Veronika Drago

Contact

Areas of Practice

  • Criminal Law
  • Appellate (criminal law)
  • Inquests
  • Inquests, Inquiries, Tribunals & Commissions
  • Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Public & Administrative Law

Professional History & Expertise

Veronika is a criminal defence barrister who was called to the Bar in 2018. She has appeared in all jurisdictions, including the High Court.  Her practice is predominantly a trial and appellate one.

She has expertise in cases involving homicides and violence, drugs and sex offences. She has a keen interest in matters involving complex expert evidence.

After completing her undergraduate degree at Monash University (Melbourne, Victoria), she began immediately working as a solicitor advocate in criminal defence at Doogue & George (then Doogue & O’Brien). Veronika relocated to remote north-west Queensland and continued her work as a solicitor advocate at the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS), before returning to private practice and then, ultimately, the Bar.

Veronika is committed to matters concerning police accountability, human rights, and First Nations people. She has volunteered extensively with legal services and local charities/organisations. She also has a dedicated pro bono practice.

Qualifications & Admissions

  • Bachelor of Laws, Monash University 2013
  • Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, ANU  2013
  • Admitted to practice 2013
  • Signed Bar Roll 2018

Professional Memberships

  • Queensland Bar Association
  • Victorian Bar Association
  • Sunshine Coast Law Association
  • Criminal Bar Association (Melbourne)

Notable Published Cases

Re Laverick [2023] VSC 303 (bail application)
DPP v Tan [2023] VCC 899 (culpable driving sentence)
DPP v Payne [2023] VSC 286 (murder sentence)
DPP v Geddes [2023] VCC 1000 (significant drugs sentence)
Vinaccia v The Queen [2022] VSCA 107 (child homicide appeal)
DPP v Hayes [2022] VSC 679 (arson causing death sentence)
DPP v Alimic [2022] VCC 256 (acquittal – long fraud trial)
R v Biba [2021] VSC 327 (manslaughter sentence)
Re Tiba [2021] VSC 515 (shooting sentence)
Guode v The Queen [2020] VSCA 257 (murder/infanticide appeal)
The Queen v Guode [2020] HCA 8; 267 CLR 141 (murder/infanticide appeal)
DPP v Sidaoui [2019] VSC 225 ($17m fraud sentence)
DPP v Richardson [2019] VCC 512 (multi-complainant long trial/sentence)
Guode v The Queen [2018] VSCA 205 (murder/infanticide appeal)