With 30 years of criminal experience, Lester has a reputation as an outstanding trial lawyer who has represented defendants in 100’s of jury trials and serious appeals throughout New Zealand.

He is dedicated to helping alleviate the stress associated with negotiating the criminal justice system. To that end, he always provides clients with clear, sound, and timely advice.

Lester is well known for his thorough preparation and good judgment. He is considered a tenacious and dedicated defence lawyer who is often complimented on his skillful cross-examination and powerful closing addresses.

Lester has been lead counsel in a wide spectrum of trials involving murder and manslaughter allegations, violence, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other serious assaults.

Additionally, Lester has a wealth of experience and has successfully defended clients facing the most serious of sexual offences and charges involving adult and child complainants in recent and historical sexual abuse allegations.

Lester has defended many clients facing serious drugs charges involving importation, manufacture and the supply of illegal drugs and has been lead counsel in some of the most serious drug operation trials over the past 20 years.

Lester has a strong appellate practice arguing serious miscarriages of justice in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He is frequently contacted by those convicted of serious crimes (or by their families) and instructed to review their cases to determine if grounds exist for an appeal. He has had many convictions overturned after arguing successful appeals in such serious cases as murder, armed robbery, drug cases, and serious sexual offending.

Lester is a senior member of a leading criminal chambers, Matai Chambers and enjoys an abundance of support during his preparation of major jury trials and appeals.

Lester is a member of the Criminal Bar Association and over the years has been a guest lecturer at the University of Auckland on the subject of criminal defence practice.