Presenters

Elizabeth Needham, Counsel, Francis Burt Chambers
The studies Elizabeth has undertaken include music at Elder Conservatorium (Adelaide), psychology and law with her Masters considering the intersection between criminal law and human rights. Elizabeth elected to join the Independent Bar in 2007, and is at Francis Burt Chambers practicing in Family law, Child protection, Criminal law, Human Rights and Administrative law. Originally admitted to practice is South Australia in 1993 after working as Associate to Justices Prior and Zelling in the Supreme Court of South Australia, Elizabeth moved to Perth to work in human rights. Whilst at Sussex Street Community Legal Centre Inc, Elizabeth appeared as counsel in many successful human rights cases including Taking on government to provide inclusive and appropriate education for children with disabilities; and representative actions resulting in the accessible buses in Perth and against Telstra to provide TTY (Telephone Typewriters) for people who are deaf Australia wide From 1999 to 2003 Elizabeth was the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services at the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection and in that role undertook the more complex counsel work including appeals, criminal matters and civil litigation, as well as many administrative law matters. Between 2003 and 2007 Elizabeth Needham worked as a Principal Legal Officer at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, having carriage of, and appearing in the prosecution of, complex frauds, commercial matters (including international money laundering) and appeals. Elizabeth’s connection with Family Law prior to coming to the Bar was with her initial placement in South Australia that involved criminal and family law at the Legal Service Commission and then whilst working with Legal Aid in WA as both a volunteer and later in a consulting capacity. In particular Elizabeth dealt with family matters as part of the mental health pilot project she helped to run that resulted in the funding of what is now the Mental Health Law Service as well as worked on de facto matters in general. Elizabeth has also taught family law, administrative law, criminal law and evidence in the Legal Studies (for para-legals) and Law degrees at Edith Cowan University. As President of the Law Society of WA 2015 and 2016 and a director of Law Council Australia in 2015 - 2017, Elizabeth undertook many discussions about laws, the policies underpinning them and their implementation with both State and Federal politicians. Elizabeth also oversaw the preparation by the Law Society of over 50 position papers about current issues in the law that were then made available to the public. In her role as President of Women Lawyers WA in 2009 and 2010, Elizabeth sought to ensure that women in the legal profession were properly recognized. As a dual national, Elizabeth has been a member of Humanists UK as well as an individual member of Humanists International. In 2014 Elizabeth was the Australian delegate to the General Assembly for the IHEU and subsequently worked with them in reworking their many individual policies into a single, workable policy document.


Debbie Clinch, Partner, Clairs Keeley
Debbie is an accredited Family Law Specialist with 29+ years of experience. She handles all family law matters, including children’s issues, child support, spousal maintenance, property settlements, and financial agreements. A nationally accredited mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner, and Independent Children’s Lawyer, Debbie excels in keeping disputes out of court. Active in professional organizations, Debbie is a former President of Collaborative Professionals WA and former Secretary of the Family Law Practitioners Association of WA. She holds leadership roles on various committees and is a member of the Law Society of WA, the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, Resolution Institute, and several other professional associations.

Presenters

Elizabeth Needham, Counsel, Francis Burt Chambers
The studies Elizabeth has undertaken include music at Elder Conservatorium (Adelaide), psychology and law with her Masters considering the intersection between criminal law and human rights. Elizabeth elected to join the Independent Bar in 2007, and is at Francis Burt Chambers practicing in Family law, Child protection, Criminal law, Human Rights and Administrative law. Originally admitted to practice is South Australia in 1993 after working as Associate to Justices Prior and Zelling in the Supreme Court of South Australia, Elizabeth moved to Perth to work in human rights. Whilst at Sussex Street Community Legal Centre Inc, Elizabeth appeared as counsel in many successful human rights cases including Taking on government to provide inclusive and appropriate education for children with disabilities; and representative actions resulting in the accessible buses in Perth and against Telstra to provide TTY (Telephone Typewriters) for people who are deaf Australia wide From 1999 to 2003 Elizabeth was the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services at the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection and in that role undertook the more complex counsel work including appeals, criminal matters and civil litigation, as well as many administrative law matters. Between 2003 and 2007 Elizabeth Needham worked as a Principal Legal Officer at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, having carriage of, and appearing in the prosecution of, complex frauds, commercial matters (including international money laundering) and appeals. Elizabeth’s connection with Family Law prior to coming to the Bar was with her initial placement in South Australia that involved criminal and family law at the Legal Service Commission and then whilst working with Legal Aid in WA as both a volunteer and later in a consulting capacity. In particular Elizabeth dealt with family matters as part of the mental health pilot project she helped to run that resulted in the funding of what is now the Mental Health Law Service as well as worked on de facto matters in general. Elizabeth has also taught family law, administrative law, criminal law and evidence in the Legal Studies (for para-legals) and Law degrees at Edith Cowan University. As President of the Law Society of WA 2015 and 2016 and a director of Law Council Australia in 2015 - 2017, Elizabeth undertook many discussions about laws, the policies underpinning them and their implementation with both State and Federal politicians. Elizabeth also oversaw the preparation by the Law Society of over 50 position papers about current issues in the law that were then made available to the public. In her role as President of Women Lawyers WA in 2009 and 2010, Elizabeth sought to ensure that women in the legal profession were properly recognized. As a dual national, Elizabeth has been a member of Humanists UK as well as an individual member of Humanists International. In 2014 Elizabeth was the Australian delegate to the General Assembly for the IHEU and subsequently worked with them in reworking their many individual policies into a single, workable policy document.


Debbie Clinch, Partner, Clairs Keeley
Debbie is an accredited Family Law Specialist with 29+ years of experience. She handles all family law matters, including children’s issues, child support, spousal maintenance, property settlements, and financial agreements. A nationally accredited mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner, and Independent Children’s Lawyer, Debbie excels in keeping disputes out of court. Active in professional organizations, Debbie is a former President of Collaborative Professionals WA and former Secretary of the Family Law Practitioners Association of WA. She holds leadership roles on various committees and is a member of the Law Society of WA, the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, Resolution Institute, and several other professional associations.