Sue Chrysanthou SC is one of the highest-profile barristers in Australia, an expert on defamation and other media law. She has been practicing for 20 years, handling clients in politics and entertainment as well sports. It’s the inspiring journey of a woman trailblazer, with record-breaking legal wins and driven advocacy for her clients through an atypical yet cutting-edge breakaway from traditional law.
Table of Contents
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Sue Chrysanthou |
| Date of Birth | 1980 |
| Age | 44 years (as of 2024) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Ethnicity | Cypriot-Australian |
| Parents | Harry and Sotiroulla Chrysanthou |
| Educational Background | Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Communication (Media Arts & Production), University of Technology Sydney (UTS); Master of Laws, University of New South Wales (UNSW) |
| Year Called to the Bar | 2004 |
| Appointed Senior Counsel | 2020 |
| Areas of Expertise | Defamation Law, Intellectual Property, Media Law, Contracts, Trade Practices |
| Partner | Smark (partner and mentor) |
| Children | Four children (aged 6, 8, 10, and 12) |
| Notable Cases | Rush v Nationwide News, Hanson-Young v Leyonhjelm, Stead v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd |
| Work Style | Known for conducting meetings at home with family present |
| Languages | English, Greek |
| Cultural Background | Greek-Cypriot heritage, celebrates Greek Orthodox traditions |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $1 million |
Early Life and Education
A child of Cypriot Immigrant parents, Sue (neé Harry and Sotiroulla Chrysanthou) was born in 1980 — the backbone to this recipe is as tough as old boots. She moved to Australia as a refugee with her parents, Cypriots that left the war torn island after its Turkish invasion in 1974. Born of tough immigrant stock, these experiences forged Sue into a woman who inherently knew the value and achievement that hard work brings.
Sue completed her first degree in Communication (Media Arts & Production) at the University of Technology Sydney and Law with First Class Honours. She then moved on to complete a Master of Laws at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), shaping her knowledge base before forging it into one unforgettable legal career.
Career and Early Life
Chrysanthou, who was only 24 when called to the bar in 2004, soon made her name specialising in defamation law. Her sharp intellect, rapid thought processes and prodigious memory allowed her to shine in complex legal cases — and quickly attract a reputation as one of Australia’s premier barristers for the job. She was appointed as Senior Counsel (SC) in 2020 and rightly so for all her contribution.
Over the years, Chrysanthou has represented numerous notable clients, cementing her status as a sought-after legal expert. Among her most high-profile cases are:
- Rush v Nationwide News: She successfully represented actor Geoffrey Rush in a defamation case against the publisher of The Daily Telegraph, following allegations of inappropriate behavior.
- Hanson-Young v Leyonhjelm: Chrysanthou acted for Senator Sarah Hanson-Young in a prominent defamation case against former Senator David Leyonhjelm.
- Stead v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd: Another landmark defamation case that showcased her legal prowess.
Her expertise extends beyond defamation to intellectual property, media, and trade practices, making her a versatile advocate in Australian law.
Diligence and One of a kind Approach
Chrysanthou is known for her unorthodox work methods, often mixing employment with personal life. This is supplemented by a system of weekly client meetings, which she conducts at her home surrounded by family and pets — marking something of a departure from the traditional mode barristers are expected to work within. But don’t let the personal touch fool you: Julie is a zealous advocate with an impressive recollection of minutia from detailed legal documents both to impress her peers, and because she truly cares about protecting clients.
Her work-life balance is her pride and joy, it obviously means something to her. Sue, a mother of four known for successfully balancing the demands of her legal career with her devotion to being an involved parent. Amazingly, she does this without a nanny — instead relying on help from her family (her mother is spotted in much of the video).
Family & Personal Life
Your family life is pivotal to who you are, Sue. The long-term relationship with her partner Smark is a ‘mentoring tool’ where she’s gained another skill while being educated in the traditional way‘ to navigate through pressure as a high-achieving career woman. With four children aged six to twelve, her ability to manage the demands of both her household and profession has made Sue somewhat of a local hero in and out witht he legal sphere.
As much as she still grapples with the residual effects of her family’s immigrant background, it continues to be a major factor in informing Janeya’s values. Chrysanthou has a strong sense of her cultural identity from having grown up in house where the spoken language was Greek and there were many customs associated with Greek Orthodox religion, even though she is not particularly religious. That cultural foundation has certainly shaped her work ethic and resilience, two of the things that have most defined Whitcomb Silberman’s career.
Challenges and Controversy
Sue Chrysanthou, despite all of her accomplishments in the legal world has been both scrutinandemost by peers. In one particularly embarrassing case, she was pulled up by the New South Wales Bar Council for professional misconduct. So the rebuke came after she acted for Christian Porter in his defamation case against ABC that ignited a legal ethics conversation. At the same time, it is this humorous little anecdote that reveals her commitment to not shy away from grand and troublesome issues (a trait she was well recognized for) 4.
Legacy and Impact
Sue Chrysanthou SC An emphasis on the craft of advocacy and client preparation → Among the high-profile figures she has represented, Laine Anderson played a key role in how defamation law plays out across Australia and took on cases that grabbed national headlines. In addition to all of Lindsey’s legal accomplishments, she is also a role model for women in law by demanding nothing less than gender equality within the profession and showing you can have it all — an illustrious career AND enriching home life.
Sue is part of that journey – a trailblazer who has always inspired— and the violence she faced against her continues to inspire — but few have displayed such determination, intelligence or kindness as Sue. Her success to face down the establishment in legal practice as well balance her personal life cements her position as an exceptional and empowering figure of law.
Conclusion
Sue Chrysanthou SC is more than just a high-calibre barrister; she is also an accomplished individual whose career accomplishments exceed the court room. The fact that she is an expert in phoning up people for saying things about her, also by blending work/personal life into conversations makes the figure very appealing Australian law wise. Her trailblazing has already opened doors for a fresh cohort of barristers – especially women with ambitions that push against convention and conventional wisdom about success in the law.
Social Accounts
FAQs-
Who is Sue Chrysanthou?
Sue Chrysanthou SC is a prominent Australian barrister specializing in defamation and intellectual property law. She was called to the bar in 2004 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2020. Known for her work in high-profile cases, including Rush v Nationwide News and Hanson-Young v Leyonhjelm, she has established herself as one of Australia’s leading legal advocates. Chrysanthou has a background in media and law, holding degrees from the University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales.
Who are the parents of Sue Chrysanthou?
Sue Chrysanthou’s parents are Harry and Sotiroulla Chrysanthou. They were born and raised in Cyprus and immigrated to Australia after fleeing the Turkish invasion in 1974.
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