Find the lawyer that best suits your needs.
Our team
FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
Lauren MacDougall
Lauren’s practice is focussed on serious and complex criminal matters. Prior to founding MacDougall & Hydes, Lauren was, for 7 years, the Principal of Korn MacDougall Legal, a firm that was listed as a leading criminal law firm in 2019 and 2020 by the Doyle’s Guide.
Lauren has and continues to appear in matters that attract significant public interest, including homicide trials, sexual assault trials and an array of serious indictable offences. She also is experienced in complex white-collar crime matters. These often protracted, exhaustive cases require the deployment of diligent expertise but also demand the highest levels of communication, empathy and understanding.
In 2023, 2022, 2021 & 2020 Lauren was listed as one of the state’s leading criminal lawyers by the Doyle’s Guide. She was also selected as a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Criminal Law Partner of the Year.
Lauren is a member of the Australian Chapter of the Women's White Collar Defence Association. She is also on the Legal Aid NSW Serious Crime Panel.
FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL
Carly Hydes
Carly has a diverse and varied practice that encompasses criminal and family law as well as civil litigation. She began her career in the legal profession in the United Kingdom where she worked in civil dispute resolution which included appearing in litigated matters.
Since migrating to Australia in 2009, Carly has continued to practice in a broad range of areas, including working for the NSW Government acting in child protection matters and coronial inquiries.
Carly is recognised as a highly effective and determined advocate and regularly appears for individuals charged with matters ranging from traffic and driving matters, to more serious criminal law matters that finalise in the District & Supreme Court. Carly’s ability was recognised by her colleagues in 2023, 2022 and 2021, when she was listed as a leading criminal lawyer. In 2020 and 2019, she was listed as one of the state’s rising stars in criminal defence law.
Prior to founding MacDougall & Hydes, Carly was an Associate at Korn MacDougall Legal, a firm that was listed as a leading criminal law firm in 2019 and 2020 by the Doyle’s Guide.
ASSOCIATE
Phoebe MacDougall
Phoebe has worked exclusively in the criminal law field for the past 6 years, beginning her legal career in a highly successful private boutique Sydney firm and more recently, she was employed at the NSW Public Defenders Office, working with the States leading Barristers on a range of high-profile serious criminal matters. Through this role she was able to assist in the representation of vulnerable clients often from low socio-economic and disadvantaged backgrounds providing her an acute awareness of how to help her clients navigate what is often the most challenging time in their lives.
Phoebe has a varied practice, having instructed Counsel in the Land and Environment Court, District and Supreme Courts. Much of Phoebe’s practice is devoted to representing clients charged with matters in the Local Court ranging from traffic matters and drug possessions to assaults. In 2022, she was listed as one of the state’s rising stars in criminal defence law.
She has also been recognised for her contribution to the legal community when she received an Australian Law Award at the 2020 Lawyers Weekly Law Awards and was a Finalist in the 2019 Women in Law Awards.
SOLICITOR
Simon Populin
Simon is a specialist criminal defence lawyer. He began practice with the Aboriginal Legal Service in western NSW where he appeared regularly in a wide variety of criminal matters. He has appeared for hundreds of clients in bail applications, hearings, and on sentence. He has extensive experience appearing in local and district courts as an advocate. He also has experience instructing counsel in complex criminal matters at sentence and in trial.
Prior to his admission, Simon was a tipstaff in the common law division of the Supreme Court of NSW. In this role he assisted Supreme Court Judges with the preparation of judgments and the administration of chambers. While studying Simon worked as a research assistant at Forbes Chambers where he assisted senior counsel in the conduct of high-profile and complex criminal trials. Simon graduated from Macquarie University in 2018 with first class honours and the Law Society of NSW Prize for Sustained Academic Proficiency and Meritorious Contribution to the Affairs of the Macquarie Law School.
SOLICITOR
Nicola Dabboussy
Nicola has a passion for criminal defence work and is passionate about being an advocate for vulnerable members of the community. Prior to becoming a Solicitor, she spent time volunteering with the Aboriginal Legal Service, where she engaged with clients facing significant access to justice issues including severe mental and physical health issues, drug and alcohol addiction and trauma related to sexual or domestic violence. Nicola’s time with the ALS strengthened her advocacy skills through working alongside passionate practitioners and Aboriginal community leaders.
Nicola also volunteered at The Public Defenders where she assisted Counsel with high-profile serious criminal trials and regularly attended court. This included trials involving murder, terrorism, and sexual assault. In addition, Nicola has experience as a legal researcher at Forbes Chambers - a leading specialist criminal chambers .