Sarah Vessali

Sarah Vessali is a dedicated and accomplished legal professional specialising in family law and family violence law since the early stages of her career. She embarked on her legal journey in 1996 and has since focused exclusively on these critical areas, bringing extensive expertise and compassion to her role as an Independent Children’s Lawyer. Sarah's notable tenure as the Principal Lawyer at Women’s Legal Service Victoria spanned eight years, during which she played a pivotal role in establishing a dedicated family law practice and launching the Family Law Legal Service, the duty lawyer service at the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court. In 2008, she founded her own legal practice, where she continues to serve both private and legally aided clients, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to accessible legal assistance. Throughout her career, Sarah has actively participated in law reform initiatives, contributing to the drafting of the Family Violence Protection Act, which governs intervention orders. Her involvement in the development of specialist family violence courts and the implementation of duty lawyer services at the Magistrates’ Court in Victoria highlights her leadership in enhancing legal support systems. Sarah remains actively engaged in intervention order duty lawyering across various courts in Victoria, skilfully representing clients in court proceedings and mediations. Her appearances in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Magistrates’ Court further underscore her comprehensive legal acumen and her dedication to championing the rights and welfare of her clients.