Always Fighting: Criminal Defence Lawyer Bernie “The Attorney” Balmer

Melbourne criminal defence lawyer Bernie Balmer has represented some of Victoria’s most notorious identities like gangland matriarch Judy Moran, Mick Gatto and Mark “Chopper Read”, AFL and NRL players, past and present, and people you’ve probably never heard of, like the woman who stabbed to death the child she gave birth to, on an access visit, with the adoptive parents nearby.

He and his team are also known for representing some of the most vulnerable people, including children, who enter the court system each day.

Bernie is quite literally, a fighter - he was a boxer and has been involved in the sport, in and out of the ring, since 1966. Bernie, a country boy, even has an Australian University Heavyweight title. He boxed, nightclub-bounced and grafted his way through a law degree at Melbourne University. 

On March 27, 1986 Bernie, then a young solicitor, was, fatefully, at the site of the Russell Street bombing just as the bomb detonated. He tended to young police constable Angela Taylor, who was fatally injured by the blast, dying in hospital weeks later. Bernie carried Angela away from the burning wreckage, comforting her until medical help arrived. The sights, sounds and smells that day have stayed with Bernie all these years - a dropped plate in a kitchen or the sound of a car backfiring will take him right back to the trauma.

Bernie and his law firm Balmer and Associates ( his lawyer daughter Anna works in the family business too), are known for their sense of social justice and he’s one of the highest profile, and respected lawyers in Victoria.

He’s the man you’d want to call if you find yourself in need of a lawyer.

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram here. 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here.

Guest: Bernie Balmer

Producer/Editor: Lachie Flannigan

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

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