Karen Iles is the Director and Principal Solicitor at Violet Co Legal & Consulting, a firm she founded to create positive social impact through a combination of legal and consulting services. With extensive experience in both the private and for-purpose sectors, Karen has led significant projects for renowned organisations such as KPMG Australia, Amnesty International Australia, and Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers. Her work focuses on providing legal advice and advocacy for women and First Nations people, particularly in areas related to equality, respect, and non-discrimination. Karen's career spans roles in corporate social responsibility and management consulting, notably at Tata Consultancy Services and Coffey International Development. Her leadership encompasses advisory and directorial positions, including her tenure as a Non-Executive Director for Our Watch and the National Justice Project. Her contributions extend to academia, where she serves as an Adjunct Professor of Practice at the University of Newcastle. A Dharug Aboriginal woman, Karen is deeply committed to advancing gender equality and racial justice, supported by her extensive background in workplace law, inclusion, and governance. Her academic credentials are robust, from a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney to a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. Karen's commitment to her community and her unique heritage is evident in her role with various boards and committees, including Women's Legal Service NSW and the Law Society of NSW's Employment Law Committee. She continues to influence both the legal profession and broader community through her work at Violet Co and beyond.
Adjunct Professor of Practice School of Law and Justice
University of Newcastle
Apr 2025 - Present • 1 year 7 months
General Editor - First Nations Law Bulletin
LexisNexis
Apr 2024 - Present • 2 years 7 months
Advisory Council Member - Sydney Women's Fund
Sydney Community Foundation
Sep 2023 - Present • 3 years 2 months
Non Executive Director
Our Watch
Jun 2023 - Present • 3 years 5 months
Ambassador
University of Technology Sydney
Apr 2023 - Present • 3 years 7 months
Policy Advocacy & Advisory Committee Member
National Women's Safety Alliance
Feb 2023 - Apr 2025 • 2 years 2 months
Employment Law Committee (Member)
The Law Society of NSW
Dec 2022 - Jan 2025 • 2 years 1 month
Non Executive Director and Deputy Chair
National Justice Project
Dec 2022 - Present • 3 years 11 months
Panel Member - National Appeals and Review Panel
Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd
Nov 2022 - Present • 4 years
Non Executive Director
First Australians Capital
Sep 2022 - Present • 4 years 2 months
Committee Member (Fundraising)
Women's Legal Service NSW
Jan 2021 - Apr 2024 • 3 years 3 months
Advisory Board Member
Teach Us Consent
Jan 2021 - Apr 2024 • 3 years 3 months
Chair Finance Audit and Risk Committee
First Australians Capital
Jan 2021 - Present • 5 years 10 months
Head of Legal and Management Consulting (Asia Pacific) Part-Time
Coffey
Oct 2019 - May 2020 • 7 months
Director & Principal Solicitor
Violet Co Legal & Consulting
Jan 2019 - Present • 7 years 10 months
Director Pro Bono and Responsible Business
Colin Biggers & Paisley
Sep 2017 - Dec 2018 • 1 year 3 months
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Australia and New Zealand
Tata Consultancy Services
May 2014 - Sep 2017 • 3 years 4 months
Manager, Corporate Citizenship
KPMG Australia
Oct 2012 - May 2014 • 1 year 7 months
Management Consultant (Health and Human Services, Government Advisory Services)
KPMG Australia
May 2011 - Sep 2012 • 1 year 4 months
National Manager Activism
Amnesty International Australia
Jan 2009 - Apr 2011 • 2 years 3 months
National Mobilisation Coordinator
Amnesty International Australia
Jan 2008 - Jan 2009 • 1 year
Community Campaigner NSW
Amnesty International Australia
Jan 2007 - Jan 2008 • 1 year
Director Campaigns
Aid/Watch
Jan 2006 - Jan 2007 • 1 year
Legal Officer
Australian Services Union (ASU)
Jan 2004 - Jan 2006 • 2 years
Legal Officer
Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (NSW Construction)
Jan 2000 - Jan 2004 • 4 years
Graduate Certificate Applied Law (Dispute Resolution)
The College of Law Australia
2020
GAICD
Australian Institute of Company Directors
2017
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
The College of Law Australia
2014
Bachelor of Laws
University of Technology Sydney
2005 - 2008
Bachelor of Arts, Women's Studies
Macquarie University
1998 - 2003
Finalist, NSW Premier’s Women of the Year Awards
NSW Premier’s Women of the Year Awards
Private Practitioner of the Year
Women Lawyers Association of NSW
Finalist Woman Lawyer of the Year
Women Lawyers Association of NSW
NSW Law Society Pro Bono Service Award
NSW Law Society
Pro Bono Service Award
Law Society of New South Wales
Last checked: 29 Jun 2026 • Checked with Law Society of NSW
