Susanna comes to the Bar with extensive advocacy experience in indictable crime.
After moving to Melbourne from New Zealand in 2013, Susanna gained extensive experience in summary and indictable crime as a solicitor advocate with Doogue + George (previously Doogue O’Brien George). She managed a busy practice across a range of matters including fraud, sex offences, drug importation and homicides. In addition, Susanna appeared frequently in the Children’s, Magistrates’, and County Courts and occasionally the Supreme Court in bail applications, contested committals, contest hearings, and pleas. Susanna prepared many matters for trial as instructing solicitor.
Prior to moving to Melbourne, Susanna was a solicitor advocate in Auckland, New Zealand for three and half years, during which time she ran jury trials as both junior counsel and sole counsel. She also gained experience in regulatory matters involving the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Real Estate Authority.
Susanna also practised as a solicitor advocate at the Office of Public Prosecutions. She appeared in the Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts in plea hearings, contested committals, appeals against sentence, bail applications, and contraventions. She appeared regularly in the County Koori Court.
Between 2014 and 2017, Susanna was on the management board of Northern Community Legal Centre. In 2016 and 2017, Susanna served as President. This involvement combined Susanna’s interest in governance and commitment to community service.
Since coming to the bar, Susanna has been briefed in:
- State and Federal criminal proceedings including trials in the County Court (prosecution and defence);
- Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants;
- Occupational health and safety matters;
- Industrial relations matters; and
- Regulatory proceedings.
Susanna accepts briefs in criminal law, regulatory proceedings, industrial relations and employment law, inquests, and public law.
Susanna read with Georgina Coghlan SC and her senior mentor was Jenny Firkin QC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
