Our lawyers are dedicated to helping charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises meet their legal needs efficiently, effectively - and in a manner that enables them to accelerate and enhance their impact.
Jon Cheung
PartnerBMedSc LLB LLM GAICD
Jon specialises in protecting the interests of charities and not-for-profits through his work in the areas of governance, operational and contractual arrangements, and dispute resolution.
Jon is an experienced lawyer with a background in corporate and commercial law. He advises charities, not-for-profits, and philanthropists across governance and operational areas. He provides advice to program managers, senior executives, CEOs and boards. As Managing Partner, Jon also oversees the strategic direction and business of the firm.
With a special interest in cross-cultural issues, Jon previously worked in an aid and development organisation in Mpumalanga, South Africa operating in communities across the region in response to issues arising from the effects of AIDS/HIV.
Jon holds a Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Law from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Master of Law from the University of Sydney. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and completed courses for executives at Harvard Business School and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Jon currently serves on the board of an independent school and the Asia Pacific Regional Board of the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers.
Sam Burnett
PartnerB.Media LLB
Sam specialises in safeguarding, and has particular expertise assisting charities and not-for-profits implement systems to minimise risk to children and comply with regulatory and other reporting obligations.
Sam joined Prolegis in early 2018.
Sam specialises in safeguarding, and has particular expertise assisting charities and not-for-profits implement systems to minimise risk to children and comply with regulatory and other reporting obligations.
Sam also has particular expertise advising on complaint-handing and disciplinary matters within complex governance structures, including in the context of church law.
In addition to safeguarding, Sam assists charities and not-for-profits navigate their responsibilities under discrimination and privacy law, as well as advising on challenging disputes, regulatory investigations, and public inquiries.
Prior to working with Prolegis Lawyers, Sam worked as a senior lawyer with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on public hearings focused on religious institutions. Sam was a contributing writer of the religious organisations volume of the final report, and was involved in the development of recommendations for religious institutions.
Sam holds a Bachelor of Media and a Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University.
Stephanie Judd
PartnerLLB BA (Hons I) GAICD
Stephanie assists clients with the establishment and governance of charitable and not-for-profit entities, advising on various corporate governance issues, tax concessions, regulatory compliance, and disputes.
Stephanie advises philanthropic clients across diverse sectors who are leveraging their resources to achieve outcomes at the frontiers of some of the most complex areas of social and environmental need facing our communities. She considers it a great privilege to collaborate with them to solve problems, design strategies and meet legal needs including through providing targeted advice on financing, structuring, taxation, regulatory compliance and governance. She frequently assists with the commercial aspects of our clients' needs.
Prior to joining Prolegis, she worked in a major Australian law firm in the banking & finance team, with a focus on social finance and impact investment.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, and was awarded first class honours for her thesis in Government and International Relations. She has also read theological studies at the University of Oxford (Distinction), and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Stephanie currently serves on the board of Opportunity International.
Tina Lee
PartnerB.Sc LLB (Hons) GAICD
Tina advises on the full spectrum of establishment, governance, restructuring, merging and winding up of charitable and not-for-profit entities, including advising on transfers of registration, charitable trusts, regulatory compliance and strategy, and tax concessions. She has extensive experience in preparing and updating constitutions.
With a broad range of experience in advising charities, not-for-profits and philanthropists over 12 years at Prolegis Lawyers, Tina supports her clients with strategic thinking and a clear understanding of the legal and regulatory challenges facing the ‘for purpose’ sector. Tina takes the time to understand each client's identity and purpose, and ensure that legal advice supports this (rather than the other way around).
Tina advises on the full spectrum of establishment, governance, restructuring, merging and winding up of charitable and not-for-profit entities. She has extensive experience in preparing and updating constitutions and other governing documents, including for those entities with complex governance arrangements such as in professional organisations. Tina also conducts compliance reviews and advises on charitable trusts, transfers of registration of incorporated associations, regulatory compliance and strategy, and tax concessions (including endorsement as a deductible gift recipient).
Prior to joining Prolegis, Tina worked at a major Australian law firm for over a decade advising in commercial and corporate law.
Tina has served on the boards of an independent school and a disability services and accommodation provider, both in Sydney. She is a member of the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand (CLAANZ).
Tina holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Science in undergraduate business studies from Cornell University.
Mark Dunstan
PartnerBA LLB
Mark leads our Employment Law practice and has extensive experience in Employment and Labour Law including advice, policy and contract preparation, litigation and dispute resolution, bargaining, workplace investigations and Work Health & Safety. Mark also has a specialist practice representing the interests of registered organisations under both the Fair Work Act and the NSW Industrial Relations Act.
Mark leads our Employment practice and joined Prolegis in September 2025 from a large health association where he led a multidisciplinary team.
Mark has extensive experience in Employment and Labour Law, government relations, and policy with a focus on workplace disputes, bargaining, public policy, health, local government, WH&S, and risk management. He combines legal expertise with strong people management and conflict resolution skills, aiming to be a values-driven leader in both law and society.
Anne Robinson AM
ConsultantBA LLB (Hons) FAICD
Anne Robinson is the founder of Prolegis Lawyers. Anne's areas of advice include corporate law, governance, charitable trust structuring and tax issues.
Anne has advised charities, not-for-profits and philanthropists on corporate law, governance, charitable trust structuring and tax issues across the whole range of Australia's charitable institutions.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and also has had 40 years' experience in governance of not-for-profit organisations, including as director and board chair of several significant and well-known charities, including Australia’s largest international aid and development organisation.
Anne was Deputy Chair of the Not-for-Profit Sector Reform Council and a member of the NFP Tax Concession Working Group between 2008 and 2013, and the Australian Taxation Office Not-for-Profit Stewardship Group from 2016 - 2022 . Anne is a member of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Professional Users Group and founder and Chair of the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand 2009 - 2021.
Anne’s expertise is sought by organisations across the country and is a highly regarded speaker and presenter.
Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Macquarie University.
Murray Baird
ConsultantBA LLB FAICD
Murray joined Prolegis Lawyers as a Consultant in 2021 and was formerly Assistant Commissioner General Counsel at the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Murray was the inaugural Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel at the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission 2012-2019 where he was responsible for registrations, compliance, reporting, legal and policy functions of the ACNC.
Prior to that he was Senior Partner and Chair of Moores Legal, Melbourne 1985-2012 and led the Not-for-profit group at that firm.
Murray is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors where he was on the steering committee for the development of the AICD Not for Profit Governance Principles 2019. He is a Director of the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand, a Member of the Legal Services Council which oversees the regulatory framework for lawyers in Australia, and a member of the Charities and Not for profits committees of the Law Institute of Victoria and the Law Council of Australia.
He has completed studies in advanced mediation at Bond University and the Strategic Management Program at Harvard University Extension School.
He is Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia Law School and a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School where he teaches charity law and policy.
Emma Hodgson
Special CounselBA LLB (Hons)
Emma has extensive experience advising corporate, private and government clients on a broad range of real estate matters, including acquisition and disposals, due diligence and the property aspects of M&A activity.
Emma joined Prolegis Lawyers in 2017. Prior to joining Prolegis, Emma worked in the corporate real estate groups at leading top tier law firms in both Sydney and London and at a boutique law firm in Sydney. Emma has extensive experience advising corporate, private and government clients on a broad range of real estate matters including acquisitions and disposals of commercial, industrial, retail and residential properties, the property aspects of corporate mergers and acquisitions, leasing negotiations, purchaser and vendor due diligence investigations and other general commercial and property matters.
Emma has a special interest in disability issues having acted as principal solicitor of the Disability Discrimination Legal Centre in Kingsford and as a volunteer for Association for Children with a Disability NSW.
Emma was admitted as a solicitor in 2000 and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney. She is a member of the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand.
Claire Jones
Special CounselLLB(Hons) LLM(Tax) FTI
Claire’s focus at Prolegis is on providing assistance to clients in matters of tax, structuring of charities and not-for-profits, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate governance. Claire also has expertise in the establishment of structures for both public and private philanthropy.
Claire is an experienced lawyer with extensive experience advising charities and not-for-profits in relation to complex tax questions, corporate structuring, structuring for public and private philanthropy, governance, and mergers & acquisitions since she first joined Prolegis Lawyers in 2008. Prior to joining Prolegis, Claire worked in corporate tax advisory for private equity and other mergers & acquisitions at a major international accounting firm in Sydney. Claire rejoined Prolegis in early 2024 after a period of extended leave.
Claire is passionate about equipping the charities and not for profits sector by providing appropriate and practical legal solutions to enable organisations to focus on carrying out their mission and achieving their purposes, for the benefit of those they serve. She seeks to advise those we serve in a way that is clear and accessible.
Claire holds a Bachelor of Laws with first class honours from the University of Technology, Sydney and a Master of Laws in Tax from the University of Sydney. She is a fellow of The Tax Institute. She currently serves on the board of a community preschool, and has previously served in that capacity with the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand and the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students.
Sarah Ryan
Senior AssociateLLB
Sarah specialises in trust property disputes, employment disputes, estate litigation, and personal injury litigation. She has provided litigation services to clients appearing in the Federal Court, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and in both private and court-ordered mediations.
Sarah specialises in disputes, and has particular interest in trust property disputes, employment disputes, estate litigation, and personal injury litigation. Sarah has provided litigation services to clients appearing in the Federal Court, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and in both private and court-ordered mediations.
Sarah also acts in complaint-handing and disciplinary matters within complex governance structures, including in the context of church law. In addition, Sarah has experience advising in regulatory disputes, particularly in the school sector.
Sarah also has expertise in safeguarding and in assisting charities and not-for-profits implement systems to minimise risk to children and comply with regulatory and other reporting obligations, including by assisting in audits of the child safety practices of organisations.
Sarah is committed to assisting charities and not-for-profits achieve their purposes by providing quality legal advice and assistance.
Sarah joined Prolegis as a Law Graduate in 2022. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England.
Allison Strickland
AssociateBA LLB (Hons) GAICD
Allison specialises in advising clients on corporate law and governance (including constitutions and governing documents), mergers, organisational structures, regulatory investigations and compliance.
Allison specialises in advising clients on corporate law and governance (including constitutions and governing documents), mergers, organisational structures, regulatory investigations and compliance.
Allison has a keen interest in good governance and has put this into practice in her extensive volunteer work with many not-for-profit community organisations.
Allison was admitted as a solicitor in 2007 and holds a Bachelor of Arts (English) and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Sydney and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Order of Merit).
Maddie Crethar
AssociateBA LLB (Hons I)
Maddie works in the areas of charity and not-for-profit establishment, organisational structures, regulatory compliance and policy review. Her work encompasses a wide range of organisations work in the charity, philanthropic and Not-for-profit area.
Maddie joined Prolegis as a Paralegal in 2019 while completing her studies at Macquarie University.
She now works as a Associate in the areas of charity and not-for-profit establishment and registration, restructures, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance and policy and contract review. With a strong interest in organisations that seek to do meaningful work, Maddie is committed to helping them achieve their purposes through quality legal advice and assistance.
Maddie serves on the board of an international organisation and sits on the projects and partnerships committee.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (English) and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours).
Tess Shirley
AssociateBA LLB (Hons I)
Tess works in disputes and has particular interest in governance disputes, personal injury claims, complaint-handling, and disciplinary matters.
Tess works in the disputes team and has particular interest in governance disputes, personal injury claims, complaint-handling, and disciplinary matters. Tess provides litigation services to clients appearing in the Supreme and District Courts, and in private and court-ordered mediations.
Tess also works in the investigations practice at Prolegis Lawyers, advising clients on a range of matters including child safeguarding and reportable conduct.
Prior to joining Prolegis Lawyers, Tess worked in personal injury litigation and dispute resolution, specialising in historical institutional abuse matters.
Tess was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in December 2022. She completed her studies at Macquarie University in 2021 where she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology).
Caleb Simmons
SolicitorBTh JD
Caleb assists clients with disputes, regulatory compliance and regulatory investigations and advises on the establishment and governance of charitable and not-for-profit entities, including corporate governance issues and tax concessions.
Caleb graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2021 and was admitted as a lawyer in Western Australia in February 2022.
Before joining Prolegis, Caleb worked for a boutique Commercial Law firm in Perth where he advised on a range of commercial legal problems and provided litigation services to clients appearing in the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Magistrates Court and Industrial Relations Commission.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Caleb was a Youth Pastor in Perth for several years and worked for a large national charity. Caleb's interest in the law relating to charities led him to recently publish an article on governance in religious charities in the Australian Journal of Corporate Law (2022, Volume 37(3)).
Katelyn Thierry
SolicitorBA LLB
Katelyn assists clients in the areas of charity and not-for profit establishment, re-structuring, registration and endorsement for tax concessions, including Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).
Katelyn was admitted to practise in Victoria in October 2022. She has experience in leading and serving in community organisations and undertook a board internship on a not-for-profit board receiving training and gaining experience of governance structures and processes in the not-for-profit sector.
Within the firm she assists clients in the areas of charity and not-for profit establishment, re-structuring, registration and endorsement for tax concessions, including Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Katelyn has also advised on a range of commercial legal problems including mergers and acquisitions, leases, license agreements and intellectual property.
Katelyn completed her studies at Deakin University where she was awarded the Dean’s Merit List Award for Academic Excellence, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (Distinction) and a Bachelor of Arts (Distinction), specialising in History and Politics and Policy Studies.
Frances Amato
SolicitorBA JD
Frances works in the areas of charity and not-for-profit establishment, governance, re-structuring, and regulatory compliance.
Prior to joining Prolegis, Frances worked for a not-for-profit in their corporate governance team and volunteered in the community legal sector. She currently sits on the governing committee of a small charity.
Within the firm she assists clients in the areas of charity and not-for-profit establishment, governance, re-structuring, and regulatory compliance. She particularly enjoys working with clients to review governance processes and structures to enable them to move forward with confidence.
Frances graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne in 2021 and was admitted as a practicing solicitor in April 2024.
Casey Dias
SolicitorLLB (Hons) BBioMedSc
Casey assists clients in the areas of not-for-profit establishment, charity registration, tax endorsement, governance, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution.
Casey graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Monash University in 2021. She was admitted to practice as a lawyer in Victoria in May 2023.
Casey has experience in the areas of charity registration, immigration, environmental and human rights law across various not-for-profit organisations, and government agencies in Australia and overseas. This including supporting asylum seekers applying for protection visas, assisting clients experiencing disability discrimination and advocating for women and children affected by violence in India.
Prior to joining Prolegis, Casey worked at the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, where she made decisions about registration entitlement for organisations seeking charitable status. She also reviewed Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) endorsed charities and charities with certain risk factors including those affected by changes in case law.
Casey now works as a Solicitor in the areas of not-for-profit establishment, charity registration, tax endorsement, governance, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. She is committed to assisting charities and not-for-profits meet their governance and regulatory obligations, so that they can focus on achieving their purposes.
Mercedes Crouch
SolicitorLLB
Lucy Williamson
SolicitorBA LLB (Hons 1)
Lucy works in areas of charity and not-for-profit establishment, property, governance, and safeguarding.
Lucy joined Prolegis as a law graduate in 2024.
Within the firm Lucy assists clients in the areas of charity and not-for-profit establishment, property, governance, and safeguarding.
Lucy was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in March 2025 having completed her studies at Macquarie University in 2023 where was awarded the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic achievement in Law. She graduatied with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (Modern and Ancient History).