Peter Lavac is a renowned Australian criminal barrister with over four decades of legal experience spanning Australia and Hong Kong. He is best known for defending and prosecuting in close to 100 murder trials, his controversial yellow Lamborghini with the “LGOPNR” number plates, and his recent pro-Israel advocacy work. The Sydney-based lawyer has also made headlines as a podcast host, film actor, surf lifesaving champion, and activist.
Quick Wiki/Bio about Peter Lavac
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Peter Lavac |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 1946 (estimated) |
| Age | 79-80 years old (as of 2026) |
| Place of birth | Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic) |
| Current residence | Palm Beach, Sydney, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Ethnicity | Czech |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Not publicly disclosed |
| Spouse | Not publicly disclosed |
| Children | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profession | Criminal barrister, podcast host, public speaker, filmmaker, former crown prosecutor |
| Net worth | Estimated $2-5 million |
Who is Peter Lavac?
Peter Lavac is a veteran criminal barrister who has built his reputation in courtrooms across Australia and Hong Kong.
He practised as a crown prosecutor in Hong Kong from 1986 to 1994, locking up triad gangsters and criminals before switching to defence work from 1994 to 2003.
Since returning to Australia in 2004, he has practised at the NSW private criminal bar, handling cases ranging from white-collar corporate criminals to motorcycle outlaws.
Born in Czechoslovakia, Lavac experienced Russian occupation as a child before immigrating to Australia.
His colourful life extends far beyond the courtroom, encompassing world record-breaking athletic achievements, lifesaving heroics, and activism on issues from smoking to antisemitism.
How old is Peter Lavac? Age and background
Peter Lavac is 79 or 80 years old as of 2026. According to a 2021 Daily Mail report, he was 75 years old at that time, suggesting he was born around 1946.
He holds both Czech and Australian heritage, having been born in what was then Czechoslovakia and later becoming an Australian citizen.
The barrister has been open about his early challenges, including growing up with an alcoholic father. At 15, he began going to the gym to protect himself, sparking a lifelong interest in health and fitness that would shape his future athletic achievements.
Peter Lavac’s career
Early legal career and Hong Kong years
Lavac started his legal career as a solicitor in Australia before moving to Hong Kong in 1986. For eight years, he served as a crown prosecutor, building his reputation by prosecuting triad gangsters and serious criminals.
He then switched to criminal defence work, representing clients in high-stakes murder trials until 2003.
During his 18 years in Hong Kong, Lavac handled some of the most challenging criminal cases in the region.
His experience in both prosecution and defence gave him unique insights into the criminal justice system.
Return to Australia
Lavac returned to Sydney in 2004 and established himself at the NSW private criminal bar. He has since prosecuted and defended in close to 100 murder trials across Australia.
His cases have included white-collar corporate criminals, motorcycle gang members, and various other defendants facing serious charges.
As a practising criminal lawyer for over 35 years, Lavac has developed expertise in criminal law, courtroom advocacy, and trial strategy. He is recognised as one of Australia’s most high-profile criminal barristers.
Surf lifesaving and athletic achievements
While working his way through law school, Lavac worked as a bouncer at the Sydney Hilton’s George Adams bar. In 1975, he disarmed a gunman by grabbing his wrist and then kicking the weapon out of reach. This was one of several dramatic incidents in his early career.
Lavac also worked as a professional lifeguard and beach inspector at Queenscliff Beach. In 1971, he saved a 12-year-old boy and his father who had been swept out by a rip. He earned a gold medal in surf lifesaving and describes this rescue as his proudest achievement.
His most remarkable athletic feat came in July 1990 when he set a world record for a 900km surfski voyage from Hong Kong to the Philippines across the South China Sea. He trained for over a year, paddling the waters of Shek O on a surf ski to prepare for the challenge.
Podcast and media presence
In 2022, Lavac launched “The Lambo Lawyer” podcast, sharing stories from his decades in criminal law.
The podcast features tales of courtroom battles, criminal characters, and personal adventures. He describes himself as a “self-confessed narcissist” who has “unavailable” stories to tell.
The podcast gained attention for its mix of true crime, comedy, and personal anecdotes. Lavac pulls from his vast experience handling murder trials, saving lives in the surf, and wrestling crooks in court.
Film career
Lavac made his silver screen debut in 2021, playing a gangster named Seal in the independent short film “Crazy Love.” The role saw him cast alongside his yellow Lamborghini as a gun-toting criminal character.
At 75, he expressed aspirations for Hollywood stardom, describing acting as another adventure in his action-packed life.
Public speaking and advocacy
Lavac works as a motivational and inspirational speaker through Celebrity Speakers Australia. His speaking topics include inspiration and motivation, strategies for achieving success in professional, financial, sports, and fitness areas, overcoming adversity, criminal law insights, and personal development.
He has become known for his outspoken views on various social and political issues, including what he calls Australia’s “wokeness” problem, immigration policy, and government accountability.
Israel advocacy and documentary work
Peter Lavac is not Jewish, but became a vocal advocate for Israel and the Australian Jewish community after being shocked by the surge in antisemitism following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
In mid-2025, he spent three weeks in Israel filming a documentary to educate Australians about the October 7 attacks and counter what he describes as “widespread media propaganda.”
Working with Cannes award-winning cinematographer Alon Grego, he filmed throughout the Gaza envelope, Majdal Shams, and the Lebanon border area.
Lavac has offered free legal advice to Jews impacted by antisemitism and has led vigils and rallies in support of Israel. He frequently speaks at events alongside Australian Jewish community leaders.
Recent advocacy work
In 2025, Lavac became involved in the Eden Westbrook case, assisting the family of the 15-year-old Tasmanian girl whose 2015 death was ruled a suicide.
Working with Senator Jacqui Lambie, Lavac has accused Tasmanian police of a cover-up and called for a public inquest into the case.
What is Peter Lavac’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Peter Lavac’s net worth is estimated between $2 million and $5 million. He has built this fortune through his extensive legal career spanning over four decades as both a crown prosecutor and criminal defence barrister.
Senior criminal barristers in Australia can earn between $200,000 and $1 million annually, depending on their caseload and reputation.
Given Lavac’s high profile and experience handling complex murder trials, his annual income likely falls in the upper range of this bracket.
His wealth is also reflected in his ownership of a yellow Lamborghini worth approximately $500,000. He describes himself as “working hard to work as little as possible” after more than 35 years in the courtroom.
Peter Lavac’s Lamborghini and number plate controversy
Lavac became internationally famous for his yellow Lamborghini sporting the controversial personalised number plate “LGOPNR.” He explained the plates were meant to read as “leg opener,” a cheeky reference to his playboy reputation as a young man when he discovered he could “get girls very easily.”
In August 2020, Transport NSW ordered him to surrender the plates after receiving complaints they were offensive.
Police seized the plates in December 2020 after pulling him over. Lavac fought the decision in court, describing it as a “massive taking-the-piss exercise,” but lost his appeal.
In January 2021, he unveiled replacement plates reading “XXLEGO,” standing for “extra large ego.” The new plates were equally egotistical but less controversial. He told media he deserved the plates after surviving cancer and achieving world records.
Peter Lavac’s health journey
Lavac is a lifelong non-smoker and teetotaller who was shocked to be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. After what he thought was a bad bout of flu, doctors discovered cancer that required major surgery to remove 30 per cent of his right lung.
He survived the operation and became an outspoken advocate against second-hand smoke. Lavac blamed his cancer on chain-smoking neighbours in the flat below his apartment, testifying at a 2006 NSW parliamentary inquiry into tobacco smoking.
He described how second-hand smoke constantly permeated his apartment, causing a burning sore throat, constant coughing, hoarseness, and breathing difficulty.
Lavac knew he was fully recovered when he could bench press 300lbs (136kg) in the gym again. His fitness dedication has remained a central part of his life, with health and fitness being ongoing passions stemming from his teenage years.
Is Peter Lavac married? Wife and relationship status
Peter Lavac has not publicly disclosed details about his marital status, wife, or children. He has referred to his “playboy” reputation as a young man but keeps his current personal relationships private.
At 79 or 80 years old, the barrister focuses public attention on his professional work and advocacy rather than his personal life.
Despite his high profile and willingness to share stories from his colourful past, he maintains privacy around his family relationships.
Peter Lavac’s social media presence
Peter Lavac maintains an Instagram account under the handle @xxlego_lamborghini, where he has 710 followers as of January 2026.
The account features posts about his yellow Lamborghini, his legal career, Israel advocacy, and personal achievements.
His bio states “There is a book and podcast coming soon,” hinting at future projects. He uses the platform to share messages about standing “shoulder to shoulder with the Lions of Zion” and documenting his pro-Israel activism. P
osts include throwback photos from his Hong Kong crown prosecutor days and his world record surfski voyage.
Fast facts about Peter Lavac
- Lavac worked as a bouncer at Sydney Hilton while attending law school and disarmed a gunman in 1975 by grabbing his wrist and kicking the weapon away.
- He saved a father and son from drowning at Queenscliff Beach in 1971 while working as a beach inspector, which he considers his proudest achievement.
- Lavac set a world record in July 1990 for paddling 900km across the South China Sea from Hong Kong to the Philippines on a surfski.
- He is a cancer survivor who had 30 per cent of his right lung removed in 2008 and blamed the disease on second-hand smoke from neighbours.
- Lavac lived and worked in Hong Kong for 18 years, spending eight years as a crown prosecutor and 10 years as a criminal defence barrister.
- He made his film debut at age 75, playing a gangster named Seal in the independent short film “Crazy Love.”
- Lavac is of Czech descent and experienced Russian occupation as a child before immigrating to Australia.
- He competes in mixed martial arts and can bench press 300lbs (136kg) despite being in his late seventies.
- Lavac launched “The Lambo Lawyer” podcast in 2022, sharing stories from his decades of criminal law practice.
- He saved a District Court judge from an attack by a prisoner during sentencing proceedings in court.
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Wrapping up
Peter Lavac is a multifaceted Australian criminal barrister whose career spans over four decades of high-profile legal work in Australia and Hong Kong.
From prosecuting triad gangsters to defending motorcycle outlaws, disarming gunmen to setting world records on a surfski, Lavac has lived a life few can match.
His controversial Lamborghini number plates, Israel advocacy, podcast, and film debut have kept him in the public eye well into his seventies.
As of 2026, he continues his legal practice while expanding into documentary filmmaking and public advocacy on issues he considers critical for Australia’s future.
References
- Celebrity Speakers Australia. “Peter Lavac – Criminal Barrister”.
- News.com.au. “Peter Lavac: Colourful life of Sydney barrister with ‘offensive’ Lamborghini plate”. September 23, 2020.
- Daily Mail Australia. “Sydney lawyer Peter Lavac banned from using ‘LGOPNR’ number plates – makes bid for Hollywood”. December 3, 2021.
- News.com.au. “Sydney Lambo barrister turns pro-Israel filmmaker”. August 6, 2025.
- Australian Jewish News. “Lavac’s doco in Israel counters Hamas lies”. October 22, 2025.
- Apple Podcasts. “Peter Lavac | Criminal Barrister Fighting for Freedom”. July 30, 2025.
- News.com.au. “Lambo lawyer Peter Lavac spills secrets in new podcast”. November 27, 2022.
- Tasmanian Times. “Vigil For Justice For Eden Westbrook”. February 17, 2025.
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