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Matthew Ward, a Partner at Morrisons – Criminal and Traffic Law Specialists, has been listed as a finalist for the Criminal Partner of the Year in the Australian Law Awards.
What drew you to practising criminal law in Regional NSW?
I grew up in a small town called Stanwell Park, which led me to studying law at the University of Wollongong, where I completed my Bachelor of Laws. I was fortunate to start working with Graeme Morrison, the founder of Morrisons – Criminal and Traffic Law Specialists and have never looked back. I have been working with Graeme for about 15 years and wouldn't change a thing. His passion for criminal law and courtroom advocacy was infectious, and I have never practised in any other area.
Practising across Wollongong, Campbelltown and regional NSW has been incredibly rewarding. I became a Partner at Morrisons Law in 2018 and have been part of the firm's growth into new regions since.
You’re an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, what does that involve and why does it matter to the people you represent?
The Specialist Accreditation scheme is run by the Law Society of New South Wales. To become an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, you are required to pass a number of rigorous exams across a range of legal skills. I completed my accreditation in 2017.
For clients, it provides an independent verification that their lawyer has been formally recognised as an expert by a governing body. When someone is facing serious criminal charges, whether that's assault, drug offences, fraud or a major traffic matter, trust is critical. Accreditation gives clients confidence that they are represented by a specialist who has been tested and certified, not just someone who occasionally handles criminal cases.
As a partner at Morrisons, tell us what the firm is all about.
Morrisons – Criminal and Traffic Law Specialists are dedicated solely to criminal and traffic law. We don't practise in any other area and that focus is deliberate.
We represent clients facing charges across the Wollongong, Illawarra, Campbelltown, South Coast and Southern Highlands regions of NSW. We also travel throughout regional NSW and appear in the Local, District and Supreme Courts. The firm has three Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law and over 75 years of combined experience across many thousands of cases.
We are all about expertise, experience and specialisation, to give our clients the very best representation.
What is next for the firm and how are you innovating for the future?
Morrisons has gone through an exciting period of growth. We recently opened our Campbelltown office to provide dedicated criminal and traffic law representation to the Macarthur region. That office has been a long time coming, and I am proud to see the team representing Morrisons in that community.
On the technology side, we are continually reviewing how we operate, from case management systems to client communication, to ensure we deliver a better service. We are exploring how AI tools can support research and administrative processes so our lawyers can spend more time on advocacy and client strategy.
You exclusively represent people charged with serious criminal and traffic offences, what is your approach and how is it different to a general law firm?
Practising solely in criminal and traffic law builds a depth of expertise that is difficult to replicate. It also means we stay across every legislative change, new case and procedural update as they happen.
That focus shapes everything we do at Morrisons: every strategy, court appearance and piece of advice. My approach is built on thorough preparation, attention to detail, courtroom advocacy and clear communication. I have always believed clients should fully understand every aspect of their case – the process, the options and the likely outcomes. The more realistically informed a client is, the better the result for everyone.
What's the toughest part of running a criminal defence practice across Wollongong, the South Coast, Southern Highlands and now Campbelltown? How do you fit it all in?
Time. There are only so many hours in a day, but I am fortunate to have an excellent team at Morrisons Criminal and Traffic Law Specialists who consistently step up. None of this growth would be possible without the culture and standards we have built over the years.
As the firm has expanded, the balance between representing clients in court and working on the business is a constant challenge, but it is a good problem to have.
You have been an advocate for a Drug Court for Wollongong and the Illawarra, any developments?
The push for a dedicated Drug Court for the Illawarra and South Coast continues. Earlier this year, we saw some progress with the Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre (CDTCC) program becoming available to people Wollongong. This is for people with cases in both the Local and District Courts. The CDTCC program is overseen by the Drug Court and can help many people who struggle with addiction.
A fully funded Drug Court for this region would provide a structured pathway for rehabilitation rather than just punishment, which benefits the individual, their family and the broader community. I believe we will get there. It is a matter of continuing to advocate for the funding
and resources from government so the program can serve the people who need it most, many of which are in the Illawarra and South Coast.
