Karmilla Chenia

Karmilla Chenia is a dedicated and dynamic Special Counsel and Practice Leader at Melino Legal, bringing extensive expertise in personal injury litigation, workers compensation, and insurance law. Her career has been marked by a commitment to delivering pragmatic legal advice with precision, always prioritising client-centred outcomes. Karmilla's diverse experience includes representing both workers and employers, as well as self-insurers and the Compensating Authority in South Australia. This dual perspective enables her to offer insightful guidance while fostering strong, solution-focused client relationships. Her previous roles include Senior Associate at Industrial Deafness Australia, where she honed her skills in navigating complex legal landscapes. At MinterEllison as an Associate, Karmilla further developed her litigation acumen. Her tenure as an Impairment Assessment Advisor at ReturnToWorkSA involved conducting medico-legal compliance reviews, critically analysing medical reports, and providing technical advice on whole person impairment disputes. She also contributed to the development of training materials and partook in drafting recommendations for subordinate legislation. Karmilla began her legal journey at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers as a Graduate Lawyer, following her traineeship in regional Townsville, which gave her a unique understanding of the barriers to justice faced by regional Queenslanders. Her commitment to accessible justice is a hallmark of her practice. Karmilla's foundational legal experiences were shaped during her time as a Law Clerk at Shine Lawyers in Brisbane. Karmilla holds a Bachelor of Laws from The University of Queensland and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from The College of Law Australia. When she's not navigating legal challenges, Karmilla enjoys staying active through long walks, gym sessions, and pilates, and indulging in her interests of cooking and reading.