Susan is an experienced trial advocate who has over 30 years experience as a barrister, and predominantly practices in Criminal and Family Law. Susan is also a Nationally Accredited Mediator.
Susan has appeared in the High Court, Court of Appeal, the Federal Circuit and Family Court, the Supreme Court and County Court with extensive experience in complex trials and appeals.
Susan was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 2006.
Criminal Law:
Susan's Criminal Law trial work includes homicides, sexual offences, drug trials, frauds including art fraud, and other complex criminal trials. Susan has also given advice and appeared at IBAC.
Susan has examined and cross-examined a variety of experts including forensic pathologists, DNA experts, senior scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists, handwriting, ballistic, voice identification experts and engineers.
She has prepared written cases for and appeared in interlocutory, conviction and sentence appeals.
Susan is on the Preferred Barristers List for VLA and has an Indictable Crime Certificate. Susan is also a member of the Criminal Bar Association and has NV1 security clearance.
Family Law:
Susan also practices in all areas of family law and de facto jurisdictions, including interim defended hearings, mediations and final hearings.
Susan is a member of the Family Law Bar Association, the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is currently completing the AICD’s Company Directors course.
Previous experience:
During her 30 years at the bar, Susan has held a variety of positions including that of:
- Deputy Chief Counsel to the Office of the Special Investigator (Vic), working with Geoffrey Nettle AC KC (2021-2022)
- A Crown Prosecutor (Vic) (2007 - 2017);
- Senior Crown Prosecutor (UK) (2006 - 2007);
- Sessional Member of VCAT (1999-2007);
- Part-time Member of the Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal (1999- 2007);
- Session Member of the Psychologists Registration Board (2003 – 2006);
- Member of the Therapeutic Treatment Board (2017) which is responsible for the treatment of children who engage in sexually abusive behaviours.
Publications:
Susan co-authored a book published by Thompson Reuters in July 2017, titled Criminal Appeals and Reviews in Victoria, along with Professor Chris Corns and Adrian Castle. The chapter on appellate advocacy, which was written by Susan, provides practical advice to legal practitioners on the preparation required to appear in the High Court and Court of Appeal, the appearance itself, and the importance of written submissions as the basis for the oral advocacy.
Cambridge:
In 2017, Susan presented at the 35th Economic Crime Symposium at Jesus College, Cambridge University on Art Fraud.
In 2018, Susan presented at the 36th Economic Crime Symposium at Jesus College, Cambridge University on ‘Human Trafficking’, ‘Taxing Crime’ (panel discussion) and ‘Divesting Criminals of ill-gotten gains in a world without financial Borders’.
Electronic briefs:
Susan is trained in the use of electronic briefs.
Membership:
- Family Law Bar Association
- Criminal Bar Association
- Women’s Barristers Association
- Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Member of the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators