Exceptional representation in criminal & traffic law
McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers is a boutique criminal law firm that specialises in defending individuals against prosecutions for criminal, regulatory and traffic offences.
Our range of practice areas
Meet our Directors
Our Directors, Joe McConnell and Chelsea Saldumbide, have each built their legal careers exclusively within the realm of criminal and traffic law.
Testimonials
I have been working with Joe and his team for the past 10 months, and I can’t recommend them highly enough. From the very first phone call—when I wasn’t even sure who I needed to talk to—Joe guided me through every step of the process with clarity and patience.
Throughout our time working together, Joe and his team were consistently professional, reliable, and genuinely caring. They took the time to explain everything in a way I could easily understand, which made a huge difference. Their dedication and hard work truly paid off, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of their help and support.
If you're looking for a team that goes above and beyond, Joe and his team are the ones to call at McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers.
Throughout our time working together, Joe and his team were consistently professional, reliable, and genuinely caring. They took the time to explain everything in a way I could easily understand, which made a huge difference. Their dedication and hard work truly paid off, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of their help and support.
If you're looking for a team that goes above and beyond, Joe and his team are the ones to call at McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers.
Joe and the team worked tirelessly on my behalf, always staying in touch and keeping me informed about changes in my case. I am grateful for their hard work and dedication.
After talking to multiple different lawyers Joe was definitely the one for me! Joe was absolutely incredible! Being that it was my first time in court, I was overly nervous and unsure about the whole process. Joe spoke to me like I was a normal human being, didn’t patronise me and only made me feel more comfortable and okay with the situation at hand. He made it seem simple, easy and guided me while ensuring I understood everything that was going on. Huge thank you to Joe and his office clerk abby for being so understanding, helpful and being so organised!
Joe and his team are incredible. His staff were down to earth and empathetic. Joe's professionalism was a stand out in court. His unbiased, approachable manner made working with him easy and gave me confidence. The out come of court was far better than expected. Thank you so much.
Amazing firm to to deal with very professional and helpful through the whole process
Whilst I’ve never used a lawyer before, I feel extremely lucky to have received the best representation available. Chelsea and the Team were amazing from start to finish. The Communication and being regularly updated without even having to ask was the best I’ve experienced from a business in my life. Chelsea is very informative, whilst I didn’t know much about how court proceedings usually eventuate, she was able to explain clearly to me what I can expect. What I appreciated the most from Chelsea, is that in regards to the potential outcome of court she was a realist, nothing was promised, no false hope. Ultimately the outcome of court was something I didn’t think was actually even possible and the best possible result for me. I can’t thank the whole team enough for the amazing service. I can sincerely recommend Chelsea to anyone needing legal representation. Thanks again!
If I could give 100 stars i would,
Joe is the man, got the results we were after, I can't recommend this brother enough, to anyone reading this....look no further when you need legal representation, this company has your back,
And to Joe, thank you so much brother! You already know what you have done for myself and my family, Thank you again
Joe is the man, got the results we were after, I can't recommend this brother enough, to anyone reading this....look no further when you need legal representation, this company has your back,
And to Joe, thank you so much brother! You already know what you have done for myself and my family, Thank you again
From Start to finish Joe and his team were amazing in the handling of my matter.. He explained the whole process thoroughly and clearly, he was honest and compassionate to myself and my situation and got me a great outcome. I would highly recommed Joe McConnell and his awesome team to help anybody that may require help. Hopefully i will not have to, but i would not hesitate in asking for representation from McConnell and Sulambide Lawyers in the future.
Mr McConnell provided outstanding legal advice which served to obtain the desired outcome I was hoping for. His kind and personable demeanour along with stellar professionalism made a harrowing experience palatable. I highly recommend Mr McConnell and believe he is a forward thinking standout in his field.
Kind regards,
Melanie Tiffin.
Kind regards,
Melanie Tiffin.
Absolutely happy with the help from Joe and Chelsea would recommend them to anyone needing representation.
I cannot express how grateful I am for the exceptional legal representation we received from Chelsea Saldumbide she went above and beyond for the best outcome possible and can not thank her and the firm enough . Chelsea kept us up to date at all times which was amazing. I highly recommend Chelsea and McConnell & Saldumbide.
The legal representation of Mconnell & Saldumbide has earned my full confidence in effectively advising on and resolving my legal affairs.
McConnell & Saldumbide are the first and only firm I recommend to anyone who is seeking advice or assistance relating to criminal matters.
The entire team (Joe, Chelsea, Abby and Monique) provide wonderful client care from the first phone call all the way to the outcome.
We recently had Joe assist our family with multiple matters which resulted in an outcome that was better than we had expected. During the process, Joe was approachable, empathetic and a calming presence for our family during a significantly stressful period in our lives. Joe’s approach to client care is refreshingly transparent. At no point were we unsure of what was happening with the matter or what the intended next step was. To top it off, Joe’s knowledge in criminal defence is second to none and his working relationship with David Jones KC made our family feel at ease, knowing that we had a team that was willing to support us no matter what came our way.
Chelsea was also wonderful to speak to during the very rare times where Joe was unavailable. Chelsea was willing to answer any questions we had and was willing to help us in any way she could if we were not able to speak with Joe. This level of service and care for clients is so special and makes you feel supported at every step of the way.
I would trust both Joe and Chelsea with my family again. If you are looking for legal representation, look no further than McConnell & Saldumbide.
The entire team (Joe, Chelsea, Abby and Monique) provide wonderful client care from the first phone call all the way to the outcome.
We recently had Joe assist our family with multiple matters which resulted in an outcome that was better than we had expected. During the process, Joe was approachable, empathetic and a calming presence for our family during a significantly stressful period in our lives. Joe’s approach to client care is refreshingly transparent. At no point were we unsure of what was happening with the matter or what the intended next step was. To top it off, Joe’s knowledge in criminal defence is second to none and his working relationship with David Jones KC made our family feel at ease, knowing that we had a team that was willing to support us no matter what came our way.
Chelsea was also wonderful to speak to during the very rare times where Joe was unavailable. Chelsea was willing to answer any questions we had and was willing to help us in any way she could if we were not able to speak with Joe. This level of service and care for clients is so special and makes you feel supported at every step of the way.
I would trust both Joe and Chelsea with my family again. If you are looking for legal representation, look no further than McConnell & Saldumbide.
I am very pleased with the work of Joe and his team, I appreciate the time and effort put into helping me with my case. i would recommend and use joe again if i needed
Joe was amazing with representing me, very professional and very helpful. I can’t thank him enough. I would highly recommend M&S Lawyers.
We used Chelsea from McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers, to help us, we definitely would recommend her and we appreciate your hard work so much thanks chelsea
The team at McConnell & Saldumbide have been wonderful. They are caring, very helpful and knowledgeable. They have communicated with us the whole way through the process and have been very supportive. Would highly recommend them.
I found MS Law to be professional, they communicated well and very component in their field. I would happily recommend their services.
Top firm with great communication, always kept me in the loop of what was going on and versatile on all the different aspects of court. Would definitely recommend this firm especially Joe McConnell if needing help in the courtroom.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Joe from McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers partnering with David Jones for their outstanding representation in our case . Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in achieving a successful outcome . Their strategic approach and attention to detail were truly exceptional . Also we would also like to thank them for the reassurance , guidance and support they showed us when we were unsure of issues and stressed. We could not have selected better representation . We recommend this firm %100.
Amazing firm Chels Abby and Calum were amazing to deal with highly recommended won’t go anywhere else
Joe McConnell is the best criminal lawyer money can buy. Joe goes above and beyond and outdoes the competition, by far! He is compassionate and understanding and puts in every effort to ensure you are updated every step of the way. His knowledge and expertise ensured that I got the best outcome I could have hoped for! Don’t see anyone else except for McConnell & Saldumbide!
Chelsea's professionalism and work ethic was outstanding during our recent involvement within the legal system. She showed compassion but was also very clear and direct on what to expect at upcoming hearings and events. Chelsea kept me up to date at all times in which direction our case was going. My Family and I cannot express our gratitude enough for the way she presented our case before the courts and for the way that she treated us as individuals. I highly recommend Chelsea and her team in the event that you may require their services.
I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional legal representation I received from McConnell & Saldumbide criminal lawyers. Their unwavering dedication and profound expertise made all the difference in my case. From the very first consultation, I knew I was in capable hands. Joe took the time to thoroughly understand my situation, explained the legal system in a way I could understand. His professionalism and compassion provided me with immense comfort during a highly stressful period. Thanks to the firms hard work and dedication to my case, I get to be home with my family. Joe and his team fought tirelessly on my behalf, navigating through every legal hurdle with skill and determination. Their knowledge of the law is unparalleled, and their ability to present a compelling case is truly impressive. I could tell they genuinely cared about their clients as they went above and beyond to secure the best possible outcome for me and my family.
Joe is the best criminal defence lawyer on the planet. 5 stars all the way. He is professional, ethical, upfront about the possible outcome and will guide u through the process. He worked on our behalf and not only did he get the best outcome for our case but saved us money while providing a top notch defence. We highly recommend Joe to anyone that is need of this service.
Thank you Joe for all ur hard work.
Thank you Joe for all ur hard work.
From the first call to the last McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers, specifically Abby and Chelsea have been exceptional to be in touch with. No matter the outlook I would always given you a 5 star review due to your conduct and clear communication. Thank you for your time and effort answering every little question I had. You made me feel like a valued client.
Joe and his team are very professional, helpful, and responsive. Their attention to detail, clear communication, and tireless advocacy result in an unparalleled service for anyone requiring legal representation.
We could not give enough praise and wish we could review higher than 5 stars to Joe at McConnell & Sauldumbide Lawyers. We have now been advised by Joe for over a year on different matters. The first time we reached out to Joe we could tell that we would instantly be informed of the best approach and have always been given the truth in what to expect for our outcomes. We have now been fortunate enough to work with Joe and he has then advised that working closely with Barrister David Jones KC would be in our best interests. Each time our percentage of winning our Matter was very low and that was not in a negative light but given in full honesty. The amount of work and time that Joe and David gave to our Matter and the attention to detail is second to none. Today after 8 months of waiting for sentencing and having been told that it was a 20% chance down to a 5% chance of a winning result we were extremely fortunate that we walked away saying that Joe and David Jones KC won the case for us. We will never have enough words to highlight the gratitude or shine a light on the outstanding and well articulated work they gave to our Matter. Thank you Joe and David from the bottom of our hearts.
Chelsea and the team were absolutely wonderful to deal with, extremely efficent and personable. I would highly recommend.
I am truly grateful for everyone at McConnell and Saldumbide criminal lawyers. I have no words other than they were absolutely fantastic and an absolute pleasure to work with. I thank the team with my entire heart
Joe Mconell was Brilliant! He was tenacious, kind and considerate from start to finish. I wouldn’t hire anyone else.
From the very first encounter with Chelsea, Abbey & Monique I found them to be absolutely Amazing. Kept us update on my partners case & progress. Very kind & caring people who listen to understand and give honest & reliable answers to everything. Done a fantastic job in the court room & got the best possible outcome and one we were very happy with. Very pleased with the work Chelsea done. HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHELSEA & HER TEAM. 100%.
I was granted legal aid through this firm and my high rating goes towards Monique the receptionist that goes beyond expectations to help and listen, I feel my and my family's positive experience a credit to her.
Joe was awesome, treated me with dignity, polite, to the point, did his homework, very professional. Therefore got the outcome we hoped for in this situation. Would recommend Joe and his team without hesitation.
Awesome job with the case, Joe spoke fluently and I was confident in his ability to back my case
I had the privilege of working with Joe McConnell for my legal defence, and I couldn't be more impressed. From the start, he showed unparalleled professionalism and empathy.
Mr McConnell not only expertly handled my case but also ensured I understood every step of the process without feeling judged. His clear explanations and nonjudgmental demeanour made a daunting situation manageable.
His legal expertise and strategic thinking led to a favourable outcome, and Mr McConnell navigated the courtroom with confidence and grace.
I highly recommend Joe McConnell at M&S Lawyers for anyone in need of top-notch legal representation. Thanks for everything, Mr McConnell.
Sincerely,
Chloe Kerslake.
Mr McConnell not only expertly handled my case but also ensured I understood every step of the process without feeling judged. His clear explanations and nonjudgmental demeanour made a daunting situation manageable.
His legal expertise and strategic thinking led to a favourable outcome, and Mr McConnell navigated the courtroom with confidence and grace.
I highly recommend Joe McConnell at M&S Lawyers for anyone in need of top-notch legal representation. Thanks for everything, Mr McConnell.
Sincerely,
Chloe Kerslake.
Highly recommended very professional and experienced 👏 thanks Joe for helping me achieve the best possible out come possible very easy to work with thanks again for helping me get through this tough time of my life 5 stars for sure 👍
Chelsea is a superstar, from her meticulous preparation through to her accountability and commitment to getting an outcome; she is the best. The biggest difference that I found was that she was genuine and caring and made us feel comfortable and at ease in a very difficult time. When you are dealing with matters that come with such high emotional toll, it is so great to have someone in your corner that does what they say they are going to do, when they say they are going to do it and even if the result did not go our way, I knew that no stone was left un-turned and that we were the best prepared we could be. From the bottom of my heart I thank Chelsea for everything that she has done for our family.
Joe is an incredible lawyer and a great guy too. The firm has an impeccable record and I couldn't recommend them highly enough.
They're the best.
They're the best.
After having a negative experience with another firm, Joe and his team went above and beyond for me. Joe was extremely professional and achieved such an amazing result. I highly recommend! Thank you so much!
I reached out to Chelsea as the shocked respondent to a DVO. Chelsea supported me throughout the entire process and helped me get an outcome I was extremely happy with. Her compassion and communication was amazing, and I can not and will never be able to put into words how grateful I am to her. Chelsea you literally saved my life. When this DVO was issued to me, I actually couldn't see a way through it, but that changed when I engaged your services. Chelsea, I will be forever grateful.... THANK YOU... I would give Chelsea more than 5* if I could..
We are always comfortable referring to McConnell & Saldumbide, as we know Chelsea, Joe and the team will achieve the best possible outcome for them. Their passion for relentlessly pursuing justice for their clients is commendable.
I would like to leave a 5 star review for Calum Woods
Calum really assisted me in my situation
Chris McIntosh
Calum really assisted me in my situation
Chris McIntosh
I engaged Chelsea Saldumbide from McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers to represent me on a Police Protection Notice. Chelsea has been outstanding so far. She is easy to communicate and talks to you has a person not just another number. She makes sure you understand everything that is happening and is very prompt in getting back to you. Chelsea has eased my stress in this difficult time and I would recommend her to anybody. Thank you so much Chelsea.
I highly recommended Joe McConnell, an absolute professional and expert in his field, there is no doubt in my mind that he sits at number 1 in this city for his services. Heston Marino
Firstly a big hand to Monique at reception! She was part of the reason I chose McConnell and Saldumbide lawyers with her kind and caring nature. Joe took me through one of the most stressful times of my life. He was beyond professional throughout my entire time with him and was always by my side helping me along the way. I was facing some serious charges and with all of Joe's guidance and help we managed to get a result we didn't think was possible in our favour. Joe always kept me up to date with everything I needed to do and if anything changed during our time he would let me know instantly. I would honestly give more stars if I could! Again thank you to Joe and thank you to Monique. Absolute professionalism at the highest order!
I recently had a matter handled by Chelsea from the firm. Safe to say I’m absolutely stoked with the outcome which I received. Chelsea is extremely professional, easy to communicate with, made the whole process an absolute breeze. She also went above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcome for myself. If you have a legal matter that you need handled you cannot look past Chelsea from Mconnell&Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers.
I am using the form for my upcoming trial and got Joe as my representative throughout the whole process he has been nothing but helpful and honest I went into this trial thinking I didn’t have a chance or any idea as to the process involved and joe has helped with it all from helping me work more throughout the trial to making me feel like I have a fighting chance and couldn’t be more thankful for everything that joe and the firm has done to help and work with me through it all
I could not have got a better outcome, These two go above and beyond, they keep you updated the whole way and give great advice, I felt confident and assured that I was getting the best representation I could, I highly reccomend them.
We can’t thank Chelsea from McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers enough for her help. Right from the beginning Chelsea was personable, open in her communication and went above and beyond to help my family out. She kept us informed throughout the whole journey, treated us with respect and got us the best possible outcome. Thank you Chelsea
I can 100% recommend this firm. They're very professional, thorough and supportive. They strive to get the best possible outcome no matter the situation. Thanks so much Chelsea 🙏
Joe McConnell from McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers represented me when I was facing serious charges.
Whilst my case was ongoing everyone I had contact with at the firm were always happy to answer any questions asked and were always polite and friendly.
I firmly believe without Joe fighting for me I would’ve served a very lengthy sentence instead Joe managed to get half of my charges dropped and I walked from court with only a fine.
1st class criminal defence lawyer will only use Joe and his firm if I have any problems in the future.
Whilst my case was ongoing everyone I had contact with at the firm were always happy to answer any questions asked and were always polite and friendly.
I firmly believe without Joe fighting for me I would’ve served a very lengthy sentence instead Joe managed to get half of my charges dropped and I walked from court with only a fine.
1st class criminal defence lawyer will only use Joe and his firm if I have any problems in the future.
I found myself in deep trouble and when I reached out to this firm they were more than happy to go above and beyond to help me. They not only got me through my court appearance but achieved better results than expected with extra amendments added to my benefit. I found them very easygoing but extremely professional. If I ever need representation again this would be my only preference. I am truly grateful for all their help you are amazing.thank you
I highly recommend this firm, Joe and the team have been outstanding in their service, They have been professional all the way and communication was excellent.
Joe was great to work with, he made the whole process simple and stress free. I was very happy with the result and would 100% recommend!
Joe was so personable to deal with. Always kept us informed and had a great positive attitude. His legal secretaries were also really friendly to speak to. Would highly recommend.
Joe is the best highly recommended 👌 very professional and so is his team he needs to be pay more money a great person and he explains everything and so does his staff and they are only a phone call away well done thank you so much I couldn't be happier with my results 😊
The staff at McConnell & Saldumbide are extremely polite and welcoming. The firm's fees were explained upfront with no hidden costs and I found them to be very reasonable. I was represented by Joe McConnell and I found him to be friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Joe was also able to break down all the legal jargon to me in a way that was easy to understand. Not only did he get me the best possible outcome, but an outcome that I didn't think was even possible. I would highly recommend this firm.
Chelsea and David are phenomenal. I was supported throughout my entire case and my best interests were always prioritised. David and Chelsea were incredibly honest, trustworthy, reliable and professional. I could not have asked for more exceptional legal representation. The outcome of my case was the best I could’ve hoped for, so for the millionth time, thank you both.
I can not believe how much support I got from Joe and his firm. Certainly makes difficult times at court much easier knowing that you have the right people in your corner. Joe gave me a second chance at life not only for me but my family. Highly recommended would be an understatement. You want the best then McConnell and Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers are the way to go. Thanks Joe and Team for your hard work.
Extremely happy with my experience. Joe and the team were extremely polite, honest, and willing to help. I Definitely recommend using these guys! ?
I can’t recommend Joe and his team enough. Joe was a wonderful lawyer and I truly can’t thank him enough for all his time, effort, dedication and professionalism that he put into my case. Joe was always more than happy to answer questions and helped me with anything that I needed more clarification on. Joe was great with all of his explanations and always explained things in a way I could understand and always said that if there was any more questions just to ask. Joe did an amazing job and I can’t thank him enough by being my side through everything and always putting me first and helping me and being a wonderful lawyer. He is a very polite man, honest, reliable and easy to get along with and easy to talk to and just made me feel better in the situation I was in. I can’t recommend him enough as a lawyer and thank him for everything he did and making a stressful experience a lot easier by having him on my side. Joe always gave me the best advice he possibly could and always let me decide what I wanted to do there was never any pressure. Joe always explained the courts and how it worked and made sure we got to where we wanted to be and that we got the outcome we were after.McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers are an excellent firm and would recommend if you are in need of a legal team. My family will forever be thanks for Joe and all he did for me. Thanks again Joe and team for everything.
Thankyou to Chelsea and her team for going above and beyond for my partner, you are the reason he is here with me today. Chelsea showed my partner compassion and showed empathy for his cause, was incredibly informative-educating both my partner and I in terms that were easy to understand, and above all else was thorough so that nothing was left up to chance for his matter. In my eyes no level of care would never have been good enough but Chelsea never made us once feel that she wasn’t overturning every stone to make sure we got the best outcome possible, providing the service of what you’d imagine the most well renowned law firm could, yet at a modest price. Would highly recommend Chelsea and her team any day of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers?
McConnell & Saldumbide are a team of experienced criminal lawyers dedicated to providing high quality legal services. We have a proven track record in successfully representing clients in a range of criminal and traffic matters.
What areas of criminal law do McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers specialise in?
McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers specialise in all areas of criminal and traffic law, including but not limited to drug offences, assault charges, theft and fraud, drink/drug driving and work licence applications. We’re committed to providing robust defence strategies tailored to each client’s unique situation.
Why should I choose McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers for my case?
Choosing McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers means you’re getting a team of dedicated professionals who are well-versed in the complexities of criminal law. We offer personalised attention, a thorough understanding of the legal system, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
How can I get in touch with McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers?
You can get in touch with our team by filling out our contact form, or by calling the office directly. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and how we can assist.
What is the process of working with McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers?
Once you’ve made contact, our team will arrange a consultation to discuss your case in detail. We will then develop a tailored defence strategy, keeping you informed at every stage of the process. Our goal is to ensure you understand your rights and options, and to provide the best possible defence.
