Joanna has a broad commercial and administrative law practice, with particular expertise in contract and construction disputes as well as regulatory matters. She has significant experience appearing in trials and interlocutory applications in VCAT and the Supreme Court of Victoria (both led and unled), and can add real value in matters turning primarily on expert evidence. Joanna’s practice also involves a large portion of advice-based work, particularly in the context of regulatory and professional negligence matters. She is often asked to advise on the exercise of legislative powers, and is especially interested in briefs involving complex issues of statutory interpretation.

Before coming to the Bar, Joanna was an Associate to the Hon Justice Garde AO RFD and a Trial Division Researcher at the Supreme Court of Victoria. She has also worked as a solicitor with the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, advising and appearing for the Board in proceedings in the Supreme Court and Magistrates’ Court.

Joanna completed a Master of Laws at Cambridge University, focusing on international commercial litigation and graduating with a commercial designation. She also holds undergraduate degrees in Arts and Law (with First Class Honours) from Monash University.

Joanna read with Lisa Hannon QC and her senior mentor was Timothy McEvoy QC (as his Honour then was).

Some matters in which Joanna has been briefed since coming to the Bar include:

Commercial Law

– Liu & Anor v Resi Ventures Leakes Pty Ltd & Ors (Supreme Court of Victoria): Acted for the plaintiffs in a property dispute involving allegations of repudiation of contract, estoppel and misleading/deceptive conduct; settled prior to trial (led by W G Muddle SC)

– In the matter of Pulitano Investments Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of Victoria): Acted for the plaintiffs in oppression proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria, involving allegations of breach of directors’ and fiduciary duties; settled during trial (led by N Magee QC and C Carrigan)

– Boicos & Anor v Hatzakortzian & Anor (Supreme Court of Victoria): Acted for the plaintiffs in a dispute regarding the purchase of shares; settled prior to trial (unled)

– Rocair Investments Pty Ltd v Australian Pilot Training Alliance Pty Ltd (Magistrates’ Court of Victoria): Acted for the plaintiff in a contract dispute regarding the commercial lease of an aircraft, in which the plaintiff was successful at trial (unled)

– Joanna has also appeared unled in various interlocutory applications in the County Court in matters that did not proceed to trial, including:

• applications for freezing orders;
• summary judgment applications; and
• security for costs applications.

Building and Construction Law

– V601 Developments Pty Ltd v Probuild Construtions (Aust) Pty Ltd [2021] VSC 849: Acted for the developer (at first instance and on appeal) in a commercial construction dispute dealing with issues including breaches of contract, defective works and critical path analysis, 3-week trial at first instance (led by N Magee QC and P Baker)

– Smith & Anor v Impressive Homes & Developments Pty Ltd (VCAT): Acting for the developer in a domestic building dispute involving defect allegations, 6-day trial; decision pending (unled)

– Joanna has also acted on behalf of both owners and builders in various domestic building disputes that were settled before trial.

Administrative Law

– PQR v Sundram [2020] TASSC 21; PQR v Sundram [2020] TASFC 10: Acted for the appellant in proceedings turning on the issue of legislative interpretation (led by N Magee QC)

– BTQ17 & Ors v Minister for Immigration & Anor [2019] FCCA 2414: Acted for the applicant on judicial review of a decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (unled)

– Victorian Legal Services Board v McCulloch (Supreme Court of Victoria): Acted for the Victorian Legal Services Board in a statutory injunction application; settled prior to final hearing (led by O P Holdenson QC)

– Joanna has also appeared on behalf of clients with mental health issues in guardianship & administration proceedings and in matters involving compulsory treatment orders.