Joe practises primarily in criminal law, including trials, and has a particular interest in appellate work.
Joe regularly appears in conviction and sentence appeals in the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal. Notable appeals include Ward v The Queen (2018) 55 VR 307; Grantley v The Queen (2018) 272 A Crim R 340; Luu v The Queen [2018] VSCA 92; McGrath v The Queen (2018) 84 MVR 189; Sayer v The Queen [2018] VSCA 177; Arnautovic v The Queen [2019] VSCA 31; Best v The Queen [2019] VSCA 124; Walker v The Queen [2019] VSCA 137; Lyons v The Queen [2019] VSCA 242; Zaia v The Queen [2020] VSCA 9; Maddocks v The Queen [2020] VSCA 47; Akot v The Queen [2020] VSCA 55; Vu v The Queen [2020] VSCA 59; Hancock v The Queen [2020] VSCA 101; Smith v The Queen [2020] VSCA 165; McMillan v The Queen [2020] VSCA 189; Chester (a pseudonym) v The Queen [2020] VSCA 254); Tran v The Queen [2020] VSCA 284; Bava v The Queen [2021] VSCA 34; Carr (a pseudonym) v The Queen [2021] VSCA 130; Kulafi v The Queen; Nguyen v The Queen [2021] VSCA 369; Dow v The Queen [2022] VSCA 135; Arnautovic v The King [2022] VSCA 280; Roberts v The King [2023] VSCA 92; Scott v The King [2023] VSCA 129; Bamblett v The King [2023] VSCA 184; Matthews (a pseudonym) v The King [2023] VSCA 229; Kane (a pseudonym) v The King [2023] VSCA 305; DPP (Cth) v Knopp (a pseudonym) & Anor [2023] VSCA 315.
Joe is happy to accept briefs to advise on, prepare, and argue appeals to the Court of Appeal or other jurisdictions.
Joe previously worked at the OPP, where he specialised in sentencing law and the conduct of plea hearings.
Joe also practises in the Family Division of the Children’s Court, where he has appeared in many contested hearings, and also appeared in appeals to the County and Supreme Courts (eg Edwards (a pseudonym) v Department of Health and Human Services & Anor [2018] VSC 716; Department of Health and Human Services v Smith (Costs) [2020] VSC 268).
Joe read with Michael Stanton. His senior mentor was Jeremy Rapke QC.
Joe is a member of Brian Bourke Chambers.
Joe is a VLA preferred trial barrister and holds an Indictable Crime Certificate.