Tell us about a moment you saw your "good work" ripple outward.

There have been several moments that made me realise the work we’re doing at YLP Legal – Your Legal Partner is creating real, lasting impact—not just within our firm, but far beyond it.

One especially moving moment came during one of our quarterly team meetings. As part of a light-hearted tradition, we each nominate someone for our internal "Wowser Award"—a way to acknowledge a team member for something inspiring they’ve done. That day, every single team member nominated me—not for a particular case or business milestone, but for my commitment to them and to our clients. It was a quiet but deeply affirming moment. Even more impactful was what happened next: the team began brainstorming ways we could further support women in law. That spontaneous conversation led to new initiatives, including a commitment to engage female barristers first—when they have the right experience—as part of our broader goal to uplift women across the legal profession.

Another ripple came from a case that remains close to my heart. I represented a woman who had been enslaved for 14 years by a couple and had finally escaped. Through months of tireless work, including a 12-hour mediation, we were able to secure a financial settlement that gave her not just justice, but freedom—enough to purchase her first home and start a new life. When the matter was resolved, we hugged through tears. She told me that she had finally felt heard and safe. That moment reminded me of how crucial it is to bring empathy, persistence, and gender-aware advocacy into the legal space—because had she engaged a different solicitor, the outcome might have been tragically different.

The ripples extend into our disability advocacy work as well. As South Australia’s first Autism Friendly law firm, we are frequently contacted by people with disabilities seeking legal help. While our practice areas are limited to commercial law, IP, and wills and estates, the volume and urgency of these inquiries made it clear that we couldn’t meet this need alone. So, we began forming a collective of like-minded firms. We’ve already brought on two other firms and are actively working to expand into high-need areas like family and criminal law, with real momentum building into 2025.

We’ve also taken the conversation public. I recently contributed to an article in the International Law Society Journal about how law firms can better support neurodiversity. The response was overwhelming—from the interviewer and from the broader legal community. It was a clear signal that people are hungry for change, and that simply starting these conversations can unlock progress across the profession.

Over time, I’ve heard from many people—clients, colleagues, even strangers—who’ve shared how our story moved them to reflect on their own values and practices. Some told me that it made them reconsider how their workplaces support women or respond to people with disabilities. That, to me, is the ultimate ripple effect: not just doing good work, but inspiring others to do the same.

What obstacles did you face while amplifying others?

So many obstacles throughout this journey have presented themselves—some expected, others not. One of the most significant challenges has been building a legal practice that deliberately breaks away from the traditional mould of the legal industry. From the beginning, when I took over and reimagined the business as YLP Legal – Your Legal Partner, we were met with disapproval, scepticism, and even isolation.

Many in the industry didn’t understand why we would deviate from the long-standing traditions of law firms. And for some, our approach made them uncomfortable. That discomfort often translated into judgment and even ridicule. We were mocked, excluded from certain circles, and undoubtedly talked about behind closed doors. It was clear that doing things differently—especially in a field so deeply rooted in hierarchy and rigidity—came at a cost.

Yet we persevered.

Our mission is clear: to help people navigate life’s journey with compassion, understanding, and professionalism. Our values—family, honesty, integrity, reliability, fun, and making a difference—remain the compass guiding us through resistance. And instead of focusing on the critics, we’ve chosen to surround ourselves with cheerleaders—those who believe in our vision and help us spread the word that respectful, inclusive, and human-centred legal service is not only possible, but essential.

Another deeply personal challenge has been my role as a mother to two boys with Autism. Attending their therapy sessions after school and on weekends significantly limits the hours I can devote to our cause. There have been moments where I’ve felt that, had I more time and flexibility, we could be further along in building our collective and pushing our advocacy work. But I’ve come to see this as part of the journey—not a setback. Progress isn’t measured by speed, but by consistency and purpose. Making a difference is a marathon, not a sprint. As long as we continue moving forward, we are winning.

We’ve also faced obstacles in amplifying marginalised voices, particularly when advocating for disability inclusion in law. Even after becoming South Australia’s first Autism Friendly accredited firm, we were inundated with legal needs outside our scope of practice. That inspired the creation of a collective of like-minded firms, which remains a work in progress—one that requires ongoing collaboration, education, and overcoming industry hesitations.

Similarly, fostering an empowering environment for women in law came with its own challenges. We had to challenge ingrained beliefs about flexibility, mentorship, and leadership. Investing in people—especially young women like our Associate Solicitor, Lauren Gallina—meant rewriting traditional models of professional development.

Today, we still face these challenges—but we face them with resolve. Our energy hasn’t faltered, and it never will. Because for every obstacle, there is an opportunity to prove that the legal industry can be more inclusive, more compassionate, and more human.

What’s your bigger vision for making an even greater impact?

My vision has always extended far beyond the four walls of our office at YLP Legal – Your Legal Partner. While I’m proud of what we’ve built—a truly inclusive, compassionate, and empowering legal practice—my greater goal is to create systemic change within the legal industry itself, so that inclusivity, flexibility, and human-centred practice become the standard, not the exception.

One key part of that vision is the expansion of our disability advocacy collective. As the first Autism Friendly accredited law firm in South Australia, we have become a trusted contact point for neurodivergent and disabled clients seeking legal help. But our own firm’s practice areas are limited. That’s why we began forming a network of like-minded law firms to serve these clients with the respect and understanding they deserve—especially in high-need areas such as family law and criminal law. My long-term goal is to see this collective grow into a national alliance, with best-practice frameworks and shared resources, so that no person with a disability ever has to face the legal system feeling misunderstood or unsupported.

Another part of this vision is championing flexible, values-led workplaces across the legal sector—especially for women. At YLP Legal, we’ve proven that law can be practiced at a high standard without sacrificing family time, mental health, or dignity. I want to use our model to inspire broader change: by mentoring other law firm leaders, contributing to public conversations, and continuing to support the next generation of female lawyers through mentorship and opportunity.

As a mother of two boys with Autism, time is one of my most precious resources. Juggling their care and therapy commitments alongside my professional mission is not easy—but it has given me a deep sense of purpose. I know that real, meaningful change takes time, and I’ve come to see this work as a marathon, not a sprint. My vision is long-term, because I believe lasting impact requires patience, persistence, and people power.

We’re also continuing to grow our external advocacy efforts—participating in national and international publications, exhibiting at disability expos, and using our platform to start conversations that challenge outdated thinking in law and business. Already, I’ve seen other businesses reflect on their own practices after hearing our story. That ripple effect is powerful—and I want to keep pushing it further.

Ultimately, my bigger vision is to help reshape the legal industry into one that reflects the diversity, empathy, and humanity of the communities it serves—where every person feels seen, heard, and respected, whether they’re a client, a colleague, or a future lawyer finding their way.