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
- R v Wal Wal & anors [2025] QSC 37 (murder)
- Payne v The King [2024] VSCA 273 (murder)
- DPP v Tan [2023] VCC 899 (culpable driving causing death)
- DPP v Payne [2023] VSC 286 (murder)
- Vinaccia v The Queen [2022] VSCA 107 (child homicide)
- DPP v Hayes [2022] VSC 679 (arson causing death)
- DPP v Alimic [2022] VCC 256 (fraud)
- R v Biba [2021] VSC 327 (murder/manslaughter)
- Re Tiba [2021] VSC 515 (violence)
- Guode v The Queen [2020] VSCA 257 (murder/infanticide)
- The Queen v Guode [2020] HCA 8 ; 267 CLR 141 (murder/infanticide)
- DPP v Sidaoui [2019] VSC 225 (fraud)
- DPP v Richardson [2019] VCC 512 (sex)
- Guode v The Queen [2018] VSCA 205 (murder/infanticide)