Murder/Manslaughter. Chen Yang also possesses significant experience in Criminal Appellate matters in the County, Supreme and High Court.
By combining his extensive legal knowledge, court experience and compassion, Chen continues to obtain true justice for his clients in the form of remarkable results.
Chen Yang
Principal Solicitor
Chen Yang has been the Principal and a solicitor advocate of Paul Vale Criminal Law since 2012. Apart from appearing daily in Magistrates, County and Supreme Courts, Chen is also one of the only experienced criminal lawyers in Melbourne who speaks fluent Chinese (Mandarin).
Chen specialises in all areas of Criminal and Traffic law matters including: Driving and Licence offences, Family Violence matters, Intervention Order applications, Drug offences (Possession, Trafficking, Cultivation and Importation), Property offences, Sex offences, Murder/Manslaughter. Chen Yang also possesses significant experience in Criminal Appellate matters in the County, Supreme and High Court.
By combining his extensive legal knowledge, court experience and compassion, Chen continues to obtain true justice for his clients in the form of remarkable results.
Michael Cunningham
Senior Solicitor
Michael Cunningham was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2007 and has worked extensively in all aspects of Criminal Law since then. In 2024 he was granted Accredited Specialisation in Criminal Law by the Law Institute of Victoria, in recognition of his level of knowledge and experience in that field. He continues to appear regularly in the Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts where he uses his advocacy skills to achieve outstanding results for his clients.
Michael has personally appeared and successfully advocated for his clients in a wide variety of hearings, including contested summary criminal charges, indictable criminal charges, contested Intervention Order applications, summary jurisdiction applications, appeals against sentence, contested bail applications, and contested committal hearings.
Michael has also had considerable experience in high profile and complex criminal matters, including murder trials, and applications for leave/special leave to appeal at both the Court of Appeal and High Court levels.
His drive to fearlessly advance his clients’ best interests while remaining open, approachable and compassionate allows Michael to build and maintain strong rapport with his clients and help guide them through the often difficult and stressful legal process.
Nicolas McNamara
Solicitor
Before being admitted to practice law in 2023, Nicolas worked at Paul Vale Criminal Law as a Paralegal and Legal Assistant. Having always held a passion in assisting others achieve justice, Nicolas spent time volunteering at a range of legal agencies most notably Social Security Rights Victoria and The Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in the Northern Territory.
Nicolas has gained considerable experience in both a Criminal Law and Intervention Order context. He will appear in plea hearings, contest mentions, bail applications, most other Magistrates’ Court hearings and will instruct in superior court matters.
Nicolas works tirelessly in advocating for his clients to achieve the best possible outcome. He maintains a compassionate and supportive relationship with his clients by always remaining approachable and understanding throughout the duration of the legal process.
Aristea Vipond
Solicitor
Aristea first joined Paul Vale Criminal Law in 2019 as a paralegal. Whilst completing her studies she worked closely with our solicitors on their most complex cases and supervised the training and development of junior paralegals. Whilst studying, Aristea also spent time volunteering in various roles, including at the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women and at the South-East Monash Legal Service. Aristea also received mentoring from members of the Victorian Bar.
Following the completion of her Bachelor of Law and Arts at Monash University, Aristea was admitted to practice by the Victorian Supreme Court in 2025.
Throughout her time with us, Aristea has gained considerable experience and knowledge in both Criminal Law and Intervention Order proceedings. She appears regularly in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria conducting plea hearings, contest mentions, bail applications and regularly instructs in superior court matters.
Aristea is passionate about equal access to justice, and prides herself on her empathetic approach to advocacy. She is committed to helping her clients navigate complex legal processes in a way that prioritises accessibility and agency. Aristea applies a rigorous approach to all matters, ensuring you receive high quality representation to achieve the best possible outcome.