When a lawyer walks into a Federal Court hearing alone, without a barrister or a junior, it’s not usually a sign of confidence. Yet that’s exactly what happened when Sydney solicitor Zali Burrows appeared for Bruce Lehrmann in August 2025. Her performance in the appeal would spark a public conversation about the gap between legal admission and appellate competence in Australia.
Years of legal experience: 15+ ·
Primary practice area: criminal law ·
Notable client: Bruce Lehrmann ·
Law firm name: Zali Burrows at Law
Quick snapshot
- Zali Burrows is a Sydney-based solicitor ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)
- She represented Bruce Lehrmann in his defamation appeal Capital Brief (news analysis)
- Appeal was heard in August 2025 Capital Brief
- Her firm is named Zali Burrows at Law ABC News
- Exact age of Zali Burrows
- Marital status and partner details
- Weight loss claims
- Whether she has a Wikipedia page
- August 2025: Burrows appears alone in Full Federal Court ABC News
- 21 August 2025: Appeal ends abruptly, day early Capital Brief
- Full Federal Court delivers judgment at a later date ABC News
- Potential costs hearing for $2 million order 7am Podcast (Australian current affairs podcast)
Six key facts about Zali Burrows, each drawn from the available public record:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Zali Burrows |
| Profession | Solicitor |
| Law firm | Zali Burrows at Law |
| Location | Greater Sydney Area, Australia |
| Education | University of Sydney |
| Notable client | Bruce Lehrmann |
Who is Zali Burrows, Bruce Lehrmann’s lawyer?
Education and early career
- Zali Burrows is a Sydney-based solicitor with primary experience in criminal law Lawyers Weekly (legal industry publication).
- She graduated from the University of Sydney and was admitted to practice, but has no specialized appellate qualification.
- Her LinkedIn profile lists over 500 connections, though she has no Wikipedia page.
The implication: Burrows’ background is in trial criminal law, not the nuanced world of Federal Court appeals — a gap that would become central to the Lehrmann hearing.
Zali Burrows at Law practice areas
- Her firm, Zali Burrows at Law, focuses on criminal law, traffic offences, and family law matters ABC News.
- She was the only legal representative for Lehrmann because he could not afford his preferred barrister ABC News (live coverage).
A solo practitioner with no appellate specialist training was tasked with overturning a 2024 Federal Court judgment that found, on the balance of probabilities, that Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins ABC News. The mismatch between case complexity and available resources was stark.
The pattern: Burrows’ ordinary criminal practice left her unprepared for the procedural demands of a federal appeal.
How old is Zali Burrows?
Public records on birth year
Zali Burrows’ exact age is not publicly confirmed. Based on her career timeline — she graduated from the University of Sydney and has been practicing for over 15 years — she is estimated to be in her 40s. No birth date appears on her LinkedIn profile or any official directory.
The pattern: personal details about Burrows remain scarce, which fuels public curiosity about her age, partner, and weight loss — all trending search terms.
What happened during Bruce Lehrmann’s appeal?
Key detail the lawyer forgot
- The appeal hearing in the Full Federal Court ended on 21 August 2025, a day early, after the bench expressed frustration with Burrows’ presentation Capital Brief.
- Burrows struggled with appellate procedure: she requested two adjournments (including an overnight break) which were refused; the court allowed only the lunch break for her to prepare submissions Lawyers Weekly.
- The full court noted that one of the challenges she raised had not been included in the notice of appeal or written submissions Lawyers Weekly.
“She appeared to forget a key detail during the hearing.”
— ABC News report ABC News
Outcome of the appeal
The appeal challenged Justice Michael Lee’s finding that Lehrmann raped Higgins on the civil standard of proof. Burrows argued that Justice Lee had gone on a “fact-finding mission” beyond what was pleaded Lawyers Weekly. The court reserved judgment.
“best was not up to running an appeal”
— Crispin Hull, legal commentator ABC News
For Lehrmann, the consequence is a real risk of a $2 million costs order being enforced 7am Podcast (Australian current affairs podcast).
The implication: Burrows’ performance highlighted a systemic gap in how the legal profession prepares solicitors for appellate work.
Who is the most expensive lawyer in Australia?
Top-earning barristers and solicitors
No single authority ranks the most expensive lawyers in Australia. High-profile names in commercial and defamation law command the highest fees — often $10,000–$20,000 per day for a silk. Zali Burrows is not among them; her firm is a solo practice, not a Big 6 firm.
The catch: expensive doesn’t always mean better. The Lehrmann case showed that even a well-funded client can end up with an under-resourced legal team.
Who are the big 6 law firms in Australia?
List of leading national firms
- Allens
- Ashurst
- Clayton Utz
- Herbert Smith Freehills
- King & Wood Mallesons
- MinterEllison
These six firms dominate corporate legal work in Australia. Zali Burrows at Law, by contrast, is a boutique criminal practice — a world away from the top-tier partnerships.
What were five takeaways from Bruce Lehrmann’s failed defamation case?
Legal lessons
- Appellate work demands specialist skill; a solo criminal solicitor is rarely equipped for a Federal Court appeal Lawyers Weekly.
- Costs can spiral – Lehrmann may face a $2 million bill 7am Podcast.
Public interest aspects
- The case sparked a national conversation about the gap between admission and appellate competence ABC News.
- Zali Burrows became a household name, but for the wrong reasons.
- The hearing exposed a mismatch between case complexity and legal resources Lawyers Weekly.
Timeline: Bruce Lehrmann case
- 2022: Bruce Lehrmann charged with sexual assault; trial begins ABC News
- 2023: Lehrmann sues media for defamation after trial abandoned ABC News
- 2024: Defamation trial held; Lehrmann loses ABC News
- August 2025: Lehrmann’s appeal heard in Full Federal Court; represented by Zali Burrows Capital Brief
- 22 August 2025: ABC News publishes article noting Burrows forgot key detail ABC News
The consequence: Lehrmann’s legal strategy carried a hidden risk that became apparent only when the hearing collapsed.
Related reading: John Setka Charges: What Happened to the Former CFMEU Boss · Bryan Kohberger Case: Evidence, Diagnosis, and Guilty Plea
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Frequently asked questions
What did Zali Burrows forget during the appeal?
She reportedly forgot a key detail about the case, leading to frustration from the Full Federal Court bench ABC News.
Is Zali Burrows married?
Her marital status is not publicly known. Search interest in “Zali Burrows husband” reflects public curiosity rather than confirmed information.
What law firm does Zali Burrows work for?
She is the founder and sole practitioner at Zali Burrows at Law, based in the Greater Sydney Area.
Does Zali Burrows have a Wikipedia page?
No, she does not currently have a Wikipedia page.
What is Zali Burrows’ legal experience?
She has over 15 years of experience, primarily in criminal law, traffic offences, and family law. She graduated from the University of Sydney.
For the Australian legal profession, the implication is clear: the gap between admission and appellate competence must be addressed, or more clients like Lehrmann will find themselves represented by solicitors who are simply not equipped for the fight. For Zali Burrows, the case has made her a household name — but for all the wrong reasons.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.