Sonya brings over 20 years of litigation and dispute resolution expertise to helping charities, not-for-profit entities, schools and commercial organisations resolve their disputes.
She has significant experience in advising charities and religious organisations in claims for historical institutional abuse, and educational institutions on regulatory investigations and actions.
As a trained mediator, Sonya can see all sides of a dispute and is intent on helping her clients resolve difficult legal issues as quickly and effectively as possible.
Expertise
Sonya’s expertise includes:
- Litigation in all courts and tribunals across all Australian jurisdictions
- Alternative dispute resolution, including mediation
- Advising on ways of avoiding reputational damage in complex public issues
- Engaging with boards to assist them in meeting their obligations
- Presenting seminars on issues relevant to schools and religious institutions
Recent Projects
- Acting for respondents in historical institutional abuse claims.
- Advising non-government schools on compliance with the educational laws and regulations.
- Acting for non-government schools seeking administrative review of decisions in NCAT.
- Advising clients in respect of disciplinary investigations.
- Advising childcare centres and Out-of-School Hours care centres on the Education and Care Services National Law.
Professional Memberships / Accreditation & Activities
- Member, Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand
- Member, Australia and New Zealand Education Law Association
- Member, Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales
- Member, Human Rights Committee, Law Society of New South Wales
Sector
- NFPs, Human Rights & Social Impact ,