Sheetal Deo

Sheetal Deo is an accomplished lawyer with over 15 years of experience at the crossroads of law, advocacy, and social change. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Fraser Valley in Canada and completed her legal studies at Bond University in Australia, earning a Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. As the founder and principal solicitor of Shakti Legal Solutions, established in 2020, Sheetal has introduced an innovative low-bono service model that operates on a pay-what-you-can basis. This approach leverages technology to improve efficiency and allocate more resources towards developing creative legal solutions, aiming to make justice more accessible. Sheetal’s expertise encompasses immigration, administrative, and succession law. Beyond her practice, she actively contributes to the legal community and broader society through volunteer roles on various not-for-profit boards. Notably, she was the first woman of colour elected to the Queensland Law Society’s Council, where she participates in guiding the organisation’s strategic direction and governance. Committed to fostering diversity, equity, and accessibility in the legal profession, Sheetal founded The Diversity Collective. Through this initiative, she delivers training and consulting services centred on allyship and social impact. She also supports culturally marginalised women’s leadership development through her work with the Diversity Council Australia’s RISE project. In addition to her legal and advocacy work, Sheetal serves as an adjunct lecturer and mentor at the College of Law, shaping the careers of emerging legal professionals. Her dedication to social responsibility and continuous learning has been recognised with multiple awards, including a finalist nomination in the South Asian Women in Business Award and the CEO’s Award from the Multicultural Professional Network. Sheetal Deo brings extensive practical experience and a strong commitment to inclusive practices, providing thoughtful and effective legal guidance grounded in social awareness.