Our People

Mel has dedicated her 24-year legal career to advancing access to justice and is passionate about creating positive and inclusive workplaces where people thrive. She has significant experience in establishing Health Justice Partnerships and delivering legal services via interdisciplinary models through her previous work as Legal Director at Inner Melbourne Community Legal. Mel has been the CEO of Southside Justice since 2020 and is an MBA candidate with UNSW, majoring in Social Impact Leadership.

Jess is a lawyer who has worked in the community and legal assistance sector in practice, policy and research roles for 15 years. Jess has dedicated her career to promoting access to justice for criminalised people, and for people who encounter multiple intersecting barriers to fair treatment and legal equality. Jess has a Masters in Public International Law and has worked for Southside Justice since 2019 as a community lawyer and on establishing the Sex Worker Legal Program.