Cara practises predominantly in criminal and quasi-criminal matters. She is an experienced criminal advocate, with particular knowledge of indictable crime. Cara’s regular practice is appearance work in the County Court and Magistrates Court, in all types of hearings, including jury trials, contested hearings, pleas, appeals, committals and bail applications.
Cara has undertaken cultural awareness training provided by Kellawan Indigenous Consultants for persons who are members of Aboriginal communities.
Cara is experienced in providing complex written advice on both evidentiary and procedural issues.
Cara also has experience in areas of occupational health and safety, inquests and proceeds of crime.
Prior to joining the Bar, Cara worked for four years as a criminal solicitor and advocate, where she managed a large file load of complex indictable criminal cases. She was responsible for running trials, committals and pleas, in both Melbourne and in regional Victoria. She also did regular appearance work in both the Magistrates Court and County Court in a variety of hearings including pleas, bail applications, County Court appeals and committal mentions.
In 2014 Cara worked for the International Co-Investigating Judge at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, assisting in the investigation of alleged atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime.
Cara accepts briefs for matters heard in regional Victoria. She also practises in intervention order matters.
Cara read with Colin Mandy SC and her senior mentors were Peter Kidd SC (as he then was) and Suzanne McNicol QC.
Cara also has a Bachelor of International Relations from La Trobe University.
