Women's Legal Service WA Specialist Centre – Providing legal services to women across Western Australia. Expand Women’s Legal Service WA provides a range of legal support services to West Australian women in crisis, at risk or facing disadvantage. We aim to empower and educate women to know their legal rights and make informed legal choices, support women in gaining equitable access to information, advice and advocacy and assist women in achieving fair outcomes. Contact T: 08 9272 8800 or 1800 625 122 (country callers) W: www.wlswa.org.au Level 1, CSA building, 445 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000 Cost There are no costs associated with this service. Eligibility Women living in Western Australia with a focus on women who have the greatest need and who may experience additional barriers in accessing legal advice, support and justice. Services Legal information and referrals. Legal advice in their main practice areas: family law (parenting related matters, divorce and some property settlement matters through our Legal Clinic); family violence (identifying and responding to family violence and restraining order matters); protection and care (matters involving the Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support Division); and criminal injuries compensation (where it relates to family violence, assault or sexual assault). All legal advice appointments are for one-off legal advice. Any ongoing assistance with document drafting or other matters is offered at the discretion of the solicitor who is seen on the day. However, there is no guarantee that they will have capacity. Interpreters are available to assist women where English is not their first or preferred language. Community Legal Education Hours Our office is open 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday and the phone lines operate 9:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday. Back to top
Youth Legal Service Specialist Centre – Providing free professional legal services to children and young people (under 25) residing in Western Australia. Expand Youth Legal Service aims to promote access to justice for children and young people through advice, education, support, representation and advocacy. We focus on understanding and advocating for the legal needs of children and young people, and playing an active role in the development of an awareness of the legal rights and responsibilities for children and young people. Contact T: 08 9202 1688 W: www.youthlegalserviceinc.com.au Suite 3, 12 St George's Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Cost There are no costs associated with this service. Eligibility People under 25 years of age living in Western Australia Services Legal information advice and assistance will be provided in line with the Government of Western Australia's COVID Safety Plan. Information, advice, advocacy and representation for criminal matters, criminal injuries compensation applications and other civil matters (subject to capacity) Law and policy reform activities Community legal education Legal representation is provided in the Perth Metropolitan Courts only, including Perth, Armadale, Fremantle, Midland, Joondalup, Rockingham and Mandurah Please note priority is given to those appearing in the Children's Courts Outreach programs to regional and remote Western Australia may be available, subject to need and funding. Hours 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday Back to top
Chair Brodie Lewis Expand Brodie Lewis Brodie is currently the Business Manager for the Albany Community Legal Centre (ACLC), and has been working in the Community Legal sector for the last five years. Like many of our CLCs, Albany CLC provides community focused services beyond only legal advice, with a range of advocacy services assisting tenants, as well as people with disabilities and mental health issues. Prior to joining ACLC Brodie worked with a range of non-profit organisations assisting with digital transformation, governance and policy development. The Community Legal sector exists to help the marginalised in our communities. It is our sense of place that underpins the passion, resourcefulness and commitment of our people - staff, volunteers and our various boards. Community Legal WA is our collected expression of this passion and commitment. I am excited to be able to contribute to Community Legal WA in this role. Business Manager, Albany Community Legal Centre
Deputy Chair Sarah Patterson Expand Sarah Patterson I am consistently surprised by the amazing work that this sector can achieve with minimal resources, skeleton staff, and consistent uncertainty around viability and sustainability. But we do. In fact we thrive! I believe that our success is due to the passion and commitment of our members, and strong, committed governance that supports the sector to implement best practice models, work collaboratively, and leverage new opportunities for growth and success. I am currently the Chief Executive Officer of Gosnells Community Legal Centre and hold undergraduate degrees in Communication and Culture, and a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership. I have specialised in strategic planning, governance, and organisational culture and am excited to share these skills and experience with the other members of the Board and work collaboratively for the benefit of the sector as a whole. CEO, Gosnells Community Legal Centre
Treasurer Asha Bhat Expand Asha Bhat Asha Bhat leads the award-winning regional Southern Aboriginal Corporation (SAC), which provides services and programs that address the Noongar peoples' needs and aspirations in cooperation with other community and business organisations. With an asset base of $28 million, SAC provides services and programs in areas such as family violence prevention, affordable housing, health promotion, suicide prevention and legal services. Asha has been working in the Community Legal sector for the last 13 years. Asha advocates for Family Violence Prevention Legal services (FVPLS) that have the knowledge, experience and capacity to be the primary group providing family violence policy advice to the sector on family violence and child protection issues affecting Aboriginal families. Asha has an MBA from Kaplan Business School and holds master’s and bachelor's degrees in mathematics and business and professional accounting. She is an associate member of CPA and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is excited to be able to contribute to Community Legal WA in this role. CEO, Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Member Jennie Gray Expand Jennie Gray Jennie Gray is the Chief Executive Officer at Women’s Legal Service WA, an agency that provides gender specific legal advice and support to improve outcomes for women in the justice systems. Previously Jennie was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, at the Western Australian Council of Social Service, overseeing the organisation’s social policy, special projects and business development work. Her professional career in the community sector has spanned practice, management and research roles, in a variety of contexts, including many years based in the Kimberley coordinating services delivered across the North West. Jennie has been steadfast in her commitment to working alongside others to ensure a more just, fair and sustainable society. In addition to a Doctorate of Philosophy, Jennie has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Business. Chief Executive Officer, Women’s Legal Service WA
Member Kathy Johnson Expand Kathy Johnson Kathy joined Peel Community Legal Services as CEO in 2017. Kathy’s experience has extended from large corporate business, not for profit organisations to running a small family business. Her formal qualifications are in Management, HR and IR (JP, MBus (HRM), CAHRI) but the diversity of her roles has allowed her to develop strong general management skills including financial management, operations and project management.Kathy has been involved with NFP organisations as a Board Member and in these positions has gained strong knowledge of governance and strategic requirements. Kathy is a Justice of the Peace and is involved in a voluntary capacity with a number of organisations. Her interest is in social justice and access to services for all. CEO, Peel Community Legal Services
Corporate Services Coordinator Sonia Abbott Expand Sonia Abbott Sonia looks after the general operations for the whole team at CLWA, including the Board. As our Corporate Services Coordinator, Sonia provides valuable support around the areas of; governance, finance, human resources, IT and administration.
Member Sarah Toovey Expand Sarah Toovey Sarah is currently the General Manager of Ruah Legal Services and has worked in the Community Legal Sector since 2017. Ruah Legal Services launched in November 2019, following a merger between the Mental Health Law Centre (MHLC) and Ruah Community Services. As a result of the merger, Ruah Legal Services has been able to establish integrated services that help people address their psycho-social needs in conjunction with providing end-to-end legal assistance. Sarah has a Master of Human Rights and prior to returning to Australia in 2017 she spent two years in central Africa working in the monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian aid projects. Sarah is passionate about equipping staff with data management systems and processes that enable them to collect quality data without causing undue burden. This background in data management led MHLC to launch ActionStep in 2018, which has been a gamer changer for the practice. General Manager, Ruah Legal Services
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Jocasta Sibbel Expand Jocasta Sibbel As the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for CLWA, Jocasta is responsible for leading CLWA’s systemic advocacy and policy agenda and our work to positively influence policy and law reform. With a background in social justice and rights-based approaches, Jocasta bring a passion for collaboration and evidence-based policy to her work at CLWA.
Strategic Communications Coordinator Chantelle Lines Expand Chantelle Lines Chantelle is the Strategic Communications Coordinator for CLWA. With a background in campaigning and communications in the UK and in Western Australia across health, social justice and the environment, Chantelle leads on communications projects for CLWA and supports CLCs to communicate their impact.
Sector Development Manager Eleanor Yates Expand Eleanor Yates As the Sector Development Manager, Eleanor leads the delivery of CLWA’s sector development and reform program, the Sustainable CLCs project and manages the Sustainable CLCs team. The Sustainable CLCs project supports CLCs to meet the needs of their communities and demonstrate their impact; promotes best practice, supporting training and capacity building; advances the sustainability of CLCs and strengthens coordination, cooperation and communication between CLCs.
Senior Project Officer Sarah Jarman Expand Sarah Jarman Sarah is the Senior Project Officer for CLWA’s Sustainable CLCs project, supporting CLCs to implement the five Pillars of the Sustainable CLCs Project through the development of resources, strategies and one-on-one support. Sarah has worked in not-for-profit and State Government in the disability and mental health sectors and has experience working in a peak body and in sector reform.
Data and Impact Advisor Joshua David Marks Expand Joshua David Marks Joshua cut his teeth fresh out of university volunteering and working in the CLC sector as a tenant advocate and executive assistant. During this time, he was admitted as a legal practitioner, and developed an interest and skillset in service delivery data, case management systems, and strategic planning. Joshua is the Data and Impact Advisor on the Sustainable CLCs project. Additionally, Joshua volunteers as the convener of the Community Legal Education Workers' network.
Project and Referral Officer Holly Rolfe Expand Holly Rolfe Holly is the Project and Referral Officer in the Sustainable CLCs team, working to support CLCs to implement the five Pillars of the Project, as well as utilizing her knowledge of the sector to provide referrals to members of the community seeking legal advice.
Capacity Building Coordinator Renai Bremner Expand Renai Bremner The Capacity Building Coordinator works closely with the sector to build strong relationships and coordinate the National Accreditation Scheme in Western Australia. Renai Bremner is legally trained and experienced in policy, funding and community development including completing a postgraduate Certificate in Social Impact. Over the last 17 years, Renai has worked in State and local government, not-for-profits and in consulting. Most recently she was in Lotterywest’s Grants and Community Development Team working in grants management and social impact, negotiating complex grant proposals totalling $44M and pioneering the development of social impact frameworks.