Carmella has practised law in Victoria for over 20 years.
Carmella completed her Bachelor of Laws Degree(1986) and Bachelor of Arts Degree (1984) at Monash University and was admitted to practice Law in 1988 after completing her articles at the Melbourne Law firm Sackville Wilks and Co.
In 1989 Carmella was called to the Bar and read with Henry Jolson QC and signed the Victoria Bar Roll in May 1989.
Carmella gained experience in both the civil and criminal jurisdictions appearing in most courts and tribunals throughout Victoria.
In recent years Carmella has developed a practice in Family Law and she conducts trials involving property and complex children's matters.
Carmella is a certified mediator and conducts mediations in her chambers and also travels throughout Victoria and Australia to conduct mediation's.
Carmella is a skilled negotiator and where possible she will negotiate a settlement for client's. If negotiation is not possible then Carmella uses her extensive knowledge and experience to act assertively on behalf of clients in Court.
Carmella regularly appears as a speaker at seminars for professional education and Court training for professionals involved in the Court process.
Carmella serves on a number of professional committees for the Victorian Bar and is currently serving on:
- Victoria Bar News Committee
- Equal Opportunity Committee
- Foley's Barrister's Clerk List Committee.
Recent Services provide by Carmella include the following:
- Providing legal advice on the implications of separation.
- Representing client's in Court proceedings under the Family Law Act relating to divorce, property settlement, maintenance and parenting orders.
- Representing client's in matters involving children, division of farming properties and spousal maintenance.
- Representing client's in a case involving the transfer of jurisdiction to overseas Court.
- Representing client's in cases involving serious allegations of abuse.
- Representing client's in cases involving splitting of superannuation.
- Representing client's in cases involving serious mental health issues.
- Representing client's in complex Guardianship matters.
- Representing client's in overseas and interstate relocation cases.
- Representing client's in cases involving company,partnership and trust structures
- Representing client's in name changing cases.
- Advising clients and representing them in defacto law proceedings in both the County Court and the Supreme Court under the Property Law Act.
- Representing parties in Intervention order proceedings in both the Magistrates Court and appeals to the County Court.
- Representing Government Departments and non government organisations in matters involving children.
- Representing Third party interests in Court proceedings.
- Preparing agreements between separated couples and those entering into marriage or defacto relationships.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws- Monash University 1986
Bachelor of Arts (Major in Politics) - Monash University 1984
Mediation Certificate - Bond University 1996.
Accredited Mediator under the Australian Mediator Accrediation System
Professional Memberships:
- The Victorian Bar Association
- The Law Institute of Victoria
- The Victorian Women's Barrister's Association
- The Victorian Women Lawyers Association
- The Family Law Barrister's Association
- The Australian Family Lawyers Association
Pro Bono Assistance
- PILCH
- Women's Legal Services
Past Court Appearances:
The High Court of Australia
- Appeal from The Family Court of Australia
The Family Court of Australia
- Appeals
- Trial's at first instance
The Federal Magistrates Court Service
- Family Law Applications
- Enforcement proceedings
- Migration Judicial Review
- Banktuptcy
The Supreme Court of Victoria - Commercial matters
- Appeals on questions of Law from the Magistrates' Court
- Interlocutory Applications
- Appeals from the Children's Court
- Wills and Probate
- De Facto property law cases
- Mediation, Conciliation Conferences and Arbitrations
The County Court of Victoria - Appeals from the Magistrates Court on conviction and sentencing
- Appeals from Intervention orders made in the Magistrates' Court
- Appeals from the Children's Court
- De facto property law cases
- Adoption
- Commercial Interlocutory and final hearings
The Magistrates' Court of Victoria - Civil claims interlocutory and final hearings, enforcement proceedings
- Contested Criminal Law proceedings and contest mentions
- Criminal Law pleas
- Contested Crimes Compensation applications
- Intervention Order contested hearings
- Coronial Inquests
The Children's Court of Victoria - Contested protection application hearings
- Contested criminal law hearings
- Intervention order hearings
- Prosecuting on behalf of the Department of Human Services
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Guardianship and Administration
- Planning and Residential Tenancy matters
- Civil Claims
- Appeals from Crimes Compensation Tribunal
Tribunals and Disciplinary Boards - Liquor licensing
- Immigration
- Mental Health
- Firearms
- Transport and Accident