Mark McCarthy

Mark is a leading barrister for advocacy and advice in disciplinary proceedings, regulatory matters, and criminal cases in Queensland and the federal courts. He appears in trials, appeals and summary hearings, while being available to provide investigation-stage advice and to appear at inquests and in commissions of inquiry. Mark is an expert in federal criminal law, Queensland criminal law, and in proceedings under the Mental Health Act 2016 (Qld).

Educated at QUT, Mark was admitted as a barrister in 2000 and spent 10 years in-house at the Commonwealth DPP before joining the private Bar in January 2011.  From 2008 to 2010, Mark was the Senior Assistant Director in charge of the Commonwealth DPP’s Northern Territory operations.  From 2012 to 2023, Mark was a part time/reserve Legal Officer in the Australian Defence Force. From 2015 to 2021, Mark was also a member of the author team for Butler and Holt’s Indictable Offences Queensland.

Mark accepts prosecution and defence briefs and is highly sought after as a formidable and effective advocate at both ends of the bar table. He is based in Brisbane but accepts briefs throughout Queensland in state and federal matters, and around Australia in federal matters.