Our team of highly experienced criminal lawyers are here to help you

Amy Soong | Legal Practice Director | Notary Public

Amy graduated with honours in a dual degree of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business from QUT. She also completed a Master of Laws and has undertaken the Bar Practice Course. She has been admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia for over 16 years. 

During this time, her practice has focused on criminal defence in all State and Commonwealth crime. Amy has extensive experience in representing clients for a wide range of offences, having worked for a large criminal law firm for 6 years and then establishing Ashworth Lawyers in 2014.

During this time, Amy has appeared in numerous courts and jurisdictions in Queensland, and also travelled to represent clients in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. 

Amy has represented clients charged in large scale drug operations, transnational organised crime, offences of sexual violence, sophisticated and high-value fraud offences, and aviation offences. Amy also has extensive experience in white-collar crime, including Food Act prosecutions, tax offences, and ASIC investigations. Amy has represented clients in CCC coercive hearings and coronial inquests. 

Amy is focused and is highly organised and has strong attention to detail to cases. Her strength is to explore all options and believes that thorough and meticulous preparation is the key to achieving the best outcomes for clients. She will always look for alternative processes which may end the matter early for clients to save stress, time, and costs. This includes having successfully negotiated or mediated cases so that they are discontinued from the court. 

She is sensitive to the highly stressful and foreign nature of the criminal law process to most clients and so understands that working closely with clients and maintaining regular communication is important.  

She is always looking for new arguments and perspectives for a client’s case. Her extensive court experience means that she can anticipate what the prosecutor will likely argue, and knows what arguments will likely be persuasive to a court.

She is a current member of the Queensland Law Society Wellbeing Working Group and is dedicated to supporting QLS in strengthening the health and wellbeing of fellow practitioners. Click here to connect with Amy on LinkedIn or to learn more about her experience. 

David Svoboda | Senior Consultant

David completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts at University of Queensland, and a Masters of Applied Linguistics from University of South Queensland.

He has practised solely in criminal law for 15 years in private and government legal practice in Queensland and in Western Australia, and is a highly respected and leading criminal lawyer in Queensland.

He has extensive experience appearing as solicitor-advocate in different courts and jurisdictions in all serious crime matters.

He has represented clients in complex and novel criminal cases and high-profile matters. He is committed to providing the highest standard of criminal law representation by considering all legal issues in a matter and exploring all available options, including prospects of negotiations, discontinuance, and alternative dispute resolutions to divert a matter away from the court process.

David understands how stressful the criminal law process can be for clients and as such, works closely with clients to keep them informed and ensures that they are supported during a difficult process.

David has travelled widely and is very familiar with the nuances of cross-cultural communications. He regularly acts for clients from all different backgrounds and is very familiar with working with interpreters if necessary for a client.

He is a past-member of the Criminal Law Committee (Queensland Law Society), and has received the Outstanding Achievement Award - Contribution to National Legal Aid Law Reform Regarding People Smugglers, Legal Aid Queensland Recognition Award 2012.

Jessica Incledon | Senior Associate

Jessica completed a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science at Griffith University and was admitted to the profession in 2015.

Jessica has worked primarily in criminal defence throughout her career and is experienced in a wide range of criminal law matters. Jessica is client focused and committed to obtaining the best outcome for clients. She brings a compassionate approach to assisting clients navigate the legal system.

Jessica is also proud to contribute to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the legal profession through her involvement with the QLS AI in Legal Practice Committee and Advisory Group. Established in 2024, this committee is dedicated to supporting lawyers in understanding the impact of emerging technologies and how these innovations are shaping legal practice. Jessica is committed to helping drive progress in this area, focusing on how AI and other advancements can enhance legal services and improve the delivery of outcomes for clients.

Jessica has a high level of technical expertise in exploring all legal options and arguments to achieve the best outcome for clients.

In her spare time, Jessica gives back to the community through volunteering at community legal centres.

Paris Brotherton | Solicitor

Paris graduated with honours in a dual degree of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Justice, majoring in Criminology and Policing from QUT. Paris has completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from QUT and has been admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.

Paris long aspired to pursue a career in criminal law. This aspiration was fuelled by her intrinsic belief that everyone should have the right to a fair trial and competent legal representation, regardless of their circumstances or background. Paris understands that everyone’s personal circumstances and life experiences are unique. She believes that in working closely with her clients and understanding their particular circumstances so that tailored advice can be given to achieve the best outcome for the client.

Paris has experience working on a wide range of criminal cases, ranging from unlawful assembly to high-level drug operations and offences of sexual violence. She has appeared before central and regional courts throughout Queensland. Paris pays a high attention to detail when reviewing the evidence against her clients to establish possible weak points in the prosecution case. She also aims to investigate and consider relevant nuances and novel points of law when they arise. Paris always strives to achieve the best results for her clients and ensure the fundamental principles of our justice system are upheld.

Amanda Ford | Senior Legal Secretary | JP (Qualified)

Amanda is a strong team player and for the past 30 years Amanda has worked in legal firms and always held a keen interest in every aspect of the Criminal Justice System.  Becoming a JP, studying a Diploma of Justice and even working for a year in a large London law firm, she thrives in any legal environment.

Amanda has always participated in voluntary work to serve the community, including prisons.  She loves people from all walks of life and has two children.  In her spare time she enjoys competing in powerlifting competitions.

Amanda assists with all administrative aspects of our team, and is happy to help you with any queries you have relating to your matter. 

As a Justice of the Peace, she also offers document witnessing services or certifying copies of documents free of charge. Amanda would be more than happy to assist. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment.