Founder & Lead Litigator
Warwick (Rick) Korn
Warwick (Rick) Korn
Founder & Lead Litigator
“The Prime Minister has mocked the rule of law and the fundamental presumption of innocence upon which our criminal justice system is premised.”
Warwick (Rick) Korn is the founding principal of Korn Tlais Defence Lawyers. His career has been built on high-stakes criminal litigation, earning him recognition from Doyle’s Guide as a leading criminal defence lawyer in Sydney and, in 2022, winner of the Human Rights, Advocacy and Criminal category of Australasian Lawyer’s Most Influential Lawyers.
Career Overview
The Advocate
Rick Korn has built a formidable career defending individuals and organisations charged with the most serious criminal offences in Australia. Admitted to practise at every level of the Australian court system, including the High Court of Australia, he operates as both a solicitor-advocate — appearing personally in contested hearings and trials — and as an instructing solicitor, briefing leading barristers and Senior Counsel to assemble the strongest possible defence team.
His ability to move seamlessly between these roles gives clients a significant strategic advantage. Whether conducting a complex jury trial, arguing bail in the Supreme Court or presenting submissions on sentence, Rick brings the same exhaustive preparation to every matter.
Specialist Expertise
Practice Focus
Rick’s practice encompasses the full spectrum of serious criminal prosecutions, with particular depth in white-collar crime, fraud and corporate regulatory investigations. He has defended clients facing charges brought by the AFP, ASIC, the Australian Taxation Office and other regulatory bodies, earning a reputation for dismantling complex prosecutions through forensic analysis of the evidence and strategic legal argument.
He is recognised as one of Australia’s leading bail law practitioners, having successfully secured bail in numerous high-profile matters where liberty was fiercely contested. His expertise in this area is sought by practitioners and clients alike.
Rick has also established an outstanding record in the defence of sexual assault allegations, a practice area demanding the highest levels of sensitivity, rigour and forensic skill. He brings to each of these matters a combination of meticulous preparation and powerful advocacy that consistently delivers exceptional outcomes.
Innovation
A Different Approach to Sentencing
For Rick, rehabilitation is strategy, not mitigation — built into the defence from the outset, not raised at the end. Working with psychologists, counsellors and community organisations, he designs programs tailored to the person, not the charge, addressing the causes of offending rather than only its consequences.
Courts respond to genuine, well-evidenced change. A program that shows real insight into how a person came before the court — and how they will stay away from it — carries weight that submissions alone cannot. It is an approach built on substance, not presentation, and judges have consistently recognised it as such.
Community & Profession
Beyond the Courtroom
Rick’s commitment to criminal justice extends well beyond the cases he defends. He is one of the founders and the current Vice President of Defence Lawyers NSW, an organisation established to advance the interests and professional development of criminal defence practitioners across the state. Through this body, he has played a pivotal role in shaping policy and advocating for the rights of both practitioners and the accused.
A founding contributor to community mental health initiatives, Rick has served as a consultant to multiple programs supporting mental health and wellbeing in the community — a cause deeply connected to the human toll often seen in the criminal justice system.
Rick is a sought-after guest lecturer in criminal law and practice, sharing his practical expertise with the next generation of legal professionals. He also provides pro bono legal assistance to members and veterans of the Australian Defence Force, recognising the unique challenges faced by those who have served the nation.
Accolades
Recognition & Affiliations
- Winner — Most Influential Lawyers 2022 (Human Rights, Advocacy & Criminal) — Australasian Lawyer
- Doyle’s Guide — Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers, Sydney
- Vice President, Defence Lawyers NSW
- Admitted to practise in all Australian courts, including the High Court of Australia
- Guest lecturer in criminal law and practice
- Pro bono adviser to Australian Defence Force members and veterans
- Founding contributor to community mental health initiatives
- Law Society of New South Wales
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