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Lara
Menon

Senior Associate

Professional Biography of Lara

Lara Menon joined the Coutts team in August 2018, working within our Criminal and Family Law teams from our Camden office. Her swift advancement from Paralegal, Law Graduate, Lawyer, Senior Lawyer and most recently, Senior Associate in February 2022, is a testament to her astute legal skills and commitment to client service excellence. In January 2024, Lara was promoted to the head of the Criminal Law department.

Lara has developed a formidable reputation as a lawyer who can achieve legal triumphs in complex Criminal and Family Law matters. She seeks to identify the underlying causes of a client’s legal issues and provide sustainable solutions to ensure they never have to appear before the Courts again.

Lara holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Laws. Lara is admitted to practice as a Lawyer in the Supreme Court of NSW and is on the Roll of Practitioners of the High Court of Australia.

In 2019, Lara was selected by the NSW Law Society to work as a Judge’s Associate for the Deputy State Coroner in the NSW Coroner’s Court, as well as Local Court Magistrates. This provided Lara with invaluable insight into the Court system and judicial functions from the other side of the Bar table. Lara uses this insight to assist her clients, both in Family & Criminal Law.

Lara’s empathetic and sensitive approach allows her to build a great rapport with clients and due to her negotiation skills, Lara is often able to settle Family Law matters without the need for costly litigation. When negotiations break down and resolution is not possible, Lara is a fierce advocate for her clients and continuously strives to achieve the best outcome.

To assist anyone who has been in trouble with the police and requires immediate legal advice or representation, Lara can be contacted on our criminal law hotline for immediate assistance on 02 8324 7527.

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Professional Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England
  • Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Laws
  • Admitted as a Lawyer to the Supreme Court of New South Wales
  • Admitted to the High Court of Australia
  • Certificate of Family Law for Support Staff through the New South Wales Law Society
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Areas of Practice

In terms of Family Law, Lara has the ability to represent clients on matters involving:

In terms of Criminal Law, Lara has the experience and knowledge to act for a range of clients on matters involving:

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Articles

Co-authored Articles

Success Stories

Man caught driving 41km/h over the speed limit has suspension period reduced Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon. Our client was a 27-year-old man who, over the October long weekend, was caught exceeding the speed limit on the Hume Highway at Goulburn by 41km/h - driving at 151km/h in a 110km/h zone. As a result of this offence,Read More »Man caught driving 41km/h over the speed limit has suspension period reduced
Man Charged with Drug Supply Escapes Prison Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon. Our client was an 18-year-old man who was caught by Police with significant quantities of drugs in his car. Our client was in the car with an associate in Harrington Park when Police arrived to undertake a routine crime prevention surveillance of the area. FollowingRead More »Man Charged with Drug Supply Escapes Prison
Man Charged with Second Possession of a Prohibited Drug Receives Leniency Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon. Our client was a 20-year-old man who was found by Police to be in possession of a prohibited drug, cannabis leaf, punishable by a 2-year term of imprisonment or $2,200 fine or both. At the time, our client was in theRead More »Man Charged with Second Possession of a Prohibited Drug Receives Leniency
Always Consult With a Lawyer First Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon. Our client approached Coutts after his former partner told him to present to Police as she had reported breaches of AVO. Instead of speaking with Police, he took our general advice to speak with a Lawyer first. During that consultation, Lara was able to provide tailoredRead More »Always Consult With a Lawyer First
Man Escapes Prison After Stabbing His Stepfather Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client, a 19-year-old man, was charged with Reckless Wounding after he used a kitchen knife to stab his stepfather during an altercation. Lara made submissions to the Sentencing Magistrate in relation to our client’s troubled childhood and the effect that being a witness toRead More »Man Escapes Prison After Stabbing His Stepfather
Man escapes prison time after pleading guilty to supplying drugs & dealing with the proceeds of crime Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 23 year old man who, on New Year’s Eve, was stopped by Police for the purposes of a random breath test. When Police indicated they would like him to undertake aRead More »Man escapes prison time after pleading guilty to supplying drugs & dealing with the proceeds of crime
Man charged with multiple serious offences escapes imprisonment  Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 30 year old man charged with some very serious offences, including two counts of possess prohibited drug, two counts of possess unregistered prohibited firearm, possess prohibited plant, possess prohibited drug and divert of use electricity from generating system without authority.Read More »Man charged with multiple serious offences escapes imprisonment
Driver successful in appeal to overturn automatic suspension of licence Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon A 33 year old man sought Lara’s assistance in appealing a decision of the RMS to suspend his license after he was caught speeding in excess of 30km over the signposted speed limit. Our client was an upstanding member of society, voluntarilyRead More »Driver successful in appeal to overturn automatic suspension of licence
Teenager Charged with Sexual Assault avoids conviction & child sex offender register Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon An 18 year old man contacted our office while in custody, charged with sexual assault without consent of a child. At the time of the offence, our client was 17 years old and as a result, his matter was listedRead More »Teenager Charged with Sexual Assault avoids conviction & child sex offender register
Man with significant driving record, and multiple previous suspensions, escapes suspension Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client, a 55-year-old man, was charged with driving while suspended, driving without proper control of a vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident without exchanging particulars. When returning from work, our client noticed that his dog had escaped hisRead More »Man with significant driving record, and multiple previous suspensions, escapes suspension
Coutts Exceeds Client Expectations and Secures Favourable Outcome For Client After 12-Year Separation Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client and his former wife were separated for 12 years before seeking legal advice from Coutts. During that time, our client continued to make mortgage repayments on the former matrimonial home while his former wife exclusively lived inRead More »Coutts Exceeds Client Expectations and Secures Favourable Outcome For Client After 12-Year Separation
18-year-old man escapes conviction for Skye’s Law Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was an 18-year-old man charged with the infamous Skye’s Law offence – police pursuit (not stop, drive recklessly), low range drink driving and loss of traction (burnout). Following the death of 18-month old Skye when a driver attempting to evade police crashed intoRead More »18 year old man escapes conviction for Skye’s Law
18-Year-Old Charged with Driving with an Illicit Substance Present in Oral Fluid Receives No Conviction Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was an 18-year-old male that was charged with driving with an illicit substance in his oral fluid. He was facing up to a $2,200 fine and license disqualification for 6 months which would significantly influenceRead More »18-Year-Old Charged with Driving with an Illicit Substance Present in Oral Fluid Receives No Conviction
Young man involved in brawl during lockdown escapes conviction Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was 25 year old man charged with refusing to leave a licensed premises, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a brawl outside a licensed venue. During the second COVID lockdown, our client attended a local establishment with friends before itRead More »Young man involved in brawl during lockdown escapes conviction
Man charged with using his phone during double demerits escapes without penalty Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 50 year old man who, while on holidays, was detected using his mobile phone for navigation by a mobile phone camera. The offence was detected during double demerits, so our client was set to lose 10Read More »Man charged with using his phone during double demerits escapes without penalty
Assault charges dismissed following compelling submissions Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 49 year old man charged with common assault following an argument with his son. During Covid lockdown, our client's son invited drug dealers to the family home while no one else was home. When questioned, the argument became heated and our clientRead More »Assault Charges Dismissed Following Compelling Submissions
Young driver gets a second chance Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 19-year-old male who received penalty notices for two offences relating to the conditions placed on his provisional licence – one offence for not displaying P plates, and the other for driving a manual car while on an automatic provisional licence. The clientRead More »Young driver gets a second chance
License suspended due to low range Drink Driving Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon While driving home from work, our client was stopped by Police on the Hume Highway and requested he provides a roadside breath test. Following a positive result, our client was arrested and taken back to the closest station for a breath analysis. Our client’sRead More »License suspended due to low range Drink Driving
Man charged with 4 Domestic Violence related offences has charges dismissed Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 19-year-old man with a juvenile criminal history. Our client was charged with four domestic violence related offences, including two counts of Common Assault, one count of destroy/damage property and one count of stalk/intimidate following an altercation withRead More »Man charged with 4 Domestic Violence related offences has charges dismissed
Man Charged with Affray has Charges Withdrawn Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 42-year-old man charged with Affray following a dispute with his neighbour. During the extended COVID lockdowns, our client’s children and nephew (who was visiting from New Zealand and then forced to stay in Australia as a result of the lockdowns) wereRead More »Man Charged with Affray has Charges Withdrawn
Final Orders amended following Contravention Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Lara’s client, a Mum of two children, had a Contravention Application filed against her, alleging seven counts of contravening Final Court Orders. The children had made a number of disclosures which led to Lara’s client having genuine concerns about the safety and well-being of the children whileRead More »Final Orders amended following Contravention
Man escapes conviction after driving whilst his licence was cancelled Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client, a 57-year-old man with no previous criminal history, was charged with driving whilst his licence was cancelled. In December 2020, our client’s licence was disqualified for a period of 3 months, which was due to expire in March 2021. OurRead More »Man Escapes Conviction after Driving Whilst his Licence was Cancelled
Man charged with destroying his own Laptop Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client, a 48-year-old man with no criminal history (except for a drink driving offence 16 years prior) was charged with intentionally destroy/damage property, which is punishable by 5 years imprisonment. On the day of the offence, Christmas Eve, our client returned home from anRead More »Man Charged with Destroying his own Laptop
Man receives no conviction and Conditional Release Order for Assault Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 30 year old man charged with assault of his wife after a domestic incident. The parties marriage was under incredible pressure and had started to show signs of strain. Following a verbal argument, the victim was refusing toRead More »Man receives no conviction and Conditional Release Order for assault
Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm charges downgraded following pillow fight Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client, who had previous criminal charges involving drink driving, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a pillow fight with his girlfriend, and with intimidation following a separate incident with the same girlfriend. The parties were in a domesticRead More »Assault occasioning actual bodily harm charges downgraded following pillow fight
Assault charges withdrawn and Stalk/Intimidate charge dealt with under Mental Health Act Lawyer-in-charge: Lara Menon Our client was a 50-year-old man with a previous criminal history. Our client had suffered a catastrophic workplace accident 3 years prior to the offence and had suffered significant injuries. As a result of these injuries, our client was alsoRead More »Assault Charges Withdrawn and Stalk/Intimidate charge dealt with under Mental Health Act
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