The barrister who will represent former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian at a corruption inquiry is the 'go-to' lawyer for rich and powerful clients with everything to lose.
Bret Walker SC has acted for bikies, politicians and sport stars in headline-grabbing legal battles which come with high stakes potential consequences befitting his estimated $25,000-a-day fees.
Among his recent successes was appearing for Cardinal George Pell when the most senior Catholic clergyman in Australia beat charges of child sexual assault in a High Court appeal.
Mr Walker will represent Ms Berejiklian at an ICAC inquiry expected to last 10 days but the Department of Premier and Cabinet would not reveal if taxpayers were footing the bill.
'Ministers (as well as other public officials and Crown employees) may apply for ex gratia legal assistance in certain circumstances, including where the person is required to appear before the Independent Commission Against Corruption,' a spokesperson said.
The barrister who will represent former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian at a corruption inquiry is the 'go-to' lawyer for rich and powerful clients with everything to lose. Bret Walker SC (pictured) has acted for bikies, politicians and sports stars and can charge $25,000 a day
Ms Berejiklian has rarely been seen since resigning on October 1 (pictured) after ICAC announced it was investigating whether she breached the public trust during her relationship with former boyfriend Daryl Maguire
Bret Walker appeared for Cardinal George Pell (pictured) when the most senior Catholic clergyman in Australia beat charges of child sexual assault in a successful High Court appeal
ICAC is investigating whether Ms Berejiklian encouraged or allowed corrupt conduct by her onetime boyfriend Daryl Maguire, the disgraced NSW MP.
The inquiry relates to multi-million dollar government grants awarded to a gun club and conservatorium of music in Mr Maguire's then Wagga Wagga electorate.
Taxpayers picked up Mr Maguire's legal bills when he was before the commission. Mr Walker is known to sometimes take on government work at far below his usual fees.
Before establishing Mr Walker would represent Ms Berijiklian at the ICAC hearing, Daily Mail Australia polled several prominent silks about who she was likely to choose.
'If I were her I'd get Bret Walker,' one Senior Counsel responded immediately. When another Queen's Counsel was asked who he would hire in Ms Berejiklian's position he answered: 'Bret Walker SC'.
Mr Walker is the son of an Anglican minister from Sydney's inner west and was captain and dux of the King's School at Parramatta where broadcaster Alan Jones taught him English.
He was admitted as a barrister in 1979, appointed senior counsel in 1993 and is a former president of the NSW Bar Association. His second wife is fellow barrister Sarah Pritchard SC.
Mr Walker is the son of an Anglican minister from Sydney's inner west and was captain and dux of the King's School at Parramatta where broadcaster Alan Jones taught him English
Mr Walker will be assisted by Sophie Callan, who was one of 26 NSW barristers to be appointed senior counsel last year. Ms Callan (pictured) is best known known for prosecuting former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald over matters arising from ICAC inquiries
Ms Berejiklian was represented at an earlier ICAC hearing by Arthur Moses SC and they subsequently began a relationship. legal sources said it would be a 'bad look' if he continued to act for her.
'There might be an ethical issue but it doesn't even matter,' one Sydney lawyer said. 'It wouldn't even get to first base. There's no way that he would ever do it.'
Ms Berejiklian had sought Mr Walker's advice after being told by ICAC she would be named as a person of interest in its Operation Keppel inquiry.
Mr Walker advised the then premier she could legally stay in her job while the investigation continued but she resigned on October 1 and was replaced by Dominic Perrottet.
While Ms Berejiklian is not listed as a witness at the hearing next week she will have Mr Walker protecting her interests.
Mr Walker will be assisted by Sophie Callan, who was one of 26 NSW barristers to be appointed senior counsel last year.
Ms Callan is best known known for prosecuting former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald over matters arising from ICAC inquiries.
Mary Berejiklian (right) revealed her sister Gladys (centre) was in a relationship with barrister Arthur Moses SC (left) in this Instagram post in June
The former premier's secret relationship was revealed on October 12 last year when tapped phone calls between her Mr Maguire (pictured together) were played at a corruption inquiry
As an advocate Mr Walker is known for his meticulous preparation and as a brilliant strategist rather than for theatrical performances or flashy courtroom antics.
'He's the go-to guy for people with money and for big companies, for anything,' one lawyer said.
The lawyer predicted Mr Walker would necessarily be relying heavily on Ms Callan's work behind the scenes at ICAC.
Mr Walker, who has described himself as a social democrat, has his own history with ICAC, having both criticised and acted for the controversial agency.
He has called for ICAC to be stripped of the power to make public findings of corruption against the subjects of investigations, stating it threatened the concept of a fair trial.
Last year Mr Walker provided legal advice to ICAC as it sought an overhaul of the way it was funded, which Mr Walker found might be unlawful.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has admitted she shared a private relationship with disgraced former colleague Daryl Maguire while he was in office. Secretly recorded phone conversations the pair had have been played at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (pictured)
ICAC funding is considered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and NSW Treasury before being signed off by Cabinet's expenditure review committee.
Mr Walker found that arrangement exposed ICAC to a risk of undue influence.
In a report to Parliament he said there was a need to eliminate 'undesirable - unlawful, as I see them - aspects of the current funding arrangements for ICAC.'
Mr Walker foreshadowed a 'looming conflict' between the independence of ICAC and public servants being able to restrict future funding.
He cited the 'crude, hypothetical but not fantastical' potential for the Department of Premier and Cabinet refusing extra funding for an investigation which could reflect adversely on the government.
Mr Walker appeared for former prime minister Kevin Rudd at the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program and saved Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce when dual citizenship claims threatened his political career.
Gladys Berejiklian departs after giving evidence at the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption on October 12 last year
He helped the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang challenge
