Samantha practises in child protection and criminal law.
In the Family Division of the Children’s Court of Victoria, Samantha has appeared at all stages of proceedings on behalf of children, parents, extended family members and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. She has completed the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Course on Cultural Competency in Working with Aboriginal Families within the Court System.
In her criminal law practice, Samantha has appeared in the Criminal Division of the Children’s Court of Victoria, the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the County Court of Victoria, as well as the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.
Samantha has also been a Teaching Associate at Monash University Law School, in addition to her practice.
Prior to the Bar
Prior to being called to the Bar, Samantha was conducting research at Monash University, examining the concept of family violence as a defence to homicide, in particular the admissibility of expert evidence of family violence as credibility evidence under sections 9AH and 322J of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) and sections 79 and 108C of the Evidence Act 2008 (Vic).
She was also a researcher with the Out of Character? Legal Responses to Intimate Partner Homicides by Men in Victoria 2005 - 2014 project and the Australian Feminist Judgments Project.
Samantha has also completed a Masters thesis, which analysed the entire body of family provision precedent heard under Part IV of the Administration and Probate Act 1958 (Vic), with the aim of identifying consistent trends in decisions.
Selected publications are available on the Social Science Research Network.
Samantha acts pro bono through Justice Connect.
Samantha read with Ms Elizabeth M Brimer S.C., as Her Honour then was, and her senior mentor was Ms Samantha L Marks Q.C., as Her Honour then was.
Memberships
- Children’s Court Bar Association
- Criminal Bar Association
Samantha has also served on the Student Engagement Committee, the New Barrister's Committee, the Women Barristers' Association Committee, as Honorary Treasurer and Secretary of the Children's Court Bar Association Committee and Secretary of her List Committee.