Previous Page

Our organisation

The long-term strategic direction of Legal Aid NSW is overseen by Our Board, appointed by the Attorney General.

The day-to-day management is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. The CEO is assisted by a Senior Executive.

For more information, see our Annual Reports.

Senior Executive members

Portrait of Monique Hitter, Chief Executive Officer

Monique Hitter – Legal Aid NSW CEO

BSW Dip Law

Monique began working as a community lawyer at Marrickville Legal Centre, and has worked as a lawyer in both the government and private sector. She developed the Cooperative Legal Services Delivery Model in 2004 and established new programs in the Civil Law Division for older people, prisoners and homeless people. Monique was appointed Chief Executive Officer in July 2022.

Portrait of Michael Brodie, Director, Finance

Michael Brodie – Director, Finance

B Ec, CA, GAICD

Our Director, Finance has responsibility for the budget for our whole organisation.

Portrait of Jane Cipants, Director, Client Service

Jane Cipants – Director, Client Service

BSW M Social Policy EMPA

Jane commenced in the new role of Director, Client Service in August 2016 after six years managing legal service development for Legal Aid NSW. She has many years of experience working in or for the legal assistance sector, including 11 years managing a community legal centre. Her earlier career was in social work in the mental health sector.

Portrait of Alexandra Colquhoun, Director, Family Law

Alexandra Colquhoun – Director, Family Law

BA, LLB, MA, LLM (Hons), Accredited Specialist (Family Law)

Alexandra Colquhoun commenced as Director, Family Law in November 2021.

Portrait of Jocelyn Flanagan, Director, Grants

Jocelyn Flanagan – Director, Grants

BA/LLB

Jocelyn commenced as Director, Grants in April 2018.

Portrait of Wayne Gale, Director, Information and Communications Technology

Wayne Gale – Director, Information and Communications Technology

BA (Computing) MCom (Accounting)

Wayne was appointed to his position in January 2007. Wayne’s career in information technology spans 29 years including senior roles both in the private sector providing information technology services and solutions to Government, as well as working in the government sector.

Portrait of Robert Hoyles, Director, Criminal Law

Robert Hoyles – Director, Criminal Law

EMPA, LLB (Hons), BA (His, Pol, Phil), Accredited Specialist (Criminal Law)

Robert Hoyles commenced as Director, Criminal Law in December 2021.

Portrait of Michelle Jones, Director, Human Resources

Michelle Jones – Director, Human Resources

Dip Community Organisations, BA Community Management, Grad Cert Adult Ed (Community), M Public Administration

Michelle commenced as Director, Human Resources in December 2019.

Portrait of Meredith Osborne, Director, Civil Law

Meredith Osborne – Director, Civil Law

BA (Hons), LLB

Meredith commenced as Director, Civil Law in November 2018.

Portrait of Cherie Pittman, Acting Director, Legal Services

Cherie Pittman – Director, Legal Services, and In-House Counsel

BA (Hons) Grad Dip, InfM LLB (Hons)

Cherie Pittman acted in the role of Director Legal Services from November 2021 and was appointed to the role of Director Legal Services and In-house Counsel in August 2023.

Portrait of Kimberley Wilson, Director, Aboriginal Services

Kimberley Wilson – Director, Aboriginal Services

BA, LLB

Ms Wilson was appointed to this newly created role on 8 June 2022.

Portrait of Trent Wilson, Executive Director, Digital Transformation

Trent Wilson – Executive Director, Digital Transfomation

B Comm, MBA

Key legislation governing our work

Our organisation is established under the Legal Aid Commission Act 1979 (NSW). This Act establishes Legal Aid NSW as an independent statutory body with a mandate to provide effective, efficient and economical legal services that are available and accessible to disadvantaged people in NSW.

The Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (NSW) provides a framework for employment and workforce management. We have complied with the Act and introduced a performance planning and staff development system.

The health and safety of people in our workplace are managed in accordance with section 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW).

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 (NSW) and the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2015 (NSW).