Emma Aldersea

Emma Aldersea is the Director and Principal Lawyer at Laneway Legal, where she has been applying her extensive legal acumen since 2018. With a profound focus on criminal, traffic, regulatory, and disciplinary matters, Emma showcases a deep commitment to client-focused legal services that not only address immediate concerns but also consider clients' future interests. Her unique expertise spans across various courts, tribunals, and commissions throughout Australia, making her an adept representative in high-profile and complex legal challenges. Emma's practice uniquely intersects criminal law and migration, offering her an insightful perspective on the potential repercussions of criminal matters on non-citizens facing visa cancellations. This distinctive intersection enables her to tailor her advice and preparation in criminal cases to safeguard her clients' immigration status. Her capacity to simplify complex legal processes empowers clients to make informed decisions about their legal journeys. She has a history of leading and managing legal teams, as demonstrated by her previous role at Emma Aldersea & Associates, and her significant contributions to Legal Aid Queensland, where she handled serious indictable crime matters, including Commonwealth fraud and drug trafficking. Her career also includes pivotal roles in institutions like Slater and Gordon Lawyers and Anderson Fredericks Turner, where she spearheaded criminal and regulatory practices, supervised junior lawyers, and handled a variety of significant cases across multiple jurisdictions. In addition to her criminal law expertise, Emma has contributed as a Principal Legal Advisor at the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, providing strategic legal advice and insights into the interplay between disability rights and the criminal justice system. Emma's foundational experience at Victoria Legal Aid shaped her into a dynamic lawyer skilled in managing a wide array of criminal cases and providing intellectual leadership on issues affecting clients with mental illness and disability. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from La Trobe University, further enriched by a Master’s degree in Disability Studies from Flinders University and international exposure at Lady Shri Ram College For Women. Emma's legal expertise is complemented by her background as a disability specialist and a former scholarship holder in hockey at the Victorian Institute of Sport, reflecting her diverse skills and commitment to professional and personal growth.