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 criminal matters in the County Court, Magistrates’ Court and Children’s Court jurisdictions, including drug offences, matters of violence and sexual offences.
Ashlea commenced her career as criminal defence lawyer at a private firm in Western NSW. She gained significant advocacy experience, appearing daily for clients in the Local, Children’s and District Courts, in bail applications, summary contest hearings, plea and sentence proceedings, and appeals. Ashlea was appointed to 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 (OPP), 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 OPP. Ashlea has also 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 sexual offending, serious violence, drug trafficking and fraud.
Ashlea will accept briefs in criminal and quasi-criminal matters including intervention orders, licencing appeals, Occupational Health & Safety prosecutions, Serious Offender applications, Royal Commissions, coronial inquests, inquiries, disciplinary, regulatory and tribunal cases.
During her studies, Ashlea studied abroad at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, with a focus on Central European social, economic, political and cultural transformation. Prior to commencing her studies in law, Ashlea completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, where she graduated with Honours and majored in Criminology, with a particular interest in Indigenous justice.
Ashlea is reading with Diana Price and her Senior Mentor is Chris Carr SC.
Outside of work, Ashlea enjoys distance running, cycling, travelling, and spending time at the beach with her kelpie dog.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
