Sarah worked as a Judge’s Associate and for Legal Aid Queensland and the Crime and Corruption Commission, before joining Gilshenan & Luton in 2013.  She represents both private clients and regulatory agencies, in defence and prosecution work.

In the criminal defence arena, Sarah handles a wide variety of matters including:

• drug related offences;
• traffic offences;
• domestic violence; and
• assault offences (including offences of violence and sexual assaults).

She also regularly acts for clients facing disciplinary allegations and charges relating to their employment. In that regard, Sarah has extensive experience acting for lawyers, police officers, and medical professionals.

Sarah has had articles published on a variety of topics including coercive hearings and compulsive interviews, and summary complaints and particulars. She has also presented to the legal profession on various topics including the intersection between criminal law and domestic violence.

Sarah is a member of the Queensland Law Society’s Occupational Discipline Law Committee. That committee advises the Society in relation to legislative and policy issues that arise in the discipline law context. Being on this committee places her in good stead to assist clients facing disciplinary proceedings.

Sarah also holds the position of Chair of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland Inc (WLAQ) Criminal Lawyers Sub-Committee, allowing her to pursue her interest in advocating for and supporting female practitioners in the criminal law. As a committee member of the WLAQ, Sarah is able to work closely with other criminal lawyers and the Association, to achieve this.