Derek Schrapel
Lawyer & Mentor
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Science
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Criminology)
Australian Legal Practitioner
At Leo Cussen
Derek is a full-time Mentor in the face-to-face Practical Legal Training course. He facilitates the foundation skills modules which establish a guiding framework for the tasks undertaken by trainees throughout the PLT course and provides support and mentorship for students in relation to their practice area – specific studies.
Before Leo Cussen
Derek was admitted to the legal profession in Victoria in 2003. Following a period working with two general practice firms in the Melbourne metropolitan area, he completed postgraduate studies in criminology in order to realign his legal career toward practicing in criminal law.
Derek has acquired extensive experience in criminal law and advocacy over the course of his career to date, preparing, instructing and appearing in a wide variety of matters for both State Government and private firms in the summary, indictable and appellate criminal jurisdictions of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, County Court of Victoria, and the Victorian Court of Appeal. He has also regularly prepared and appeared in matters in the Children’s Court of Victoria within its Criminal Division and Family Division for child clients, parents and other family members.
Memberships
Derek is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria.
Achievements/Special Interests
Derek is a qualified project manager who spent a portion of his career in project management training & educational design, which is where he developed his fervour for process improvement. He also worked for a legal membership body designing and developing legal CPD courses for delivery to members of the Victorian legal profession.
Derek enjoys travelling the world and discovering new destinations but is also just as satisfied with an evening at home with a good book and a plate of something tasty to enjoy.
