Ashley brings extensive advocacy and litigation experience in criminal proceedings. Prior to commencing practice, she served as a sworn police officer and police prosecutor with Victoria Police, appearing regularly in the Magistrates’ Court in intervention order matters, plea hearings, bail applications and contested hearings. She also held legal advisory roles with Victoria Police, providing advice on police powers and procedures, policy, disclosure obligations and related legal issues.

Ashley has substantial experience in regulatory prosecutions, having appeared on behalf of a range of government regulators, [*including the Victorian Fisheries Authority, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet]. Her regulatory experience encompasses matters arising under a range of Victorian legislation, including:

• Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic)
• Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1992 (Vic)
• Fisheries Act 1995 (Vic)
• Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (Vic)
• Major Events Act 2009 (Vic)
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (Vic)
• Wildlife Act 1975 (Vic)
• Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic)

Ashley is a native Mandarin speaker and a NAATI-certified provisional interpreter in Mandarin. Drawing on her own experience navigating professional and legal environments across languages and cultures, she has a particular appreciation of the challenges that members of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities may encounter when navigating the legal system. She welcomes the opportunity to assist and advocate for CALD clients.

Ashley is reading with Jane Warren and her senior mentor is Elizabeth Ruddle KC.