Sarah has expertise in criminal law and regulatory cases.

She is particularly interested in the resolution of complex evidentiary and legal issues as part of an overall litigation strategy.  

Sarah appears in criminal trials in the Supreme Court, Federal Court and County Court. She has experience in cases involving allegtions of murder, conspiracy, anti-competitive conduct, Occupational Health and Safety Act breaches, drug importation and sexual assault. 

Recently, Sarah appeared in the first criminal trial in the Federal Court involving allegations of criminal cartel offences; attempt to induce price fixing and bid rigging.

Sarah also appears in criminal appeals, judicial review proceedings and professional conduct matters on behalf of the Medical Board, Nursing and Midwifery Board and Psychology Board of Australia.  She frequently appears at IBAC and at other compulsory hearings. She has been engaged to conduct 7 substantial investigations (5 unled) within organisations concerning conflicts of interest, bullying and sexual misconduct.

She provides written advice to Government Departments and Statutory Authorities. 

Sarah is on the Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister List; has an Indictable Crime Certificate and teaches at the Victorian Bar Readers Course. She has also taught advocacy on a number of occasions on behalf of the Victorian Bar at the Legal Training Institute, PNG.

Sarah was recommended as a Criminal Law Junior Counsel in Victoria in Doyles Guide in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and Workplace Health & Safety Law Junior Counsel in 2021 and 2022.

Prior to signing the Bar Roll Sarah was Associate to the Honourable Justice Curtain in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

More significant cases include:

• Operation Bredbo, IBAC, public hearings (2022).
• Defending Commonwealth prosecution in the Federal Court of alleged criminal cartel offences, contrary to the Competition and Consumer Act led by Dean Jordan SC (2021).
• Hotel Quarantine Inquiry (2020) appeared for DELWP, led by Jennifer Firkin QC.
• Operation Sandon, IBAC, (2020) public hearings, briefed for interested party(unled).
• DPP v Treasure [2020] VSC 402 (murder, plea)(unled).
• DPP v Sleiman (2020) briefed for the Chief Commissioner of Police.
• Royal Commission into Management of Police Informers (2020), briefed for the Victorian Government Solicitor, led by Stephen O'Meara QC.
• Dempsey (a pseudonym) v The Queen [2019] VSCA 224 (interlocutory appeal, murder, admissibility of tendency and coincidence evidence)(unled).
• Investigation into the conduct of the former Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle (2018) led by Dr Ian Freckleton QC.
• Investigation into potential bullying relating to a National Sport (2017)(unled).
• Operation Lansdowne, IBAC, briefed to act for Jetstar (2017)(unled).
• Operation Dunham, IBAC, briefed to act for a former Secretary of the Department of Education and Training (2017)(unled).
• Yates (a Pseudonym) & Ors v The Queen [2017] VSCA 188 (validity of a controlled operations Authority under s15GK(1)(f) Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)) led by Paul Holdenson QC.
• DPP v Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd (Nos 2 and 4) [2017] VSCA 27 (validity of charges - whether 'necessity' under s21(1)&(2)(e) OHS Act must be particularised) led by Michael Tovey QC.
• DPP(Cth) and DPP v Watson [2016] VSCA 73; (2016) 259 A Crim R 327 (child pornography offences, Director's appeal) led by Paul Holdenson QC.
• DPP V Daing [2016] VSCA 58 (Director's appeal).
• DPP v Daing [2015] VSC 440 (murder, plea)(unled).
• Operation Fiztory, IBAC, [2015] junior counsel assisting the Commissioner, investigation re Public Transport Victoria (2014) led by Ted Woodward QC.
• Lydgate (A Pseudonym) v R (2014) 46 VR 78; (2014) A Crim R 419 (case stated - interpretation of 'care supervision or authority' under s48 and s49 Crimes Act 1958) led by Douglas Trapnell SC.
• DPP v FJL (2014) 41 VR 572 (interlocutory appeal against grant of permanent stay of proceeding)(unled).
• Dragojlovic v DPP (2013) 40 VR 71 (appeal - whether length of trial and presentation of evidence created a real risk that the jury failed to give a verdict according to the evidence) led by Nicholas Robinson QC.
• DPP v FM (2013) 233 A Crim R 83 (interlocutory appeal - interpretation of ‘online offences’ in the Criminal Code) led by Justin Hannebery.
• DPP v Benbrika (Ruling No 3) (2011) 216 A Crim R 96 (terrorism charge, application for permanent stay granted) led by Michael Cahill.
• Joud v R; Benbrika v R; Raad v R; Sayadi v R (2011) 32 VR 400; (2011) 254 FLR 197; (2011) 216 A Crim R 96 (terrorism charge, appeal from refusal to grant permanent stay of proceedings) led by Michael Cahill.