Curriculum vitae
ANDREA LAWRENCE
EDUCATION
2010:
BASIC Mediation Course Bond University, QLD
2006 – 2010: Master of Laws, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
2005:
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
2003 - 2005: Juris Doctor, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
2000 – 2002: Master of Arts (English), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
1998 – 2000: Bachelor of Arts (English, Greek & Roman Literature), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
1991 – 1997: Victoria Certificate of Education, Geelong Grammar School, Geelong, VIC
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
April 2013: Barrister, The Queensland Bar, Cairns, QLD
Andrea practises in a wide variety of family law matters in both the Family Court and the Federal Circuit
Court. Appearances include interim and final hearings in both children’s and property matters. Andrea also
appears frequently in contested domestic violence orders in the Magistrates’ Courts. She has significant
experience includes acting in child protection matters where she has both prosecuted for the Crown and
appeared for defended matters. Andrea appears as an Independent Children’s Lawyer. She welcomes
briefs in all locations, including remote areas.
Andrea is a member of Trinity Chambers.
May 2007- December 2011: Barrister, The Victorian Bar, Melbourne, VIC
Andrea appeared in all proceedings in the Family Court and the Federal Magistrates’ Court. She has a
broad range of experience in family law including children’s issues, property and child support matters.
Whilst at the Victorian Bar Andrea appeared regularly in the State and Federal Magistrates’ Courts,
Children’s Court, Family Court and the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.
Andrea’s work included:
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Drafting binding financial agreements post-separation
Appearance work in interim and final contested hearings in the aforementioned courts
Drafting and settling applications and affidavits in all family law matters
Recovery orders
Divorces
Case assessment conferences
Conciliation conferences
Spousal maintenance
Sexual abuse matters
Domestic violence matters
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Stalking matters
Legal research
2005 – 2007: Solicitor, Michael Flemming & Associates, Melbourne, VIC
Michael Flemming and Associates is a boutique law firm in Collins Street, Melbourne conducting a general
practice. Mr Flemming is a sole practitioner who, during an increased litigation workload in 2005, required
an employee lawyer to assist meeting the specialist needs of his clients. My files included ‘The Convincing
Ground’ matter in VCAT, a large ‘obtain property by deception’ matter run in the County Court, some family
law files, Nightingale Brothers litigation, litigation against Wolford AG (Hosiery) by their Australian
franchisee. This role was largely autonomous.
Scope of employment included:
 Drafting, compilation and autonomous running of files including file notes
 Hiring of administrative staff
 Managing the practice and its employees during Mr Flemming’s periods of leave to attend to his
other business responsibilities
 Drafting court documentation such as affidavits and applications
 Briefs to counsel
 Compiling appeal books and court books
 Wills
 Powers of Attorney
 Trust accounting tasks including entering and maintaining of trust ledger statements
 Bankruptcy files including preparation of documentation and court appearances
 Developing administrative and ancillary tasks
 Instructing in trials in the County and Supreme Courts, including jury ‘selection’
 Court appearances in divorces, bankruptcy matters, directions hearings and adjournment
applications
 Word processing (75 words per minute)
LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE
2005- 2007: Volunteer Lawyer, Fitzroy Legal Service, Night Service, Melbourne, VIC
Fitzroy Legal Service (‘FLS’) is a community legal service offering free legal advice at their weeknight legal
service. FLS takes a welfare perspective in its approach to law and is famous for making law more
accessible to ordinary people. It contributes to public debate on law reform and social policy development.
Tasks included:
 Legal Research and computer competency (75 words per minute)
 Organising language interpretation
 Preparation and review of file notes
 Checking for conflicts of interest, maintaining client confidences
 Drafting letters, client advocacy: providing oral and written advice in a variety of criminal,
administrative and civil matters
 Explaining complex legal principles in layman’s terms for clients from non-English speaking
backgrounds
 Communicating patiently and sympathetically with clients who have experienced trauma,
homelessness, substance abuse issues and mental illness
 Collaborating with other solicitors to find the best possible legal solutions for clients under strict
time constraints and with limited resources.
PRESENTATIONS
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Seminar topics including ‘Coming to the Bar’, ‘Life at the Bar: the good, the bad and the ugly ’,
‘Recent changes to intervention order legislation in Victoria’
Addressed the Community Legal Centres of Victoria Family Violence (Applicant) Lawyers Network
meeting about practical changes between the Crimes (Family Violence) Act 1987 (Vic) and Family
Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic)
Attendance at the Attorney General’s Community Law Partnerships Round Table 2009
Panel member at ‘Breakfast with Barristers’
SKILLS
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Excellent written skills with a proven record in producing quality research-based analytical reports
and essays
Capacity to exercise sound judgment in relation to strategic manoeuvres prior to and during court
proceedings
Highly developed oral communication skills with an ability to take instructions, consult, provide
advice, liaise, negotiate, and appear in court.
Proven leadership skills, including mentoring positions with university students and solicitors
IT/computer literate with in-depth experience of Microsoft Office and dictation
Full drivers’ licence, ability to drive manual vehicles
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
2013:
Member of the Bar Association of Queensland
Member of the Family Law Practitioners Association
Member of the Far North Queensland Law Association
Member of the North Queensland Medical and Legal Association
Member of the Cairns Business Women’s Club
Member of the Victorian Bar
Member of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland Inc
2005- 2011:
Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
2008- 2011:
Member of the Family Law Bar Association
2007- 2010:
Member of the Criminal Bar Association of Victoria
2007- 2010:
Member of the New Barristers’ Standing Committee
2007- 2011:
Member of the Women Barristers’ Association
2007-2009:
Laurence’s List (Barrister’s Clerk) List Committee Member
PRO BONO POSITIONS & CONTRIBUTIONS
2010:
Briefed by Herbert Geer in relation to their Senior Rights Legal Clinic work
2007-2010:
Duty Barrister Scheme (a Victorian Bar initiative which I have been involved in since its
inception)
2007- 2010:
Accepted referrals from Victorian Bar Pro Bono Scheme (administered by Public Interest
Law Clearing House ‘PILCH’)
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2009- 2010:
Monash University Barrister Shadowing Program
2009:
Briefed by DLA Phillips Fox in relation to their Mental Health Legal Centre work
2008- 2011:
Mentor for Victorian Women Lawyers’ and Women Barristers’ Association Law Student
Mentoring Program
2005- 2007:
Fitzroy Legal Service, volunteer paralegal and (later) lawyer at the Night Service (4 hours
per week)
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