The Principal of the firm is Chris Watson. He obtained a Degree of Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney in 1969 and was admitted to practice as a solicitor in March 1970. He spent two years of pre-admission training as a clerk, articled to a former President of the Law Society of New South Wales Mr. John Gaden of Gaden Bowen and Stewart; now known as Gadens Ridgeway. During this period he was engaged in the defence of American military personnel arrested while in Australia on Rest and Recreation leave from the Vietnam conflict.

After admission as a solicitor he joined the firm of Kenneth W. Tribe & Co., a firm specialising in property and commercial law, becoming a partner in 1973, and continued to practice in the criminal law field.

In July 1976, the firm Watsons was established in Frederick Jordan Chambers, then at 233 Macquarie Street, adjacent to the Supreme and Federal Courts at Queens Square. The practice continued in these chambers until 1990 when the need for expanded premises brought a move to Novar Chambers, a large turn of the century mansion in Darlinghurst. New partners were admitted and additional staff engaged as the firm developed its two main divisions, commercial and civil litigation, and criminal law. These divisional arrangements led ultimately to the creation of two firms, Riley Lawyers conducting the commercial and civil litigation practice, with the criminal law practice continuing under the banner of Watsons.

The sale of Novar Chambers in 1999 caused relocation of the firm's offices to the Connaught Building at 187 Liverpool Street, Sydney. These are close to the Downing Centre Criminal Court complex, the New South Wales State and Federal Police Headquarters, the Sydney Police Centre, the National Crime Authority, the offices of State and Federal Prosecutors and to many other bodies relevant to the practice of criminal law such as Legal Aid, barristers' chambers etc.

Since inception, Watsons has provided a broad-based service in all facets of the criminal law and in all jurisdictions. Chris Watson has been accredited as a criminal law specialist since the introduction of the accreditation scheme, is admitted to practice in most States and Territories of Australia and is one of the founding members of the Australian Criminal Defence Lawyers Association. He is joined by a committed staff of qualified practitioners, including Charles Abbott, a criminal lawyer, other consultants and a paralegal support team.

The firm has represented clients in many land mark decisions, establishing general principles across the full spectrum of the serious criminal charges of murder, corporate fraud, kidnapping, sexual assault, major drug importation and distribution, money laundering, and in related fields such as assets confiscation, as well as the routine minor offences of assault, drink driving etc.

Some testimonials received from clients include the following comments:

"I would like to express my deep appreciation for the skill, determination with which you have pursued this matter on my behalf. I hope never to be in a position in which it becomes necessary to recommend your services, but if it were to happen, I would do so without hesitation".

"The excellent outcome is in my view attributable to your input into the matter. I feel that without your expertise and wise counsel, we would certainly have had the potential for a protracted period of time where my son's and my time would have been taken up with the tension and uncertainty of facing what were likely to be emotionally difficult proceedings".

"I am most appreciative of the very able assistance you gave, and would like to maintain contact with you".

"It was inevitable, if the scheme was fair dinkum, that you should be accredited as a criminal law specialist and my support merely reflects the facts".

"I would like the thank you for the professional way you handled my last court case. If it wasn't for your sound advice and instructions I'm sure the result would have been less than satisfactory. I am absolutely thrilled with the result".

"Just wanted to let you know that a day doesn't go by without me thanking my lucky stars that I had you on my side. Thank you for everything!".

"Thank you once again for representing me with such excellence and distinction. I greatly appreciate your help."

"What you provided was not a false sense of hope, however a methodical and professional approach to the case. Unlike other solicitors I have dealt with, it was refreshing to observe somebody who led the way. I felt we were operating in a different league where mutual respect was extremely evident. This, in concert with your presence and obvious seasoned approach to the facts at hand achieved the end result".

"It was worth the money".