Joanne Poole

Profile

Joanne’s practise is primarily in criminal trials, appeals and regulatory matters. 

She is regularly briefed to appear in matters involving allegations of complex fraud, serious drug and violent offending (including murder) and indictable occupational health and safety matters. She also has experience in disciplinary investigations and other regulatory proceedings (for example, gambling and liquor related matters).  

Joanne has a national practice, appearing in Victoria and throughout Australia in trials and appeals in both State and Commonwealth matters. She has appeared in criminal trials in Western Australia and the Northern Territory (for example, as junior counsel in the 2022 murder trial of Zachary Rolfe in the Northern Territory). She also appeared as junior counsel in Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd v Hanel (Comcare) in the Court of Appeal in South Australia. 

Joanne is on the Victoria Legal Aid Preferred Trial Counsel List and holds an Indictable Crime Certificate. She is a member of the Victorian Bar Ethics Committee and the Criminal Bar Association Committee.

Joanne began her legal career with Clayton Utz in Melbourne before moving to Asia to work with Herbert Smith, initially in international commercial arbitration before specialising in white collar crime and regulatory matters. With her experience in regulatory matters, Joanne then joined Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong, where she spent several years in a regional (Asia ex-Japan) regulatory and compliance role in the Regulatory Affairs department, focusing in particular on AML and CTF policies. On returning to Melbourne, Joanne worked as a solicitor with Balmer & Associates before joining the Victorian Bar.

Joanne is a member of Crockett Chambers. She read with Justin Hannebery KC. Her senior mentor is Ian Freckleton KC.