Samantha Forrester

Samantha Forrester is a dedicated legal professional with a rich background in child protection and advocacy. As Principal, she leverages over a decade of experience working with statutory out-of-home care and is a passionate advocate for disadvantaged youth and Indigenous mothers. Throughout her career, Samantha has focused on supporting vulnerable families and children, collaborating with government and agencies to address structural inequalities in rural and regional communities. Her legal acumen spans child protection law, coronial matters, family law, and criminal matters. Samantha's commitment to social justice is reflected in her volunteer work with Prison Education Projects, Youth Law, and Community Legal Centres. Her involvement with Lawyers 4 Hope exemplifies her dedication to advancing her advocacy skills, particularly addressing issues affecting disadvantaged communities and aiming to prevent Aboriginal children from entering the care system. Her professional journey includes significant roles such as Solicitor at CASPA, where she previously worked as a Paralegal. As a Therapeutic Child Protection Caseworker at CASPA Services Ltd, Samantha gained hands-on experience in Lismore, focusing on the needs of at-risk children. Her tenure with the Department of Family and Community Services (NSW) included critical roles as a Senior Child Protection Caseworker, where she engaged with vulnerable families, particularly Aboriginal communities, confronting challenges such as substance abuse and family violence. Samantha's academic achievements are impressive, with a Bachelor of Laws from Southern Cross University and a Graduate Diploma of Law from Monash University. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Science with Honours, majoring in Politics & International Studies and Human Services, further underlining her comprehensive understanding of social and legal frameworks.