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Christian Porter proposes to his high-flying criminal lawyer girlfriend with a huge diamond ring – less than two years after splitting from his second wife and the mum to his kids

  • Christian Porter and lawyer girlfriend Karen Espiner are engaged

Former attorney-general Christian Porter asked his high-flying criminal lawyer girlfriend Karen Espiner to marry him, and she reportedly said ‘yes’.

Mr Porter and Mr Espiner were smiling from ear to ear at the Telethon Ball on Saturday night, where she wore a large diamond ring and showed a butterfly tattoo on her side.

The former Liberal minister has a tattoo of an X-wing fighter from Star Wars on his ribs. 

Mr Porter and Ms Espiner became an item in 2021, but it wasn’t until February this year that they were pictured together as they dined out in Sydney, where her practice is based.

Mr Porter's Sydney pitstop with Espiner (pictured together) was the first time the couple was seen together in public

Mr Porter’s Sydney pitstop with Espiner (pictured together) was the first time the couple was seen together in public

Mr Porter, 52, has returned to Henley Stirling Lawyers after leaving politics.

He had been considered a possible future prime minister but ended his political career as a backbencher after taking suing the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan in a defamation case.

Mr Porter left his attorney-general role after an emotional press conference in March 2021 following allegations – which he categorically denied – that he was involved in a rape in 1988 when he was 17 while attending a high-school debating competition in Sydney. 

An article by the ABC had detailed the accusations levelled at a Cabinet minister but did not name him.

Mr Porter (pictured with Ms Espiner) resigned from cabinet in September 2021 after it was revealed he had accepted anonymous donations from a blind trust to cover his legal expenses

Mr Porter (pictured with Ms Espiner) resigned from cabinet in September 2021 after it was revealed he had accepted anonymous donations from a blind trust to cover his legal expenses

But in the days that followed, Mr Porter outed himself as the minister referred to in the story, but strongly refuted all the allegations and launched legal action against the public broadcaster.

NSW Police found there was not enough evidence to pursue the historical allegations and dropped the investigation.

Mr Porter was moved to the position of Minister for Industry, Science and Technology while he was taking legal action against the ABC as a political compromise on the advice of the solicitor-general. 

The lawsuit was later settled out of court.

When it emerged his huge legal fees were paid for by a blind trust, he resigned from Cabinet completely. 

Mr Porter said the trust was established in a way that he did not know who the funders were.

Mr Porter split with his second wife Jennifer in 2020 after 13 years together. They have two children.

WHO IS HIGH-POWERED LAWYER KAREN ESPINER?

Karen Espiner is a hotshot criminal lawyer based in Sydney.

She co-founded Younes + Espiner Lawyers and was named Criminal Law Partner of the Year at the 2020 Lawyers Weekly Awards.

Much of Karen’s practice is devoted to representing clients in the District and Supreme Courts who have been charged with ‘very serious criminal law matters including murder, sexual offences, drug offences, serious assaults and corporate offences’.

‘She also appears in complicated Local Court matters for clients whose personal and professional reputations are at risk,’ her website states.

‘One of Karen’s strengths is her ability to analyse and explain complex legal issues to her clients in a simple, easy-to-follow way. 

‘She is well respected by other members of the profession and the judiciary and is known for her meticulous preparation, persuasive advocacy and professionalism.’ 

The legal eagle went public with her relationship with Christian Porter last year when he was in the midst of his defamation case against the ABC. 

Ms Espiner said she was not involved in Mr Porter’s defamation case but offered him personal support during the tough time.    

Although the couple went public with their relationship in June 2021, last February was the first time Mr Porter and Ms Espiner were seen in public together.

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The stylish brunette, who co-founded Younes + Espiner Lawyers, wore a colourful summer dress by the boutique Byron Bay designer Mister Zimi, while Mr Porter stepped out in dark Levi’s jeans, a sports jacket and Converse Chuck Taylor boots.

The two laughed and smiled as they held hands and wrapped arms while walking by the beach in the trendy suburb Ms Espiner calls home.

Ms Espiner wore a colourful summer dress by the boutique Byron Bay designer Mister Zimi, while Mr Porter stepped out in dark jeans, a sports jacket and Converse Chuck Taylors

Ms Espiner wore a colourful summer dress by the boutique Byron Bay designer Mister Zimi, while Mr Porter stepped out in dark jeans, a sports jacket and Converse Chuck Taylors

Although the couple went public with their relationship in June 2021, February was the first time Christian Porter and Karen Espiner (pictured) were photographed in public together

Although the couple went public with their relationship in June 2021, February was the first time Christian Porter and Karen Espiner (pictured) were photographed in public together

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