Kartia is an international criminal defence lawyer and advisor working across the firm’s International and Transnational Law Team and White‑Collar Crime Team. She assists partners on complex international and domestic criminal investigations.
Her practice focuses on white‑collar and taxation offences, AML/CFT compliance, extradition and Interpol matters, national security, international crimes, and advisory work relating to foreign state immunity.
Kartia has previously worked with the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials in Cambodia and the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office in Sydney, where she gained experience in international criminal justice and public law litigation.
She holds a Master’s degree in International and Transnational Criminal Law from the University of Amsterdam. While in the Netherlands, Kartia also assisted the University’s War Reparations Centre, providing legal research and advisory support to NGOs on matters of international criminal law and international humanitarian law.
Awards and Industry Recognition
2024
Doyles Guide named Kartia Zappavigna a Rising Star in Criminal Law in NSW and the ACT
Publications
Chambers Global Practice Guide to White Collar Crime – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter (2025)
International Comparative Legal Guide to Corporate Investigations 2026 – Exclusive co-author of Asia-Pacific chapter
International Comparative Legal Guide to Business Crime – Exclusive co-author of Australian chapter (2026)
GIR Asia-Pacific Investigations Review 2026 – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
GIR Know-how: Extradition – Australia chapter – Exclusive co-author of Australian chapter (2025)
Lexology Panoramic Next: Anti-Corruption 2025 – Exclusive co-author of Australian chapter
The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide to Bribery & Corruption – Exclusive co-author of Australian chapter (2025)
International Comparative Legal Guide to Anti-Money Laundering – Exclusive co-author of Australian chapter (2025)
Chambers Global Practice Guide to Anti-Corruption 2025 – Exclusive co-author of Australian: Trends & Developments chapter
Lexology In-Depth: International Investigations – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter (2025)
GIR Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations – Exclusive co-author of Australian chapter (2025)
The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide to White Collar Crime – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
Lexology In-Depth: International Investigations Edition 14 – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide to Bribery & Corruption 2024 – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
International Comparative Legal Guide – Anti Money Laundering 2024 – Exclusive co-author of Expert Analysis and Australia chapters
GIR Know-how – Extradition 2024 – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
Chambers Global Practice Guide to Anti-Corruption 2024 – Exclusive co-author of Australia: Trends & Developments chapter
Lexology In-Depth: Anti-Money Laundering – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
International Investigations Review 13th Edition – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
GIR Know-how: Extradition 2023 – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide to Bribery & Corruption – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter 
Thomson Reuters Practical Law: Business Crime and Investigations in Australia – Exclusive co-author
International Investigations Review 11th Edition – Exclusive co-author of Australia chapter
