Carolina was called to the Bar in 2018 and maintains a practice in criminal and family law. She has appeared unled at trial and hearing level in a broad range of jurisdictions including the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Supreme, District, Local and Children’s Courts of New South Wales, as well as NCAT (Guardianship Division) and the Mental Health Review Tribunal.
Carolina’s practice also extends to international jurisdictions, including the Pacific Islands. She was admitted to the Bar in Vanuatu in 2023 and appeared in the Court of Appeal of Vanuatu.
She acts for a broad range of private clients as well as government agencies, such as Legal Aid NSW and the Crown Solicitors Office NSW. Carolina has gained nearly two decades of experience in criminal law and has considerable experience appearing in family law matters relating to parenting and property matters. The intersection between these two disciplines uniquely places her to provide effective advice and representation to clients in complex parenting matters where criminal allegations are made, or where issues of risk are involved.
She has expertise in advocating for and in domestic violence related matters, including private apprehended domestic violence orders in the Local Court, as well as conviction appeals to the District Court of NSW. Carolina also appears in non publication and suppression order matters.
Carolina is a strong proponent of diversity and is committed to advocating for change in the profession, particularly in the areas of inclusion, diversity and supporting women in the law. She was born in Santiago, Chile and regularly mentor up and coming law students and lawyers through various mentoring programs.
Prior to being called to the Bar, she practised as a criminal Legal Aid lawyer for a decade and worked as an Associate to His Honour Judge Williams of the District Court of NSW. Her Masters in International Relations (International Human Rights Law) culminated in an internship at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.
She has lectured extensively in criminal law, children and the law, human rights law and trial practice and procedure at various universities and is an advocacy instructor at the College of Law. In 2023 she completed the Pathways to Politics Program for Women at the University of New South Wales.