Will Slack
Special Counsel
Will Slack is a skilled advocate with over 15 years of experience in complex litigation. He joins Clutch Legal as Special Counsel having spent the past decade in practice as a barrister – one of very few practitioners on the Sunshine Coast to bring formal barrister training to a solicitor practice. That distinction is not merely a credential. It means Will approaches every matter with an advocate’s instincts from the outset: building the argument before the dispute escalates, preparing for the hearing before the file reaches counsel, and positioning clients for the best possible outcome at every stage of the process.
Before entering private practice, Will held senior roles at the heart of Queensland’s regulatory and administrative framework – including as Director of Legal Services for the Parole Board Queensland and Director at the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation. He has not simply appeared before government bodies – he has run them. He understands how decisions are made, how investigators build their cases, and where the pressure points lie in any regulatory dispute. With over 12 years of experience at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions—rising from a clerk to Senior Crown Prosecutor—Will offers a level of insight that is virtually unmatched on the Sunshine Coast. This background gives him a comprehensive understanding of exactly how prosecutions are conducted and where they can be effectively challenged.
Will’s practice has a particular focus on liquor and gaming regulation, an area in which he has deep expertise across the full spectrum of matters: licensing applications and variations, compliance advice, investigations, prosecutions, and reviews. He acts for operators, licensees, and individuals at every stage – from early engagement with the regulator through to contested proceedings before QCAT and the courts. His regulatory practice extends well beyond liquor and gaming. Companies and individuals operating in regulated industries frequently encounter government scrutiny across multiple agencies, and Will is equipped to advise and act across that broader terrain.
Will also advises on regulatory compliance and disputes arising in the construction industry, fisheries, and other sectors subject to government oversight. For businesses navigating the complexity of government regulation, Will’s value lies not only in his ability to litigate but in his capacity to advise strategically well before a dispute arises, to negotiate outcomes that protect operational continuity, and to manage the relationship with the regulator in a way that serves the client’s long-term interests.
Will’s litigation practice spans commercial disputes, regulatory proceedings, and serious criminal defence – areas that are more connected than they might appear. The skills that make an effective commercial litigator – analytical rigour, procedural discipline, and the ability to construct a persuasive argument under pressure – are the same skills that define an effective criminal advocate. Will’s criminal law practice is built for high-stakes, complex matters. He acts in matters involving serious violence, sexual offending, complex fraud, drug trafficking, and high-profile historical cases, as well as traffic law and domestic violence proceedings. His advice is practical and direct: he will give you an honest assessment of your prospects and a clear strategy for achieving the best available outcome. Across all areas of his practice – commercial, regulatory, and criminal – Will brings the same approach: rigorous preparation, clear advice, and skilled advocacy when it counts.
Will is based on the Sunshine Coast and is committed to providing the region’s businesses and individuals with senior legal representation that does not require a trip to Brisbane. His practice is built around this community — the local operators, small and medium businesses, and individuals who deserve access to a practitioner of Will’s calibre close to home. Will has a lifelong affinity for the Sunshine Coast, having holidayed here annually since childhood before making it his permanent home over six years ago. Now a proud member of the Bli Bli community, he supports local businesses through pro bono legal advice and serves the broader region as a member of the QRL Judiciary on the Sunshine Coast.
When he’s not in the courtroom, Will is usually leaning into the Sunshine Coast lifestyle with his wife and two boys. As enthusiastic annual members of the Ginger Factory and Sea Life, the family is always on the hunt for the Coast’s best playgrounds, though nothing beats a simple day spent building memories together at the beach. An avid sports fan, Will stays closely tuned into the Brisbane Broncos, the Queensland Reds, and all things cricket. However, his favourite way to reset is out on the water at Alex Heads or Mudjimba; if the swell is right, there is no better place to be than finding some shade in the green room.