Alexandra Bova
Sydney
Summary
Dedicated and ambitious Criminal Lawyer seeking to advance my skills and experience in conducting complex and sensitive criminal prosecutions on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Solicitor (Level 2)
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
01.2022 - Current
- Since January 2022 I have been employed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as a level 2 solicitor.
- Throughout this time I have been a member of a Sydney trial group (group 2) and have managed a diverse practice of complex and sensitive criminal prosecutions.
- My committal practice involves multiple matters involving death and currently includes a co-accused murder prosecution which is now before the Supreme Court. My role as a committal lawyer of complex and sensitive matters requires me to provide high level legal advice under strict time pressures. I am in regular contact with both internal and external stakeholders including senior members of the NSW Police force and next of kin who have tragically lost their loved ones.
- I regularly appear as advocate for the Director in complex matters before the Local, District and Supreme Court. These appearances include summary hearings, appeals, release applications, sentence hearings and mental health applications. I have appeared in Supreme Court bail lists on multiple occasions and regularly appear in the EAGP list at the Downing Centre Local Court.
- As one of the most senior level 2 solicitors in Group 2, I take great pride in mentoring the junior solicitors in my team. Throughout 2024, I acted as Managing Solicitor for multiple days to assist Group 2 in our Manager's absence.
Solicitor (Level 1)
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
02.2020 - 01.2022
- From February 2020 to January 2022, I was employed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as a level 1 solicitor. In this role I managed both a busy committal practice as well as a practice of matters that were listed for trial.
- As a level 1 solicitor, I gained advocacy experience by appearing on behalf of the Crown in sentence proceedings, bail applications, call ups and other short matters in both the District and Local Courts.
- As part of my committal practice, I was responsible for screening allocated Police briefs, providing advice about evidence and charges and negotiating pleas of guilty in appropriate cases.
- As part of my trial practice, I was responsible for preparing contested matters for trial. This preparation included communicating effectively with all stakeholders, including Police, complainants, witnesses, defence lawyers and the court. I subsequently instructed Counsel during the trial and resulting sentence proceedings should a guilty verdict be returned.
- During my level 1 role, I maintained up to date knowledge of all relevant law and procedures, as well as the Office's Prosecution Guidelines and Delegations and the NSW Charter of Victim's Rights.
Legal Clerk
Office Of The Director Of Public Prosecutions
09.2018 - 02.2020
- Prior to obtaining my level 1 role I completed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution's Legal Development Program (LDP). During this program I completed two rotations, spending 6 months in the Office's short matters group before moving to a trial practice.
- In short matters, my role as an LDP included preparing Supreme Court Bail Applications as well as short matters in the District Court which included both severity and convictions appeals, bail applications and other short matters.
- My time in short matters also afforded me the opportunity to gain advocacy experience, as I regularly appeared in both Supreme Court bail call over and District Court call over and return of subpoena lists. I also gained valuable advocacy experience by appearing in less complex severity appeals.
- My second rotation as an LDP was in Group 2, which required me to manage a busy practice of trial matters in the District Court. My day to day tasks included liaising with the OIC of each of my matters to ensure all requisitions have been received, organising and conducting conferences with witnesses and defence lawyers and preparing the matters for trial.
Law Clerk
WMD Law
11.2016 - Current
- Recipient of the 2016 WMD Law Work Integrated Learning Scholarship, an award which has allowed me to gain practical experience whilst completing my University studies.
- My role as a Law Clerk at WMD allowed me to work closely with, and learn directly from, both the Principal Directors and Senior Solicitors of the firm.
- My day-to-day work included: conducting legal research, liaising with Counsel, taking instructions from client's, drafting and reviewing various documents including court notices, client letters and letters to opposing lawyers.
Administration Clerk
Healthe Care Australia
06.2013 - Current
- Non-clinical after hours in charge.
- Responded to patients and visitors effectively by identifying needs, approaching complex situations and resolving problems to maximize business efficiency.
- Excelled in completing set tasks while under the pressure of interacting and fulfilling the requests of the general public.
- Handled legal requests on behalf of the Health Information Services department. These requests required complete confidentiality and enabled me to utilise my legal knowledge.
Law Clerk
Sutherland Shire Council
06.2016 - 08.2016
- Completed my legal placement under the guidance and supervision of Sutherland Shire Council's General Counsel Elizabeth Espinosa.
- Assisted Ms Espinosa with preparing matters to be heard in Sutherland Local Court. This assistance included preparing briefs, writing letters and liaising with clients and external solicitors.
- Worked closely with the local Council's Principle Environmental Lawyer, attending meetings, site visits and mediations held in the Land and Environment Court.
Education
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice -
The College of Law
St Leonards, NSW, Australia2018
Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction) - Finance
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW, Australia2017
International Litigation and Arbitration Short Course -
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI, USA2017
Skills
- Proven research skills
- Excellent written and verbal communicator
- Analytical thinker
- Motivated
- Hard working
- Organised
Additional Information
- Recipient of the St George Sutherland Regional Law Society's 2016 Cameron O'Brien Memorial Bursary. The award was presented by His honour Judge O'Brien in recognition of my academic merit and community contribution.
Certification
8 February 2019: Admitted to practice as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW.
Timeline
Solicitor (Level 2)
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
01.2022 - Current
Solicitor (Level 1)
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
02.2020 - 01.2022
Legal Clerk
Office Of The Director Of Public Prosecutions
09.2018 - 02.2020
Law Clerk
WMD Law
11.2016 - Current
Law Clerk
Sutherland Shire Council
06.2016 - 08.2016
Administration Clerk
Healthe Care Australia
06.2013 - Current
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice -
The College of Law
Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction) - Finance
University of Wollongong
International Litigation and Arbitration Short Course -
Michigan State University
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