Barrister Information

Profile

Alice is an accomplished advocate with extensive experience in criminal and public law. She accepts briefs to defend and prosecute in both criminal and regulatory matters. She also appears in family law, government matters and inquests & inquiries.

Before joining the Bar, Alice held senior legal roles and managed teams, including as Principal Solicitor at both the Office of Public Prosecutions and the Environment Protection Authority. She has expertise in disclosure obligations, criminal prosecutions, and complex litigation. From 2021 to 2023, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, she led the implementation of recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

Alice has broad government experience beyond these roles. She was among the first Criminal Division lawyers at the County Court of Victoria and worked in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Branch of the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office. Prior to that, she advised Victoria Police on parole-related matters and served as a specialist family violence lawyer.

Alice holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and a Master of Laws (Dispute Resolution), with a focus on regulatory frameworks, high-conflict management, and advocacy. During her studies, she received subject prizes for the top result in both Family Law and in Civil Procedure. She has been an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law since 2020.

Alice is also engaged in legal education as an Associate Teaching Fellow at Deakin Law School and an instructor at Leo Cussen Centre for Law.

She is available to accept briefs across Victoria.

Alice is reading with Astrid Haban-Beer and her senior mentor is Neill Hutton SC.

Alice is an accomplished advocate with extensive experience in criminal and public law. She accepts briefs to defend and prosecute in both criminal and regulatory matters. She also appears in family law, government matters and inquests & inquiries.

Before joining the Bar, Alice held senior legal roles and managed teams, including as Principal Solicitor at both the Office of Public Prosecutions and the Environment Protection Authority. She has expertise in disclosure obligations, criminal prosecutions, and complex litigation. From 2021 to 2023, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, she led the implementation of recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

Alice has broad government experience beyond these roles. She was among the first Criminal Division lawyers at the County Court of Victoria and worked in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Branch of the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office. Prior to that, she advised Victoria Police on parole-related matters and served as a specialist family violence lawyer.

Alice holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and a Master of Laws (Dispute Resolution), with a focus on regulatory frameworks, high-conflict management, and advocacy. During her studies, she received subject prizes for the top result in both Family Law and in Civil Procedure. She has been an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law since 2020.

Alice is also regularly engaged in legal education as an Associate Teaching Fellow at Deakin Law School and at Leo Cussen Centre for Law.

She is available to accept briefs regionally and interstate.

Alice is reading with Astrid Haban-Beer and her senior mentor is Neill Hutton SC.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.

Admitted

11 Dec 2013

Victorian Bar

10 Apr 2025

Areas of Expertise

    Alternative Dispute Resolution

    Corporations Law 1 Areas

    • ASIC investigations and Prosecutions

    Family Law and Guardianship 1 Areas

    • Care and Protection

    Criminal 4 Areas

    • Mental Illness
    • Traffic
    • Victims of Crime
    • Work Health and Safety - Criminal

    Appellate 1 Areas

    • Criminal Appeals

    Public Administrative 1 Areas

    • Disciplinary Proceedings

    Environment and Planning 1 Areas

    • Local Government

    Inquests Inquiries

To Engage With Alice Cooney
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