About us
Many Australians can’t access the legal services they require, particularly in relation to family law matters. The term 'missing middle' refers to a large part of the community, who are typically low to medium income earners, that are not able to access the legal advice they need. These individuals often don’t qualify for government funded free legal services such as legal aid and, for financial or other reasons, cannot access services from private practice law firms.
In 2021, international law firm DLA Piper and Macquarie University, along with a number of partner organisations, created Wallumatta Legal to help meet this need. Originally opening in NSW, a grant from the Victorian Legal Service Board and a partnership with the University of Melbourne allowed us to expand into Victoria in 2024.
We are now part of a wider legal ecosystem, working to build equal access to justice across Australia. Meet our founders and friends.
The Wallumatta Legal team
Our team is passionate about access to justice and ensuring that all Australians can access the family law services they require.
Currently operating in New South Wales and Victoria, we have a growing team of family lawyers in both states with dedicated legal support nationally.
We are proud to also engage with our university hosts and work with student interns from both University of Melbourne and Macquarie University Law Schools each semester.
National
Vivian Galanis
Managing Principal Solicitor / Director
Vivian is an experienced lawyer who has practiced exclusively in family law throughout her career - initially at a large national law firm, and more recently in leading the family law service at a Community Legal Centre. She is a pragmatic and confident advocate that brings great empathy and compassion to her work. Vivian is dedicated to improving access to justice for everyday Australians from all socio-economic backgrounds, education, and life experience. She is also passionate about building and developing the legal team and mentoring university students and law graduates.
Penny Ling
Principal
Penny is an experienced solicitor who is committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of family law in a compassionate and empathic manner. She Is skilled in resolving matters for clients in the most efficient and supportive manner providing practical advice on property and parenting matters, no matter the complexity.
Penny is passionate about assisting clients who would otherwise not have access to justice, in achieving the best outcome so they can move on with their lives.
Kisanne Dulin
General Manager
Kisanne utilises her background and experience in general management from not-for-profit and professional services environments to manage the ‘non-legal’ aspects of Wallumatta Legal. She is passionate about addressing the need for equity in access to justice and embraces the opportunity to be a part of an organisation that is actively making a difference by doing things a bit differently. Working closely with the Managing Principal Solicitor, legal team, Board, and other stakeholders, Kisanne is focused on ensuring that as many clients as possible are able to access high quality and affordable family law services.
New South Wales
Marcia Simeone
Senior Solicitor
Marcia has practised exclusively in family law since her admission in 2008. She is known for her compassion, down to earth approach, and steady guidance through what can often be life’s most challenging moments. Having personal experience within the family law system, she is known for her ability to navigate emotionally charged situations with professionalism and care and combines technical legal expertise with a deep understanding of the human dynamics that underpin family law matters, ensuring her clients feel supported while achieving the best possible outcomes; whether that be through negotiation or representing her clients in court. Passionate about access to justice, Marcia is committed to achieving a fair and meaningful outcome with a focus on both legal resolution and long-term wellbeing. Prior to this position, Marcia worked exclusively in private practice where she recognised an increasing gap in the availability of quality legal support for those who need it most – and her desire to help address that gap led her to Wallumatta Legal.
Miran Hosny (on leave)
Senior Solicitor
Miran is passionate about supporting clients to engage with the Family Law process and convey their own personal stories, so that they feel acknowledged and heard. Miran’s skills in negotiation, representation and advocacy were mostly nurtured in family law, where her experience spans simple to complex parenting and property settlement matters. Miran is qualified in the Collaborative Practice method of dispute resolution and is a strong believer in settlement-focused practice. At the heart of her practise, Miran is driven by values of social justice and an empathy for families and communities.
Priyanka Sharma
Senior Solicitor
Priyanka is a Senior Solicitor at Wallumatta Legal. She is an experienced lawyer who is passionate about supporting clients to achieve practical and favourable outcomes by way of negotiation, or where necessary, litigation. She strives to provide a thorough, professional and sensitive service to her clients.
Priyanka has a strong commitment to access to justice and wishes to provide a voice to those who might not otherwise be heard, in the family law system.
Niloufar Hariri
Solicitor
Niloufar is a dedicated Family Law Solicitor with a passion for helping families navigate through challenging legal situations. From the complexities of parenting matters to the delicate matters of property cases, Niloufar is committed to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to clients in need.
Prior to joining Wallumatta Legal, Niloufar honed her skills at reputable private family law firms, gaining firsthand experience in handling a diverse range of cases. With a client-centred approach and a deep understanding of the intricacies of family law, Niloufar is committed to advocating for the best interests of her clients and guiding them through every step of the legal process. Prior to admission, Niloufar completed a Juris Doctor at University of New South Wales and a Master of Criminology at the University of Sydney.
Danielle Jenkins
Solicitor
Danielle has practiced exclusively in family law since her admission and is experienced in dealing with a broad range of family law matters, including complex property disputes, divorce and parenting matters. She is aware that family law matters are often very stressful, and is dedicated to providing calm, empathetic and realistic advice to guide families towards the best possible outcome.
Danielle is passionate about access to justice and ensuring that legal support is accessible to those who need it.
Prior to admission, Danielle completed a Bachelor of Arts with the degree Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Macquarie University.
Sophia Lopez
SOLICITOR
Sophia has practiced exclusively in Family Law since her admission and has assisted clients in a broad range of family law matters, including property disputes, parenting, and Divorce. She is experienced in managing varying complexities such as high conflict, mental health, and substance abuse. Coming from a separated family, Sophia brings both empathy and practical insight to all matters, having a deep understanding of the emotional and logistical challenges families face during separation.
Sophia is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients by providing clear, timely and pragmatic advice. Prior to admission, Sophia completed her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Socio-legal Studies) at the University of Sydney.
Victoria
Helen Davidson
Senior Solicitor
Helen has extensive experience in combining her family law skills and her passion for social justice. Throughout her career her work has been grounded in a deep commitment to serving her community, particularly vulnerable groups, through thoughtful policy, strong advocacy, and practical support.
Her family law experience includes time in private practice as well as managing the Family Law and Family Violence team at Fitzroy Legal Service following her work as a Family and Child Protection Lawyer at Victoria Legal Aid. She is also currently Councillor at Merri-bek City Council where she served two terms as mayor.
Helen holds a Bachelor of Media Studies and a Postgraduate Law Degree and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Kehsee Ng
Senior Solicitor
Kehsee is a dedicated family lawyer who has practised exclusively in family law since admission to practice. She combines a compassionate, client-focused manner with a distinctly commercial and pragmatic approach to resolving matters efficiently.
Passionate about access to justice, she guides clients through complex and emotionally charged situations with clarity, confidence and sound strategic judgement.
She was recognised as a Australasian Future Legal Leader in 2025 for her advocacy and commitment to excellence. Clients value her practical solutions, strong negotiation skills and support.
Alexandra Dooley
SOLICITOR
Alexandra is a Family Law Solicitor committed to helping clients navigate separation with clarity, confidence and compassion. She advises on all areas of family law, including property settlements, parenting matters and divorce. Before joining Wallumatta Legal, Alexandra worked in a boutique family law firm and is currently completing a Master of Laws (Family Law). Having personally navigated the family law system, she brings genuine insight into the emotional and practical challenges clients face. Alexandra brings a strong client-centred approach informed by her professional expertise and lived experience, enabling her to balance genuine empathy with clear, pragmatic and strategic advice. She is committed to achieving early and cost-effective resolution wherever possible, underpinned by meticulous preparation, transparent communication and a sustained focus on delivering fair, durable and child-focused outcomes for every client she represents.
Rhea Warrior
SOLICITOR
Rhea supports clients through separation and family law disputes with care, empathy and practical guidance. She assists in parenting and property matters, and brings experience from working within the court environment, including as an Associate at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Prior to joining Wallumatta Legal, Rhea worked at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, strengthening her commitment to culturally safe and accessible legal services in the family law space. She has also volunteered overseas in Zambia and Tanzania, reflecting her commitment to social justice at a global level.
Rhea is passionate about access to justice and supporting clients towards fair and sustainable outcomes.
Legal Support
Cosette DeLorenzo
Legal Assistant
As a legal assistant, Cosette provides professional support across family law matters. She has a background in administration and client service and is dedicated to ensuring that each matter is handled efficiently and with care.
Cosette is passionate about family law, and values the opportunity to make a positive impact during what can often be an emotional time in people’s lives. She is committed to helping clients navigate complex and personal situations with understanding and respect.
Cosette is a strong believer in minimising barriers to legal support and takes pride in contributing to the delivery of effective outcomes for families.
Diya Sengupta
Legal Assistant
Diya is passionate about family law and increasing access to justice for people from marginalised backgrounds. She also understands how each client's individual lived experience is affected by race, culture, gender and sexuality. She is dedicated to ensuring every client feels heard and supported throughout the legal process.
Diya has a background in legal administration, customer service and student advocacy. She is drawn to the personal nature of family law and wants to help people reshape their lives through legal processes.
She understands the value of strong communication in stressful matters and approaches client communications with an empathetic lens. She aims to support families navigating the legal system by providing timely and detail orientated administrative support.
Nicole LeFevre
Legal Assistant
As a Legal Assistant specialising in family law, Nicole brings a compassionate and client-focused approach to every matter.
With a background in administration and customer service, she understands the importance of clear communication, organisation, and trust.
Nicole is committed to fairness and strives to support clients through what can often be challenging and emotional circumstances.
Meet our Board of Directors
Dr Gerry Bean
Chair
Gerry has more than 25 years' experience particularly in highly regulated industries and advises on corporate governance and ESG issues. He has advised boards of both large and small corporations, government departments and agencies, and not-for-profit entities.
Lise Barry
Director
Lise is a Professor of Law and Dean of Macquarie Law School. In addition to her roles at Macquarie University, Lise maintains her professional practice as an accredited mediator on the panel for the NSW Community Justice Centre, and member of the National Sports Tribunal. Lise teaches courses in Legal Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Daniel Ghezelbash
Director
Daniel is an Associate Professor and Director of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at the University of New South Wales, and an Honorary Professor at Macquarie University. His research focuses on access to justice, legal technology and refugee and human rights law. He is a Board member at other access to justice organisations and is the founder of the Macquarie University Social Justice Clinic.
Jenny Morgan
Director
Jenny Morgan is a Professor in Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, where she has worked since 1988. She has taught Criminal Law, Anti-Discrimination Law, Feminist Legal Theory and Legal Method and Reasoning. Jenny served as Dean of Melbourne Law School from July 2017 until February 2018, and then again for a short period in 2024 and was Deputy Dean from 2003 to 2007, and 2023-2024. She has served on numerous committees in the University, including the University Appointments and Promotions Committee.
Jenny has been a member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, a Commissioner with the Australian Law Reform Commission on their Equality Before the Law inquiry, and a Hearing Commissioner with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. She was a founding Director of the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council and a consultant to the Victorian Law Reform Commission on their Homicide Law Reform reference. She has also been a member of the Victorian Police Registration and Services Board. She is currently a member of the Board of ANROWS: Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety.
She has been on the management committee of various community organisations, including Women’s Legal, CASA House and Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service. She worked for many years with VicHealth on their violence against women agenda.
Jenny’s research interests are in the areas of violence against women, homicide, feminist legal theory, reproductive rights and law reform. Jenny is perhaps most well known for her book, with Reg Graycar, The Hidden Gender of Law published by Federation Press in 1990, with a second edition in 2002. Much of her more recent work has focused on media representations of violence against women.
Founders and friends
Wallumatta Legal was founded by DLA Piper and Macquarie University in 2021.
We have worked with a broad spectrum of organisations from within the wider legal community to build Wallumatta Legal, and the support they have provided has been immediate, affirming and generous.
Thank you to our founders and friends for their contributions and commitment, and for sharing their expertise and experiences in making justice accessible.
If you’d like to become a friend of Wallumatta Legal, please contact us at info@wl.org.au
Friends of Wallumatta Legal
