Advertise on podcast: Before the Court - Deakin Law Students' Society

Join Georgia and Katelyn as they speak to Bridget Heagney. Bridget is an Associate at marshalls+dent+wilmoth lawyers, in their Family Law team. Bridget advises clients across all aspects of family law, with experience in contested parenting and property proceedings, urgent recovery order proceedings, family violence matters, and complex property settlements involving companies, trusts, and superannuation interests.    Bridget graduated from Deakin University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Accounting). Bridget was subsequently admitted to practice in 2023.  Bridget has a particular interest in the intersection of family and commercial law and enjoys helping clients achieve practical and commercially sensible outcomes.

Join Georgia and Georgia as they speak to Eve Smith. Eve is a Family Lawyer and the Managing Partner and Founder of Umbrella Family Law. Eve has more than 20 years of experience working exclusively within family law in both Australia and England, and practises across matters including property settlements, parenting disputes, financial agreements and international family law matters. Eve is qualified in both Australia and the United Kingdom, obtaining her Bachelor of Laws from Northumbria University in 2002, and has since completed further legal education at Deakin University. Eve has also trained as a Collaborative Family lawyer, giving her a breadth of experience across both litigation and alternative dispute pathways. Eve was also a Finalist for the Lawyers’ Weekly Partner of the Year award in 2025.

Join Georgia and Oscar as they speak to Amy Yang. Amy Yang is a Personal Injury Lawyer at Henry Carus + Associates, specialising in Medical Negligence Law with a particular focus on obstetrics, women's health, and cosmetic/aesthetic procedure-related claims, as well as Public Liability, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), and Victorian WorkCover Authority claims. Amy completed her Bachelor of Laws/Commerce from Deakin University in 2023, whilst working across many roles at Henry Carus + Associates. Amy has appeared before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Magistrates' Court, the County Court, and the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Olivia Puchalski is a Senior Associate in the Shipping team at HFW’s Melbourne office, where she practises as a litigator. Olivia completed her Juris Doctor at Monash University in 2019, following the completion of her Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Criminology). Olivia began her career as a Paralegal in a global firm where she progressed through to an Associate, in which she worked in the Marine and Aviation teams. She also has experience in the public law sector as a Legal Operations Advisor to the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action. Olivia is particularly passionate about the intersection of law and technology, with a strong interest in how innovation is shaping the future of the legal profession. She brings this passion and extensive knowledge to her practice at HFW, offering a unique perspective on the evolving role of technology within the legal sector.

Join Georgia and Oscar whilst they speak with Darren Vance. Darren is the General Manager of Property Legal at Myer. Darren joined the public sector as a Solicitor in property law before moving into private practice, where he developed deep expertise in commercial, retail and industrial leasing across a number of leading firms. Darren then transitioned in-house, initially joining a major Australian retailer as Legal Counsel. Darren now leads the property legal function across a combined group of more than 50 Myer stores and multiple apparel brands, operating over 750 retail outlets across Australia and New Zealand.

Join Georgia as she speaks with Patricia Coghill. Patricia is an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and the Founder of Families in Practice Mediation Services. Patricia completed her Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University in 2019, and following this completed a Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution in 2024. Patricia was admitted in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2021.

Join Georgia and Katelyn as they speak to Hayley Gough. Hayley Gough is currently a Solicitor at the Environment Protection Authority Victoria, specialising in prosecuting breaches of the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic). In addition to her role, Hayley serves on the Executive Committee of the Agency Prosecution Section at the Law Institute of Victoria, where she supports and develops the community of government and regulatory lawyers. Hayley completed her studies at the University of Melbourne, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2023 and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Politics and International Relations) in 2019. Hayley then completed her Practical Legal Training at The College of Law Australia and was subsequently admitted to practice. Hayley is passionate about the regulatory pathway, and is committed to supporting emerging lawyers and highlighting the unique opportunities this practice area offers.

Join Georgia and Georgia as they speak to Maria Cananzi. Maria Cananzi is a Barrister who works across all areas of criminal law, as well as in relation administrative and regulatory matters, coronial inquests and occupational health and safety prosecutions. Maria completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne in 2018, following the completion of her Bachelor of Arts (majoring in International Politics and Italian). Maria began her professional career completing her PLT placement at a specialist criminal law firm, working across matters of terrorism and homicide. Following this Maria became a Judge’s Associate, then a Senior Registry Lawyer, both in the Victorian Court of Appeal. Following this Maria worked as a Solicitor for the Office of the Special Investigator, before joining the Victorian Bar in 2022.

Join Ava and Will as they speak to Katherine Plint. Katherine Plint has spent more than 40 years working and volunteering across many vocations that have shaped her life. From courtrooms across the country to the open paddocks on her farm, Kat’s life has been defined by service, resilience, advocacy, tragedy and adversity, and today we’ll hear how all of those experiences shape the work she does in working as a solicitor in domestic and family violence and child protection law. She is the recipient of the City of Ipswich Australia Day Medallion in 2009 and was Queensland’s Volunteer of the Year for Child Protection in 2012 and is an accomplished champion and advocate for water safety, author and community volunteer. Katherine studied her Bachelor of Laws from CQUniversity (Central Queensland University) from 2019 to 2022, completed her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice through the Queensland College of Law 2023, and is now deepening her knowledge in studying her Masters of Domestic and Family Violence Practice at CQUniversity and solicitor since September 2023...

Join Ava and Emilia as they speak to Eva Medcraft. Eva Medcraft is the principal solicitor at Medcraft Legal, practicing as a criminal defence lawyer. Eva graduate from CSU and began practicing in commercial law for 5 years before transitioning over to criminal law, where she now acts in a variety of matters from violent offences, drug related offences, bail applications and court appeals. Additionally, Eva is also a member of the NSW Legal Aid Panel where she provides Legal Aid services. She is also regional president of the Albury and District Law Society.

Join Ava and Will as they speak to Nicholas Donaghy. Nicholas is a Principal Solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions and an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. For 11 years, Nicholas was a solicitor in the OPP's Specialist Sex Offences Unit (SSOU), during which he managed the OPP’s response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.Following SSOU’s dissolution in 2022, he was appointed to lead the OPP’s inaugural Specialist Sex Offences Committee. He now triages and oversees sex offence matters across the OPP and delivers training and advice internally and externally. Nicholas has prosecuted hundreds of matters, including many high-profile and complex cases. Nicholas graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Laws in 2005 and then went on to complete his Postgraduate Diploma of Legal Practice with the College of Law. Earlier in his career, he served for five years as a Judge’s Associate at the County Court, working with 39 different judges - primarily with the now Deputy Chief Judge of the County Court Meryl Sexton.

Join Ava and Georgia as they speak to Jane Libbis and Eve Smith from Umbrella Family Law. Jane Libbis is a Managing Partner and Founder at Umbrella Family Law, and has worked exclusively in family law for over 20 years. Jane is also a Parenting Coordinator and provides valuable assistance in facilitating effective co-parenting arrangements. Jane graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Laws and went on to complete further studies at Swinburne University completing a Graduate Diploma in Counselling in 2010. Eve Smith is a Managing Partner and Founder at Umbrella Family Law; she has practiced exclusively in family law since her admission to practice.Eve graduated from Northumbria University in England with a Bachelor of Laws in 2002 and has since completed further legal education at Deakin University. Subsequently Eve has practiced family law and is admitted as a legal practitioner in both Australia and England and assists clients internationally. Eve was also a Finalist for the Lawyers’ Weekly Partner of the Year award in 2025.

Join Emilie and Emilia in this bonus episode as they speak to Nina Vallins. Nina is a barrister for the Victorian Bar specialising in common law, specifically institutional and public liability cases, as well as a wide range of other areas. Prior to becoming a barrister, Nina worked as a solicitor for cases involving historical child abuse and sentencing applications. Further, Nina has experience as an associate at the county court in the civil division.

Join Henry as he chats with Alice Mayne (student and former DLSS Director of Education) about all things wellbeing - this is an episode about a really important topic and is not to be missed!

Join Henry as he chats with former DLSS president Courtney McKenzie about all things time management ... crucial ahead of the upcoming assignment season!