Maria Cananzi

Room 1.5

Maria is a highly experienced criminal law specialist who accepts briefs in all areas of criminal law and at all levels. She also accepts briefs in quasi-criminal, administrative law, regulatory matters, inquiries, coronial inquests, and occupational health & safety prosecutions. She has a particular interest in the use of powers of compulsion in investigative settings.

Maria is available to appear in all metropolitan and regional courts in Victoria.

Before coming to the Bar, Maria worked at the Office of the Special Investigator where she assisted the Special Investigator and counsel assisting with complex legal questions arising out of the investigation into allegations of war crimes committed in Afghanistan.

Previously, Maria was a Senior Registry Lawyer at the Court of Appeal Registry where she was responsible for the case management of appeals relating to, and arising out of, the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

From 2019–21, Maria was the Associate to the Honourable Justice Weinberg AO in the Victorian Court of Appeal. In that role, she gained significant experience in criminal appeals. She completed her practical legal training at Stary Norton Halphen, where she worked on terrorism and homicide matters.

Maria read with Andrew Imrie, her senior mentor is Ruth Shann SC.