Our Supporters

WLSV is funded by the Indigenous Justice and Legal Assistance Division, Attorney General’s Department, Canberra and Victoria Legal Aid. We have also received project funding this financial year from the Victorian Legal Services Board, Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and Department of Justice & Regulation.

WLSV relies on volunteers, pro bono lawyers, donations and in-kind support to extend and enhance its services beyond its funded capacity. Thank you to the following people and organisations which have supported WLSV and its clients this year.

Administrative support

A very special thank you to Kathy Fawcett who has provided administration support to WLSV for over 15 years.

Student placements

As part of their university degree law students complete a 12-20 day placement at WLSV.  The students assist our lawyers with casework, research, and duty lawyer work at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

  • Chiara Nicolaci
  • Katie Cullen
  • Sonia Campanaro
  • Josephine Mirarchi
  • Shevaun Grant
  • Diana Odeesh
  • Pinar Tat
  • Joely Wilkinson-Hayes
  • Helen Kesarios

  • Kate Eastaugh
  • Thanh Lam
  • Nikita Goodwill
  • Iqra Iftikhar

Student volunteers

Student volunteers assist our lawyers with casework, research, duty lawyer work at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and general administration duties.

  • Mia Mignon Chong
  • Sophie Lawes
  • Deanna Velakoulis
  • Madeleine Tope
  • Grace Shaw
  • Jessie Chibber
  • Rebecca Halpin
  • Linda Chan
  • Veronica Webb
  • Shivaanya Kanapathy
  • Yue (Sue) Xia
  • Allana Smith
  • Taryn Francis
  • Millie Clayton
  • Jessica Buck
  • Lissa Thomas
  • Madeleine Ulbrick
  • Sarah McDonell
  • Libby Jedwab
  • Alberta Gray
  • Kiri Joyce
  • Alexandra Partington
  • Daisy-May Carty Cowling
  • Shana Gupta
  • Dorna Pakzamir
  • Michelle Lay
  • Susan Crowe
  • Natalie Ngo

Night phone volunteers

Volunteer lawyers holding a practicing certificate or members of the Bar assist women by providing legal information, advice and referrals to callers on our Legal Advice Line.

  • Adrianne Walters
  • Akane Kanai
  • Alice Smith
  • Amelia Beech
  • Amy Hall
  • Bonnie Phillips
  • Ca Dao Bui
  • Cassandra Castillo
  • Catherine Hemingway
  • Celia Laragy
  • Charley Brumby-Rendell
  • Chiara Bryan
  • Claire Walczak
  • Claudia Calandra
  • Deborah Randa
  • Elisa Carayannis
  • Elizabeth Hall
  • Tanya Lavan
  • Ella Thompson
  • Emeline Gaske
  • Emma Heggie
  • Emmalaura Messer
  • Erin Richardson
  • Felicity Francis
  • Jane Bentley
  • Jennifer Lindstrom
  • Jessica Black
  • Jessica Dawson-Field
  • Jillian Williams
  • Joni Burns
  • Julie Andritso
  • Katie-Elouise White-Spier
  • Kimberley Hards
  • Laura Toll
  • Loren Gulliver
  • Melanie Molloy
  • Meribah Rose
  • Miranda Brookes
  • Natalie Fifield
  • Natalie Goharpey
  • Natalie Plumridge
  • Natalie Wellard
  • Nina Taylor
  • Pamela Khoo
  • Phoebe Blank
  • Rachael Ellerton
  • Sarah Bright
  • Sarah Pullan
  • Selina Nivelle
  • Sharnee Moore
  • Sue McLellan
  • Susan Hamilton-Green

Legal assistance

The following barristers and solicitors advised or represented WLSV clients pro bono or on a reduced fee basis:

  • Geoffrey Dickson QC
  • Tim North SC
  • Mary Agresta
  • Hilary Bonney
  • Bridgette Kildea
  • Sarah Mansfield
  • Chris Nehmy
  • Samantha Renwich
  • Patricia byrnes
  • Paul Glass
  • Holly Renwick
  • Robin Smith

  • Marita Ham
  • Michael Gregurek
  • Patricia Byrne
  • Anna Parker
  • Anne O’Connell
  • Ekbol Taghdir

Major pro bono project partners

The following firms provide pro bono support and work collaboratively with WLSV on major projects:

  • Lander & Rogers
  • Colin Biggers & Paisley
  • Gadens
  • Holding Redlich
  • Herbert Smith Freehills
  • Baker & McKenzie

In-kind support and donations

The following organisations and people have assisted WLSV this year with pro bono advice, referrals, donations and in-kind contributions:

  • Katherine Alsop
  • Tristan Brumby-Rendell
  • Catherine Burke
  • Charley Brumby-Rendell
  • Chloe Forder
  • Justitia
  • King & Wood Mallesons
  • Melbourne Family Relationship Centre
  • Emily Wrigglesworth
  • Professor Belinda Fehlberg, Melbourne Law School
  • Dr Chris Atmore, Federation of Com munity Legal Centres
  • Dr Lixia Qu, Australian Institute of Family Studies
  • Deakin University
  • Supervising Family Violence Magistrate Kate Hawkins
  • Magistrate Pauline Spencer
  • Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year
  • Russel Kennedy Lawyers
  • Dr Marguerite Foxon
  • Siba Diqer
  • Peter Gartlan, Financial and Consumer Rights Council
  • Women with Disabilities Victoria
  • Victorian Women Lawyers
  • Victoria Police