Cara is an experienced advocate, with an extensive practice in criminal law and Coronial Inquests. Her practice is broad and includes homicides, drug trafficking/importation, sexual offences, fraud, occupational health and safety, proceeds of crime and property offences.
Cara is regularly briefed to defend clients in criminal matters. Her focus is ensuring the best outcome for the client, and is experienced at strategising with that goal in mind. Her significant experience both prosecuting and defending places Cara in an ideal position to assist clients in navigating the best outcome for their particular case.
Cara is regularly briefed to prosecute significant and complex cases in the Supreme Court and County Courts (both led and unled). She has prosecuted for multiple agencies, including the DPP, CDPP, WorkSafe, various city councils and other statutory agencies.
Cara is experienced in the Coronial jurisdiction, having appeared numerous times as Counsel Assisting, and for various interested parties. Cara’s experience as a criminal advocate makes her particularly adept at examining and cross examining witnesses in the Coronial jurisdiction.
Cara has experience both prosecuting and defending in occupational health and safety matters.
Cara also has experience in Mental Impairment and Fitness to be Tried matters
Outside of the court room, Cara is experienced in providing complex written advice on both evidentiary and procedural issues.
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 and advising in the investigation of atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime.
Cara has undertaken cultural awareness training provided by Kellawan Indigenous Consultants.
Cara holds an Indictable Crime Certificate and is a member of the Victorian Legal Aid Preferred Trial Counsel List.
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 and speaks German.
