Susannah, Director

I started with the Your Story Disability Legal Support in November 2020, and it’s a team that I am incredibly proud to be a part of. I’ve had various roles at Legal Aid NSW, including the Director of Client and Case Management System and the Solicitor in Charge of the Domestic Violence Unit. I have worked as a lawyer with children, young people and parents for 15 years in the areas of domestic violence, child protection and family law. From 2014, I was involved in establishing Legal Aid NSW’s Domestic Violence Unit, and the Family Advocacy and Support Services in NSW.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) and Bachelor of Laws (with honours) in 2004, as well as a diploma of frontline management and an Executive Master in Public Administration in more recent years. I am passionate about social justice and about legal services that work together with clients in a way that values respect, dignity and compassion. I love being able to contribute to systemic change, as well as to services that can create change through improving the experience that a client may have through a legal process (knowing that it can be a very challenging and sometimes traumatic journey).

Working with Your Story is a cause very close to my heart both professionally and personally as my brother passed away from a degenerative metabolic disorder. Growing up with this experience taught me respect for the resilience of people with a disability and their families, as well as the importance of high quality and trauma-informed support. And it’s a privilege to now be able to work with clients and colleagues in this area.