The legal landscape in Australia is increasingly being shaped by women; however, breaking through to leadership is still a challenge.
Many talented lawyers leave the profession early, and women remain underrepresented at the top.
These are the trailblazers changing that current reality. From leading complex trials and international arbitration, to advocating for human rights, First Nations communities and legal innovation, these women are challenging norms, mentoring the next generation and proving that when women’s expertise is supported, the law can be a force for meaningful change.
Check out more on what’s changing for women in law in Australia here.
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Leah Cameron
Leah Cameron is a Palawa solicitor and founder of Marrawah Law, recognised as Queensland’s First Nations Lawyer of the Year and a recipient of the Centenary Medal for advancing justice outcomes, pro-bono access and culturally informed legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She was also entrusted by the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to negotiate the repatriation of her ancestors’ remains from the British Museum, reflecting her deep commitment to cultural justice and self-determination.
Lauren Cassimatis
With over 20 years of experience in the legal profession, Lauren Cassimatis is a leading female criminal lawyer in Melbourne and the Principal Lawyer, Director, and Founder of Gallant Law. She is also the founder of Connecting Lawyer Mums, a nationwide network that supports lawyer mothers in balancing their careers and families.
Renée Bianchi
Renée Bianchi is a barrister with a diverse practice in common law, commercial and equity matters, including the areas of professional negligence, product liability, insurance, general commercial and succession law. She is the current President of Australian Women Lawyers, a justice and equity champion advancing women within the legal profession, and Co-Vice Chair of the Women Barristers Forum.
Alexandra Einfeld
An emerging leader in international arbitration, Alexandra Einfeld was recently named the Australian Young Lawyer of the Year for 2025 by the Law Council of Australia. She was recognised for her work creating opportunities for practitioners in arbitration by developing the Australian Network for Arbitrators and Tribunal Secretaries, as well as leading the Arbitration Updates website, and contributing to the Oceania portfolio of Young ITA.
Claire Grant KC
Claire Grant KC is an experienced criminal law barrister, based in Townsville, who made history in December 2025 by becoming the first female King’s Counsel (KC) appointed outside of Brisbane. She has defended many complex criminal trials throughout Queensland in both the Supreme and District Courts, as well as recently being appointed to Legal Aid Queensland’s Complex Criminal Case Barrister Panel.
Emma Mason
Emma Mason is a Bathurst-based children’s lawyer and online safety advocate whose campaign for stronger social media protections followed the death of her 15-year-old daughter after sustained cyberbullying. Her work has helped drive Australia’s social media age-limit reforms and earned her major honours, including the Law Society of NSW President’s Medal and Marie Claire’s 2025 Changemaker of the Year.
Rahima Wahidi
Rahima Wahidi is a family and immigration lawyer and Consulting Solicitor at Oceanic Legal & Migration Services, recognised as the 2024 Emerging Lawyer of the Year for her compassionate, client-centred advocacy. Admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales, she specialises in complex family law matters and humanitarian and family visas, combining technical expertise with deep community commitment.
Professor Sandra Creamer AM
Professor Sandra Creamer AM is a Waanyi and Kalkadoon lawyer, human rights advocate and Adjunct Professor of Public Health at the University of Queensland, recognised nationally and internationally for her leadership advancing First Nations women’s health, rights and self-determination. She is CEO of the Australian Women’s Health Alliance and Chair of First Nations Economics, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to Indigenous women and communities.
Rikisha Phineasa
Rikisha Phineasa is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman and James Cook University Law and Arts (Indigenous Studies) graduate, working as a Litigation Support Officer with Legal Aid Queensland to support access to justice for vulnerable communities. The 2025 Queensland Law Society First Nations Student Award winner and Australian Academy of Law First Nations Scholarship recipient, she is an emerging national youth advocate shaping education and policy through leadership roles across community and government advisory groups.
Professor Teela Reid
Professor Teela Reid is a Wiradjuri and Wailwan lawyer, essayist, storyteller, and Associate Dean (Indigenous Services & Strategy) at Sydney Law School, as well as co-founder of @blackfulla_bookclub, a platform celebrating First Nations storytelling. An expert in Aboriginal Land Rights, Native Title, and cultural heritage law, she has led landmark advocacy, contributed to national debates on the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and is a published commentator in major outlets; she was named 2022 Indigenous Leader at the Australian Law Awards and will release her debut novel in 2027.
Laina Chan
An award-winning barrister, Laina Chan is founder and CEO of MiAI Law, where she designs the legal‑AI architecture and core algorithms behind the world-first first-principles legal reasoning platform. Recognised as Barrister of the Year (2021, Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards), she combines expertise in law and mathematics to deliver transparent, citation-verified AI tools that transform legal research and practice.
Kate Adnams
A Senior Lawyer at LawRight QLD and Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Queensland, Kate Adnams was named Australian Young Lawyer of the Year 2024 by the Law Council of Australia for her advocacy supporting vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness through trauma‑informed legal services. She leads innovative health‑justice partnerships that improve legal outcomes and wellbeing for marginalised communities.
Tylah Coskerie
Tylah Coskerie is a family lawyer at Watts McCray who has practised exclusively in family law since her admission to the Supreme Court of New South Wales and High Court of Australia in 2020. Recognised as a 2025 Future Legal Leader by Australasian Lawyer, she combines expertise in complex parenting, property and international child abduction matters with a client-focused, empathetic approach to empower families navigating difficult legal challenges.
Dr Maria Bhatti
Dr. Maria Bhatti is a Senior Lecturer at Western Sydney University, specialising in religion and the law, examining the intersection of religious and secular legal systems and their impact on society. Author of Islamic Law and International Commercial Arbitration, she combines academic research with practical legal experience to promote social justice, cultural understanding, and inclusive legal and workplace environments.
Ramona Vijeyarasa
Ramona Vijeyarasa is a Professor of Law at the University of Technology Sydney and the Chief Investigator behind the Gender Legislative Index, using law, data science, and engineering to promote legislation that better advances women’s lives. An award-winning scholar and women’s rights activist, she is the author of The Woman President: Leadership, Law and Legacy for Women and has been recognised internationally for her work on gender equality and legal innovation.
Sarah Ibrahim
Sarah Ibrahim is a Sydney-based commercial lawyer and the Principal Director of Central Lawyers, a boutique firm she founded to provide strategic, values-driven advice to medium-sized businesses on contract, employment, and commercial law. Her firm notably acted for Antoinette Lattouf, filing the initial claim against the ABC, highlighting Ibrahim’s commitment to advocacy and justice-driven outcomes. An Egyptian Australian woman, mother, and survivor of domestic violence, she is also the founder of the Racial Justice Centre, Australia’s only legal service dedicated to addressing racial discrimination, and continues to provide pro bono support promoting human rights, equality, and social justice across the community.
Elaine Johnson
Elaine Johnson is a leading landowner advocate and environmental and climate lawyer with over 18 years’ experience, specialising in disputes with the resources industry and strategies for a safe climate and healthy environment. Former Director of Legal Strategy at the Environmental Defenders Office and co-author of Access to Environmental Justice, she has worked on landmark cases including Rocky Hill and Carmichael coal mine challenges, advancing a rapid and just transition to a low‑carbon economy while upholding the rights of people and nature.
Tekan Cochrane
Tekan Cochrane is a Kooma, Yuwaalaraay and Torres Strait Islander lawyer and human rights advocate, named a finalist for the 2025 Australian Human Rights Commission Law Award for her work advancing safer systems through law reform and community support, especially for First Peoples, migrants and others facing injustice. Founder and Director of TC Law & Consulting and Director of Women of Colour Australia, as well as leader of the Tarwirri Indigenous Law Association of Victoria, she mentors First Nations law students and has contributed to major policy initiatives, including Victoria’s Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme, driving systemic change with empathy, accountability and reform.
Belinda Kochanowska
Belinda Kochanowska is the Principal and Founder of Intrepidus Law, widely recognised as Australia’s leading NDIS and disability rights law firm. An award-winning lawyer with over 20 years of experience across private practice, government, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors, she is a passionate advocate for disability rights, informed by her personal experience as a mother and carer of an NDIS participant.
Karen Iles
Karen Iles is a human-rights and employment lawyer and founder of Violet Co Legal & Consulting, a woman-owned, Indigenous social enterprise focused on employment law, corporate governance, and sexual assault. In 2022, she publicly shared her experience as a survivor of multiple aggravated sexual assaults as a 14-year-old, highlighting systemic failures in police investigations across Queensland and New South Wales. Iles has campaigned to increase police accountability and improve justice for survivors, while continuing her legal advocacy for women and First Nations people.