Justice Fellowship Alumni

Amee Baird

Justice Fellow 2024

Amee has worked as a clinical neuropsychologist for over 20 years throughout Australia, and in London and Paris. Amee now has a private practice and works as a member of the NSW Mental Health Review and Guardianship Tribunals. She is also completing a Juris Doctor and Diploma of Legal Practice at the University of Newcastle. Exploring the intersection between dementia and criminal law, Aimee’s Justice Fellowship seeks to understand how access to justice can be improved for people with dementia in the context of contact with the criminal justice system. “I believe that with our ageing population, there will likely be a growing number of people with dementia facing the criminal justice system, and there is a need for greater understanding and reform in dealing with this vulnerable population”. 

Read: Baird A (2025) Diversion for dementia: Access to justice for people with dementia, Justice Ideas Vol 2024(1). Sydney: Law and Justice Foundation of NSW.

Will Cesta

Justice Fellow 2024

Will is a law and technology scholar, specialising in the regulation of autonomous software systems used throughout law, public administration and education. While usually based in Sydney, Will is preparing to pursue a Master of Laws at Harvard Law School. Investigating how Australian law applies to autonomous software systems like ChatGPT in the context of community legal service settings, Will’s Fellowship strives to help fill the gap for legal innovators to comply with legal profession law; clarify whether users harmed by these systems can seek redress; and identify any accountability gaps that need to be filled. 

Read: Cesta W (2025) Autonomous legal applications and access to justice: Liability considerations for legal innovators, Justice Ideas Vol 2024(1). Sydney: Law and Justice Foundation of NSW.

Arlia Fleming

Justice Fellow 2024

Currently serving as the CEO of the Central Tablelands and Blue Mountains CLC, Arlia has dedicated her professional career to Community Legal Centres (CLCs), including Women’s Legal Services and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services. Under her Justice Fellowship, Arlia is exploring the use of language in the documentation of victim-survivor experiences of domestic and family violence in legal proceedings. Arlia’s goal is to improve victim-survivor’s experience and outcomes in their interaction with the legal system by providing practical examples to improve the way lawyers document narratives about violence. “By fostering a culture of sensitivity and accountability within the legal profession, we can effectively serve the interests of justice and safeguard the well-being of those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault.” 

Read: Fleming A (2025) Changing the narrative: Language at the heart of justice and healing, Justice Ideas Vol 2024(1). Sydney: Law and Justice Foundation of NSW.

Patricia Vagg

Justice Fellow 2024

Patricia is a PhD student at the Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law at the University of New England. She is also a solicitor in regional NSW, and a sessional academic in regional universities. During Patricia’s time in private legal practice, she has been acknowledged for her work with disadvantaged clients in remote NSW. Patricia’s Fellowship will explore the legal needs of people throughout western NSW, amplifying community member experiences and thoughts from rural, regional and remote areas on how legal services can be most useful and accessible to meet community need. Patricia hopes that by raising the topic in a safe, friendly and de-identified manner, people will be able to share their experiences for the benefit of others. 

Teela Reid

Justice Fellow 2025

Professor Teela Reid is a Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman, solicitor, storyteller, and the first First Nations Associate Dean at Sydney Law School. Her career spans Aboriginal Land Rights, Native Title and cultural heritage law, driven by a commitment to justice on Aboriginal terms. Teela’s fellowship will explore the legacy and impact of First Nations Matriarchal advocacy in NSW, amplifying the voices and leadership of women who have long championed justice through love, truth, and strength.

Alastair Lawrie

Justice Fellow 2025

Alastair is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Justice and Equity Centre, where he has led work on anti-discrimination law reform for the past eight years. His background spans public service roles in the Victorian government, federal politics, and the not-for-profit sector, alongside longstanding volunteer contributions to LGBTQI+ health and rights. His fellowship will explore legal protections for children born with variations of sex characteristics, drawing on legislative approaches in the ACT and overseas. Alastair aims to help shape a best practice NSW framework that ends non-consensual medical interventions and affirms every person’s right to bodily autonomy.

Regina Featherstone

Justice Fellow 2025

Regina is a Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, working to protect whistleblowers. She previously led pro bono work at Allens and specialised in employment and discrimination law at Redfern Legal Centre. Her fellowship will examine trends in out-of-court discrimination settlements, using real case data to benchmark damages and inform legal advice. Regina’s project aims to empower clients and lawyers with evidence-based insights and elevate transparency in anti-discrimination law.

Vijhai Grayan

Justice Fellow 2025

Vijhai is Senior Legal Counsel at a global tech company, with a background in technology law and deep ties to the community legal sector. He previously worked at CLCNSW and continues to support grassroots organisations through legal volunteering and governance. His fellowship explores how AI can be safely and ethically integrated into community legal centres, identifying governance practices that enhance service delivery – so legal help can be more efficient, accessible, and human-centred.

Claudia Robinson

Justice Fellow 2025

Claudia is a solicitor at a community legal centre supporting clients facing financial hardship and economic abuse. She is currently completing a Master of Laws (Human Rights) through the University of London and holds leadership roles with UN Youth Australia, YWCA Australia, and NSW Young Lawyers. Her fellowship will compare Australian and UK legal responses to economic abuse, aiming to strengthen civil legal protections and bridge the gap between coercive control reforms and survivors’ everyday experiences.