Katie Richards

Katie Richards is a dynamic lawyer whose career blends entrepreneurship, legal expertise, and a passion for innovation. As the Principal and founder of Virtual Legal, she has revolutionised access to legal services across Australia, ensuring clients receive seamless support without the need to leave their homes or offices. Her emphasis on systematisation and efficiency underpins her approach, allowing her firm to offer competitive fixed fees for a wide array of services, including conveyancing, leasing, franchising, business transactions, and estate planning. Katie's extensive experience as a commercial solicitor includes her tenure as a legal advisor to major corporations such as Domino's Pizza, National Australia Bank, and GE Mining. Her ability to navigate commercial legal matters in diverse cultural contexts is well-refined, having transacted in regions including the USA, Europe, and the Middle East. Her role often involved crafting socially considerate commercial contracts and managing enterprise risk with a forward-thinking approach. As CEO of Law On Earth™, Katie has further distinguished herself by developing a unique telelaw platform that empowers businesses and the general public to manage legal agreements with greater control and understanding. This innovative service facilitates swift access to legal advice, enabling cost-effective decision-making while ensuring professional indemnity security for video consultations. Katie's previous roles have equipped her with a robust skill set in legal counsel, financial structuring, and company governance. Her proactive approach at Industrea, acquired by GE Mining, involved intricate dealings with commercial contracts and risk management post-merger. Additionally, her strategic insights at the National Australia Bank enabled her to manage substantial client portfolios and advise on company restructuring to enhance financial flexibility. Her academic background includes advanced qualifications in corporate governance and law, which complement her diverse legal practice and consultancy roles. Katie Richards remains committed to broadening access to legal services, leveraging technology to break down geographical and financial barriers, and looks forward to expanding her innovative platforms into New Zealand.