Christina Gómez Vázquez

Christina Gómez Vázquez (pronounced “Goh-mez Vass-kez”) practices in criminal law and related jurisdictions including intervention order proceedings and regulatory matters.

Christina accepts briefs to advise and appear in regulatory and disciplinary matters, coronial investigations and inquests, and other investigative matters and inquiries such as IBAC and the OCE. Consistent with her longstanding medico-legal interest, she has particular experience in disciplinary proceedings at VCAT involving healthcare professionals brought by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Christina has extensive defence experience in summary and indictable crime matters, having appeared in all Victorian criminal courts, in bail applications, complex pleas, contested hearings, contested committals, case assessment hearings, case conferences, contravention of supervision orders, trials and appeals. She has a particular concurrent interest and experience in mental health and civil justice, regularly accepting briefs to appear in proceedings under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 and Serious Offender Supervision Order proceedings pursuant to the Serious Offenders Act 2018 . Christina has appeared unled in a consent mental impairment defence trial and is working to develop her criminal defence jury trial practice, welcoming opportunities to appear as junior counsel. 

Before being called to the Bar, Christina practised as a solicitor advocate for the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA in the west Kimberley region and then spent almost a decade at Victoria Legal Aid, where she held roles in the Advocacy and Indictable Crime teams, and as an Associate Public Defender in VLA Chambers. She also worked as a Criminal Division Lawyer at the County Court of Victoria managing complex criminal trials across the state, and as a Principal Solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions in the Policy and Specialised Legal Division where she advised the Director about decisions to prosecute in sensitive matters including extradition, homicide and culpable driving matters, and Professional Standards referrals from Victoria Police. 

Christina proudly participates in regular Cultural Awareness Training sessions to inform and grow her knowledge and understanding of systemic issues faced by our First Nations people, particularly within the criminal justice system.

Christina read with Diana Price, and her senior mentor is Michael Stanton SC.