John Fennel
Admitted as a Lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW : 2015
Entered on the Register of Practitioners of the High Court: 2016
Called to the Bar: 2022 (NSW)
E john.fennel@3sjh.com.au
T +61 2 8998 8788
M +61 475 596 332
Bio
John accepts briefs in all areas, with a particular focus on criminal and regulatory matters.
Since coming to the bar in 2022, John has defended and prosecuted significant state and federal criminal proceedings. He has appeared both led and unled in the NSW Local, District, Land and Environment, and Supreme Courts, including in trials before juries. He has also appeared in several cases in the Court of Criminal Appeal.
John has significant experience in federal criminal matters, having previously worked as a Senior Federal Prosecutor at the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. He has prosecuted and defended persons charged with both federal and state offences. Matters with which John has particular experience includes (non-exhaustively) drug offending, money laundering, online offending relating to children, fraud, work health and safety, and environmental offences.
John has acted and advised on matters at the intersection of commerce and crime during his time at the bar, including matters involving civil forfeiture of criminal assets, ASIC and ACCC investigations, liquidator examinations, and other civil matters involving potential criminal exposure.
In 2025, John was recognised in Doyles Guide as a Recommended White Collar Criminal Law and Regulatory Investigations Junior Counsel and in 2026 he was recognised in the same area, this time as a Leading Junior Counsel.
In addition to his criminal practice, John acts in common law and personal injury cases. He has been briefed by insurers in personal injury litigation, including in the Personal Injury Commission and District Court.
CV available on request – please contact the clerk.