Ashlea accepts work in a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters.
Ashlea has a strong background in the litigation of indictable crime in Victoria and interstate. She is an experienced advocate and has appeared as both defence and prosecution counsel in a range of contested indictable and summary criminal matters in the County Court, Magistrates’ Court and Children’s Court, including drug offences, matters of violence and sex offences. Ashlea is also experienced in serious offender applications and other related proceedings.
Ashlea commenced her career as criminal defence lawyer in Western New South Wales. She gained significant advocacy experience, appearing daily for clients in the Local, Children’s and District Courts, in bail applications, contest hearings, plea and sentence proceedings and appeals. Ashlea was listed on the Legal Aid NSW Summary and Serious Crime panels and appeared regularly for young offenders, as well as marginalised and disadvantaged clients. She is experienced in the unique issues that face Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people exposed to the criminal justice system.
Immediately prior to coming to the Bar, Ashlea was a Solicitor Advocate for the Office of Public Prosecutions where she appeared daily in contested criminal matters in the Magistrates’, Children’s and County Courts. Before becoming a Senior Advocate, Ashlea was a solicitor at the Victorian OPP, and has worked as a solicitor for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW). In each of these roles she developed strong skills in the litigation of serious indictable matters, including cases of sex offending, serious violence, drug trafficking and complex fraud.
Ashlea is experienced in criminal and regulatory matters including licencing appeals, Victorian Building Authority matters and WorkSafe prosecutions. She also accepts briefs in royal commissions, coronial inquests, inquiries, disciplinary proceedings and tribunal cases and OHS prosecutions, as well as intervention orders.
Ashlea read with Diana Price. Her Senior Mentor is Chris Carr KC.