Photo above: Judy speaking at the Opening of Legal Term court sitting in February 2026. Photo provided by the Department of Justice.
Claire: You’ve stepped into the presidency as the first president from a Community Legal Centre. When you look back at your own legal journey, what experiences most shaped the lawyer and leader you are today?
Judy: My legal career has been profoundly shaped by my personal background. Growing up in apartheid South Africa, I experienced firsthand the injustice, powerlessness and silencing that fuelled a deep commitment to social justice. While revolution initially felt like the only response, it ultimately led to the deaths or imprisonment of close friends, reinforcing my resolve to pursue change through more enduring and constructive means. At the time, however, studying law was not a realistic option: as a coloured person, I was largely restricted to segregated institutions, with access to historically white universities tightly controlled and requiring ministerial approval. Unwilling to accept an inferior education, I pursued other professional paths, knowing that when the opportunity finally arose, I would return to study law, and I did when our family immigrated to Australia. It’s why I love Australia and have raised my children as proud Australians.
Claire: Was there a particular moment when you knew the law was “your place”, or did that conviction grow over time? And what drew you to work in the CLC sector?
Judy: I have the heart of a revolutionary, and if there’s a battle to be fought, I’m usually in the fray. I feel a strong pull to stand up for others, and that instinct is what made my work at Fremantle Community Legal Centre so fulfilling. While I genuinely enjoy study and even the more methodical aspects of the law, forensic information‑gathering and working with contractual language, it is people‑based law where I have done my best work. There are moments when I long for quiet, technical work, but nothing compares to the gratitude that comes from achieving an outcome that can change the trajectory of a child’s life, support a family, or create even the smallest ripple of positive change.
“I have the heart of a revolutionary, and if there’s a battle to be fought, I’m usually in the fray.”
Claire: How would colleagues who’ve worked alongside you over the years describe your leadership style, and how do you hope members will experience it during your presidency?
Judy: I lead by building real relationships. I don’t ask anything of others that I’m not prepared to do myself. I’m not sure there’s a neat label for my leadership style, I just know I can’t lead without trust and connection. I want to guide and encourage, and I always hope those who come after me will do better than I did and learn from my mistakes. Honestly, I don’t know how to lead any other way. I hope members, and others across the profession, experience me as genuine, reliable, and deeply committed to access to justice.
Claire: The role of Law Society president carries both influence and responsibility. What does the position mean to you personally?
Judy: Being president is both a real privilege and a serious responsibility. It’s a chance to give back to a profession that’s shaped who I am, and to use the influence of the role to stand up for fairness, integrity and access to justice. I don’t see it as a position of status, but one of service; listening to members, backing their concerns, and helping the profession navigate what’s ahead. At a personal level, it means showing up with honesty, courage and care, and doing my best to leave the profession stronger, more connected and more compassionate than I found it.
Claire: As president, what are the key issues for the WA legal profession that you feel most compelled to tackle in 2026?
Judy: I feel most compelled to tackle lawyer wellbeing, access to justice, and juvenile justice. The wellbeing of the profession, particularly for younger and early‑career lawyers, is critical. Too many are experiencing pressure and burnout, and if we don’t address that, we risk losing talented people early in their careers. Access to justice remains a central concern. Too many people are still unable to get the legal help they need, and that has real and lasting consequences for families and communities. Closely linked to this is juvenile justice. How we respond to children and young people in the legal system matters, and I’m passionate about approaches that are fair, trauma‑informed and focused on long‑term outcomes.
“Too many are experiencing pressure and burnout, and if we don’t address that, we risk losing talented people early in their careers.”
Claire: Where do you see the Law Society making the greatest difference over the next year?
Judy: I think the Law Society can make the greatest difference by being a strong, practical advocate for a profession that’s under real pressure. That means continuing to lead on wellbeing and sustainability, especially supporting early‑career lawyers and promoting healthier workplace cultures. It also means using our voice to push for meaningful improvements in access to justice, including better funding and smarter ways of delivering legal services. Just as importantly, the Society can bring the profession together to have honest conversations about what needs to change and help drive that change forward.
Claire: You’ve had a long and varied career, not always in the law. Is there a lesson from your career, or a challenge you’ve faced, that still informs how you approach your life and career today?
Judy: A lot of the challenges that shaped my path weren’t obvious at the time, they just felt like life happening. But looking back, each one shifted me in a direction I didn’t expect and ultimately made me a more grounded, resilient and purpose‑driven person. I have never considered myself a victim of these challenges I faced. In fact, it made me more dogged in my approach.
Growing up in apartheid South Africa was the first and most defining challenge. Experiencing injustice firsthand and seeing how power could be used to silence people left a mark on me. It planted the seeds of my commitment to fairness, service and standing up for others.
Studying law later in life came with its own obstacles: juggling study, family and work, and feeling like I had to prove myself in a field I entered later than most. But that challenge made me more determined, more focused, and incredibly grateful for the opportunity.
Each challenge, whether personal, professional, emotional or ethical, pushed me to grow. They taught me resilience, empathy, accountability and courage. And together, they shaped not just my career path, but the person and leader I’ve become.
“Studying law later in life came with its own obstacles: juggling study, family and work, and feeling like I had to prove myself in a field I entered later than most.”
Claire: Outside the law, what keeps you grounded, and do those interests influence the way you show up as president?
Judy: I’m grounded, first and foremost, by my faith. It helps me stay centred, grateful, and honest about who I am and what matters. It reminds me that I’m not the centre of anything, people matter, and living with integrity matters.
My family is also a huge part of who I am. They know all my flaws and love me anyway. They’re the ones who keep me steady, support me when I need it most, and challenge me when I think I don’t. Being part of a real, imperfect, loving family has shaped how I understand people, and it’s a big part of why I care so deeply about achieving good outcomes for clients in my practice as a family lawyer. I’ve seen how much stability and support can change someone’s life.
Claire: When your term concludes, what would success look like to you and what do you hope members will say about the impact of your presidency?
Judy: I hope the impression I leave is one of genuine commitment to our members and the broader profession, someone dedicated to the role, supportive of the staff who keep our work moving, and who has built meaningful, lasting relationships across the profession at both state and national levels, all while carrying out the role with integrity and care.
I hope members will say my presidency was a breath of fresh air, innovative, compassionate, and grounded in a genuine commitment to the profession. I hope they feel I brought new energy, openness and care to the role, and that my leadership helped create space for honest connection, thoughtful change and a renewed sense of purpose across the profession.
Or, they may just say, “It’s nice, it’s different, it’s unusual …”.
