Judy Courtin Legal

Andrea Wilkins  PracticeManager

Andrea has been with the firm from the beginning as our Practice Manager.  She is wholeheartedly committed to helping our clients attain justice and healing.  
Andrea oversees systems and processes, financial management and legal costing as well as helping to look after the team so that we remain and happy and thriving workplace.

Aylin Yigit  Lawyer

Aylin holds a Bachelor of Laws from La Trobe University and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from The College of Law. Before joining Judy Courtin Legal, she obtained experience representing clients in all areas of personal injury law, as well as social security and Centrelink issues.
She understands that it can be emotional and overwhelming for survivors to go through a legal process, and she is focused on ensuring her clients feel supported and informed at all stages.
Aylin is empathetic and passionate about helping others. She has spent years volunteering at community legal centres who provide free legal assistance to vulnerable people such as the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and Fitzroy Legal Service. She now dedicates her spare time to volunteering with the Mirabel Foundation, who support vulnerable and neglected children to find a sense of purpose and community.

Di Roberts  Legal Assistant

Di undertook a combined Arts/Law degree at Monash University, before combining family life and running her own conveyancing business. She has also worked in a variety of legal support roles over the years, and spent ten years at Springvale Monash Legal Service where she facilitated access to justice for those most in need. Di’s vast experience, together with her compassionate and empathetic nature, brings a client-focused approach to her role at Judy Courtin Legal and she is excited to be part of a team that advocates for the rights of survivors of child sexual abuse.

Emerson Street  Paralegal

Emerson is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws at Monash University. He has a keen interest in human rights law which led him to undertake a major in this area. This, combined with his passion for advocacy, has shaped his interest in the work of institutional child abuse law. Emerson is delighted to put into practice the theory of his studies through real-life application. His hard-working nature, dedication and eagerness to learn enables him to meaningfully support the work of Judy Courtin Legal in his role.

Gayle Fulford Client Support and Advocacy

Gayle brings a deep passion for social justice in her Client Support and Advocacy role.  Her previous trauma-informed counselling and advocacy work supporting clients who have experienced sexual assault and family violence is extensive.  Gayle supported survivors from Ballarat and surrounds as they bravely spoke out and provided their submissions to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
It has been an honour for Gayle to walk alongside and learn from First Nations Peoples in many different projects throughout her career.
Gayle is excited to be part of a dedicated and compassionate legal team that works tirelessly towards justice and accountability for their clients.  Gayle will be working alongside the legal teams to help support our clients throughout the legal process.
Outside of her role at Judy Courtin Legal, Gayle enjoys gardening, self-sustainability, reading and travel.  

Haven Roberts Paralegal

Haven is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts at La Trobe University with a major in linguistics. Throughout her studies she has volunteered extensively with organisations acting on behalf of people who have struggled to access the justice system in an equitable manner. This has inspired her interest in the area of institutionalised abuse and she is passionate about assisting our clients, and particularly those in need of a helping hand. Haven brings her excellent communication skills, hard-working nature, and enthusiasm to the practice and is eager to apply her skills learnt throughout her degree.

Jasmine Cochrane Paralegal

Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from La Trobe University and recently completed Practical Legal Training at Leo Cussen Centre for Law. She has undertaken placement at a Community Legal Centre and a not-for-profit service for women who have experienced family violence. Through these experiences, Jasmine has developed a strong interest in assisting survivors of abuse.

Judy Courtin Lawyer, Principal

Judy is an ongoing campaigner for legal and other reforms in the area of institutional sexual abuse. She advocated strongly for both the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse and by Religious and Other Organisations (Victorian Inquiry) and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission) and represented victims at the Royal Commission.
Judy continues to write extensively to advocate for, and represent the voices of, victims and their families, whilst addressing their legal and human rights.

Jules Boas Legal Assistant

Jules is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University with a major in philosophy and a minor in politics and international studies. Throughout his studies, he has volunteered with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and the Australian Electoral Committee, among others.

Linda Mollica Paralegal Manager

Linda has been with the practice for several years.  She is highly motivated with exceptional communication skills which are an invaluable contribution to the pursuit of victims of institutional abuse.  Linda has extensive management and paralegal experience.  In her role Linda supports our teams in relation to trial preparation and overseeing our paralegals.

Melissa McVey  Lawyer

Melissa has recently completed a Bachelor of Law and Arts at La Trobe University and her practical legal training with Leo Cussen.
Throughout university Melissa volunteered with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre which has led her to understand the complexities of accessing the justice system and motivated her to assist those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. 
When not working, Melissa enjoys freediving, paddle boarding and being around the ocean.

Nadine Daniel Lawyer 

Nadine joined JCL in 2019 after ten years with Victoria Legal Aid. Nadine is committed to providing access to justice and is a dedicated member of the JCL team. 

Sachita Sood Lawyer

Sachita graduated from a combined Law and Criminology degree at Deakin University in 2022 and will now complete her Practical Legal Training with the College of Law. She has completed a placement at a Family Violence and Family Law Clinic at a Community Legal Centre and worked in the Deakin Employment Law Clinic, helping individuals access the justice system and receive their entitlements through the legal process.
She has learnt about trauma-informed legal practices throughout various paralegal experiences and is committed to applying this knowledge to her work in institutional child abuse at Judy Courtin Legal.

Samantha Camilleri Senior Lawyer

Samantha previously worked for Maurice Blackburn and Wisewould Mahony Lawyers.
She has had extensive experience seeking compensation for clients who have suffered from both physical and psychiatric injuries, including the Black Saturday Bushfires and DePuy Hip Implant class actions.
Samantha’s pro bono work with the Mental Health Legal Clinic, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and Springvale Monash Legal Service, has also given her the opportunity to advocate and deliver successful legal outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
She is now committed to fighting for justice and compensatory remedies for survivors of abuse against the many institutions who were an abject failure in protecting those within their care.

Samuel Sheppard Lawyer 

Samuel is a committed and dedicated lawyer with a keen interest in personal injury law and civil litigation. He currently practices across various jurisdictions in Australia including Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. Samuel enjoys the various aspects of working on historical abuse matters, including the challenge, the fight, and obtaining justice for his clients.

Tashi McPherson Lawyer

Tashi completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Psychological Science at La Trobe University. As a part of her studies, Tashi volunteered at various Community Legal Centres and worked with the Child Protection team at the Department of Health and Human Services. The Child Protection placement sparked her interest in helping vulnerable people access justice, and she ensures her clients have a positive legal experience.
Tashi has been at Judy Courtin Legal since 2021, and has experience practicing in various jurisdictions in Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania.

Tatiana Shumskaya Paralegal

Tatiana has had significant legal experience, both as a lawyer in Russia, and as a Senior Paralegal, Legal Assistant, and Administrator in Australia.
In more recent years, and prior to joining Judy Courtin Legal, Tatiana devoted herself to her family. However, she felt a need to return to the workforce to an environment where her highly accomplished professional skills could be utilised.
In Tatiana’s own words, when applying for her position at Judy Courtin Legal:
“… I am also inspired by your company’s work supporting victims of institutional abuse and would be honoured to be able to contribute …” 
Her contribution has indeed been invaluable. Her compassion has shone through, and her ability to carry out complex assignments in high-volume and deadline-intensive situations cannot be understated