6 August 2024

Fitzroy Legal Service announces new appointments and changes to the Board

New FLS Board Chair – Mick Sheehy

At the Fitzroy Legal Service Board meeting on 24 July, Claire Febey resigned as Chair of the Board and indicated that she would not seek re-election when her term ends at the Annual General Meeting in November. At the meeting the Board appointed current Deputy Chair Mick Sheehy as Chair.

Serving on the Board since 2018, outgoing FLS Chair Claire Febey said:

“I have been deeply honoured to serve on the FLS Board for the last six years and am incredibly proud to leave the organisation at a period of such energy and optimism for the years ahead.

“The strategic impact and service improvements that we’ve made during this time are a testament to the exceptional commitment and calibre of the FLS staff, our members and volunteers who drive the organisation forward day in, day out. It has been a joy to do this work alongside a talented and committed Board.

“Thank you to everyone for your support and vision. I look forward to seeing the transformative impact that FLS brings about for a more just and fairer Victoria in the years to come.”  

Incoming FLS Chair Mick Sheehy said:

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Claire for her unwavering dedication to FLS’s vision for access to justice and a fairer Victoria for all members of our community.

“I am pleased to take the reins as Chair and continue to support the organisation’s incredible impact across service innovations, legal support and advocacy at a time when our communities need it most.”

CEO Hamish McLachlan said:

“During her tenure on the Board and as Chair, Claire provided invaluable stewardship of FLS through the amalgamation of Darebin Community Legal Centre and Fitzroy Legal Service, the Covid pandemic and two changes of CEO.

“Under Claire’s leadership we have also undergone extensive, strategic and impactful service growth and laid the foundations for the future sustainability of our service, all at a time of significant pressure on our communities.”

Further Board member news

We also welcome leading community law and consumer advocate Gerard Brody as the newest member of FLS’s Board following Chanphyna Bou’s resignation from the Board earlier this year.

Starting his career as a community lawyer, Gerard is Chair of both Community Legal Centres Australia and the Consumers’ Federation of Australia, and is a Board Director of several national regulatory bodies. After benefitting greatly from Gerard’s assistance with the establishment of Q+Law last year, we couldn’t be more pleased to now have his expertise on our Board.

We extend our deepest thanks to Chanphyna for being a valued member of our Board over the past three and a half years, during which time she contributed greatly to FLS’s growth, guiding policies and overseeing the amalgamation between Darebin Community Legal Centre and Fitzroy Legal Service. We wish Chanphyna all the very best for her next endeavours, and again give our deep thanks for her contribution to FLS, DCLC and the CLC sector.

We would also like to congratulate Board member Karri Walker for her great achievement in completing her LL.M. at Harvard Law School this year after securing the prestigious John Monash Scholarship, AAA Scholarship and a Roberta Sykes Scholarship. Karri will be returning to her role as senior lawyer at the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria where she says she’ll be able to “draw upon the most innovative forms of human rights protections and implement those frameworks in Australia.”

Find out more about FLS Board members.

New Director of Legal Practice

Finally, we are delighted to also announce the appointment of experienced community legal sector leader Amy Frew as the organisation’s new Director of Legal Practice. Commencing on 12 August, Amy will be responsible for overseeing FLS’s advice, representation, casework and systemic advocacy across our criminal, family, civil and public interest law practices.

Amy is a stalwart of the community legal sector, having worked exclusively in CLCs throughout her 10-year+ legal career. Amy is currently the Director of Client Services at Tenants Victoria, and has previously worked as a lawyer and in leadership and management roles at NAAJA and the Human Rights Law Centre.

Find out more about the our team.