Daniel Zajd

Profile

Daniel accepts briefs to advise and appear in all areas of public, disciplinary, administrative, criminal, quasi-criminal and common law. He has a particular interest and expertise in:

• coronial inquests and other commissions of inquiry;
• investigations into workplace misconduct (acting for individuals, unions, companies and regulators); 
• disciplinary proceedings brought against professionals (particularly healthcare practitioners); and
• white collar and corporate crime (including prosecuting and defending OH&S matters). 

Daniel has a broad criminal practice and has appeared in all Victorian jurisdictions (led in the Court of Appeal). He is briefed in proceedings brought under the Crimes (Mental Impairment & Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 and the Serious Offenders Act 2018, for both individuals and government clients. Daniel was selected to participate in the VLA Trial Counsel Development Program for 2024/25.

Daniel also accepts briefs in civil and common law matters, particularly where there is a criminal law overlap. This includes civil penalty and other proceedings arising out of investigations conducted by ASIC, the ATO, the ACCC and other regulatory bodies. He has experience with coercive examinations conducted by the Fair Work Commission and ASIC.

Before coming to the Bar, Daniel was a Senior Legal Advisor (Public Law) in the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Office of the General Counsel. He advised government and Ministers on their response to the Yoorrook Justice (Royal) Commission. Daniel was also a Senior Solicitor at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, where he provided advice concerning claims of public interest immunity, suppression orders and applications under the Open Courts Act 2013.  

Daniel previously worked at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) in the Northern Territory, where he appeared regularly in the Local and Supreme Courts in contested hearings, applications and appeals. He commenced as a graduate with the Office of Public Prosecutions in Sydney, NSW.

Daniel was Senior Associate to the Honourable Justice Taylor in the Supreme Court of Victoria, and read with Catherine Boston SC. His senior mentor is Ben Ihle KC.