Australian media reports
Former Attorney-General Christian Porter has found love again, confirming his new relationship with lawyer Karen Espiner in a statement.
Former Attorney-General Christian Porter has revealed he’s found love with a Sydney-based criminal law specialist, after discontinuing his defamation action against the ABC.
The divorced dad, 50, has confirmed in a joint statement with his new girlfriend that he is dating Karen Espiner, who was previously awarded Criminal Law Partner of the Year in the 2020 Lawyers Weekly Awards.
Like Mr Porter, Ms Espiner has a discreet tattoo.
Promotional photos on her professional website display a semicolon tattoo on her wrist, which is known as a symbol of solidarity against depression, suicide, addiction and other mental health issues.
“The Minister and Ms Espiner have confirmed they are in the early stages of a relationship. That relationship has not been a secret but it is a private matter which they do not intend to discuss publicly,’’ a spokesman told news.com.au.
Earlier, Ms Espiner told Nine newspapers’ CBD column that: “Obviously over the last few months I have been one of many people who have provided Christian with a lot of support, but I have not been involved in the defamation proceedings in any legal capacity.”
Mr Porter has been in the headlines this year after the ABC published a story stating a senior cabinet minister was the subject of a 1988 rape allegation.
Mr Porter later chose to identify himself as the minister in question, arguing the ABC story defamed him and led to his identification on the internet. He denies the allegation and NSW police, who established a strike force to investigate the claims last year, have announced they will not investigate further after his accuser died by suicide in 2020 shortly after telling police she did not wish to proceed with a complaint.
Ms Espiner’s tattoo can be seen in her LinkedIn profile picture. Picture: LinkedInSource:Supplied
Ms Espiner is one of the state’s pre-eminent criminal lawyers, ranking her in the top band of lawyers in the state.
