The Principal of Australian Defamation Lawyers is Barrie Goldsmith.

Barrie Goldsmith was admitted as a solicitor in England in 1975. At that time, he started to specialise in defamation work as well as general commercial litigation.

In 1982, Barrie migrated to Australia and worked until 1984 for Blake Dawson Waldron, one of Australia's largest law firms.

Barrie was employed in one of the commercial litigation groups that had responsibility for the firm's defamation work. It was during that employment that Barrie gained substantial exposure to and knowledge of Australian defamation law. The firm's defamation clients included News Limited and Barrie worked on a number of cases on behalf of that client.

A significant case in defamation law is a case of Ian Chapell against News Limited. Barrie was an instructing solicitor in that case and which concluded with a very lengthy hearing.

In 1984, Barrie established his own practice, Goldsmiths Lawyers. He has, since that time, continued to practice and specialise in defamation law. Barrie is on a panel of solicitors recommended by the Law Society of New South Wales as specialising in defamation law.

He possesses some 25 years experience in defamation law.