Monique Cowden is an experienced advocate with a practice focusing on commercial, equity, public and defamation law. Monique advises and appears in corporate and commercial disputes in all jurisdictions. She also appears in class-actions for plaintiffs, funders and as an independent adviser to lead plaintiffs on costs issues. In her media practice, Monique routinely appears for journalists, mass media and social media platforms. She is routinely engaged for her expertise in defamation, injurious falsehood, breach of confidence, privacy, contempt, and administrative law.  Monique is recognised as a leading technology, media & telecommunications junior counsel in Doyles Guide (NSW) (in 2024, and as a recommended junior counsel in 2023 and 2022) and received a national ranking in Doyles Guide (Australia) in 2024. Monique is a member of the NSW Bar Association's Media Information Law and Technology committee (2024 and 2023), and has lectured in defamation law at the University of Sydney. Prior to being called to the Bar, Monique worked as a commercial litigator at pre-eminent firms in Sydney. She won the Lawyers’ Weekly ‘Best 30 Lawyers under 30’ national award two years in a row in the categories of Litigation and her service to Pro-Bono work. She holds degrees in Law and Economics & Social Sciences from the University of Sydney, and graduated with Honours and various academic prizes. She also holds a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney.