- Position:
- Assistant Victorian Government Solicitor
- Qualification:
- LLB, BA
- Area of law:
- Policing and emergency management, Interpretation and development of legislation, Administrative decision making and review
Carol joined the VGSO in 2018, where she leads the Police Advisory Branch. The Police Advisory Branch is comprised of 26 lawyers and support staff dedicated exclusively to advising Victoria Police on a broad range of legal issues, including claims of public interest immunity, administrative law, statutory interpretation, police powers and criminal law and procedure. Carol is currently leading a team of solicitors and barristers representing the Chief Commissioner of Police in the Court of Appeal where convictions are being challenged as a result of the use of Nicola Gobbo as a police informer.
Carol is an experienced lawyer and leader across the public sector. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1994.
Carol commenced her career at the Office of Public Prosecutions where she practised in the General Prosecutions and Drugs branches. At the Office of Public Prosecutions, Carol handled matters including homicides, serious sexual offences and commercial quantity drug trafficking.
Carol has also spent time practising in the private sector as a Partner in a boutique city firm where she worked in a broad range of areas including criminal law, wills and estate, debt recovery, family law and conveyancing.
Before joining the VGSO, Carol spent several years working in criminal law with Victoria Police, firstly as a Specialist Resources Lawyer within Crime Command, where she worked on complex matters including fraud, perjury, criminal negligence and misconduct in public office. During this time she further solidified her reputation as a trusted legal adviser. She also obtained her Graduate Certificate in Applied Management (Police and Emergency Services) from the Australian Institute of Police Management. Carol then took on the role of Deputy Director of the Legal Services Department at Victoria Police, where she continued to work on sensitive, high profile and complex cases, while supervising and mentoring junior solicitors and managing a team of 55 lawyers.
Phone: 03 9063 7713
Mobile: 0400 369 238
Email: carol.orfanos@vgso.vic.gov.au
LinkedIn: Carol Orfanos
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