Australia's National LGBTIQA+ Law Association
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Our Board

Meet the dedicated leaders guiding our mission to promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion and diversity within the legal community.

Pride in LawBoard

National Board of Directors

Since July 2017, Pride in Law has worked to provide visibility, education, and advocacy around LGBTIQA+ issues in the legal profession. We represent and promote legal professionals, increase community understanding of the law, particularly as it affects LGBTIQA+ individuals, help protect the rights of individuals and advise the community about the benefits legal professionals can provide. 

In 2019, to assist our LGBTIQA+ Law Association grow nationally, Pride in Law became a company limited by guarantee for a charitable purpose. While no formal qualification in law is required, we ask that you have an appreciation of the Association’s aims and a desire to be associated with its continuing work. While Pride in Law serves as a National LGBTIQA+ Law Association, we are divided into sub-committees (‘Chapters’) corresponding with the relevant State or Territory in Australia.

At a national level, Pride in Law is wholly run by a volunteer Board of National Directors.

Current Board Members

Dean Clifford-Jones

Dean Clifford-Jones (he/him)

Founder and National Chairperson
chairperson@prideinlaw.org
Zoran Petric

Zoran Petric (he/him)

Deputy Chairperson
deputychairperson@prideinlaw.org
Christine Eldrige

Christine Eldridge (she/her)

Secretary
secretary@prideinlaw.org
Philip Jackson

Philip Jackson (he/him)

Finances
finances@prideinlaw.org
Tim Hebbard

Tim Hebbard (he/him)

Governance
governance@prideinlaw.org
Cawley Hennings

Cawley Hennings (he/him)

External Affairs (Advocacy)
externalaffairs@prideinlaw.org

Former Board Members

2022 - 2023

National Board of Directors

Dean Clifford-Jones
Chairperson
Michael Bidwell
Finance
Dr Aileen Kennedy
Governance
Julia Paino
Secretary

2021 - 2022

National Board of Directors

Dean Clifford-Jones
Chairperson
Michael Bidwell
Finance
Yasmin Murry
SECRETARY

2019 - 2021

National Board of Directors

Dean Clifford-Jones
Chairperson
Michael Bidwell
Finance
Emily Phillips
SECRETARY

2018-2019

Pride in Law Association Board

Dean Clifford-Jones
Chairperson
Michael Bidwell
Finance
Emily Phillips
Secretary

2017-2018

Pride in Law Association Board

Dean Clifford-Jones
Chairperson
Matthew Clifford-Jones
FinanceS
Sasha Purcell
SECRETARY

Pride in Law is a National LGBTIQ+ Law Association.

We are a professional membership association and cannot provide access to lawyers or advice on legal matters. If you are seeking a lawyer, please contact Legal Aid, a community legal centre or your state/ territory law society.

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Thank you

Pride in Law National Board of Directors

A special thank you to all the previous directors from around Australia. Your work, volunteering and commitment to a more inclusive legal profession was unparalleled.

Pride in Law will be forever grateful.

Dean Clifford-Jones (he/him)

National Director – Founder and National Chairperson, Pride in Law

Dean Clifford-Jones is a graduate of Griffith University – Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (2008), Bachelor of Arts (Politics, Government and Public Policy) (2008), Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Skills and Ethics (2009), Queensland University of Technology – Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management Program) (2018), College of Law – Nationally Accredited Mediation Program and Assessment (2021), and University of Queensland – Master of Laws (Distinction) (2022).

Mr Clifford-Jones commenced working in the legal profession in 2004 and was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2009. He is also admitted to the High Court of Australia and an accredited mediator.

Mr Clifford-Jones is currently appointed as a Professional Board Member on the Parole Board Queensland (2020–), having served as an acting member from 2019.

He has also acted as the Deputy President on the Parole Board Queensland.

Prior to his appointed on the Parole Board Queensland, Mr Clifford-Jones practised in both civil and criminal law, which included serving as a Judge’s Associate in Queensland (2009-10). From 2010 to 2016, Mr Clifford-Jones worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Queensland) in various legal positions, including as a Crown Prosecutor. Mr Clifford-Jones worked as a Principal Lawyer and acted as a Assistant Director at the Office of the Director of Child Protection Litigation (2016-19). In 2024, Mr Clifford-Jones was also appointed to act as a Coronial Registrar at the Coroners Court of Queensland.

Mr Clifford-Jones served as the founding member of Australia’s first National LGBTIQA+ Law Association – Pride in Law (2017), President (2017-21) and continues to be a National Director and Chairperson (2017–). Mr Clifford-Jones has been a member of the Queensland Law Society since 2004 and sits on the Domestic and Family Violence Committee (2018–). Mr Clifford-Jones is a continuing member of the Griffith Law School Visiting Committee (2021–).

In December 2020, Mr Clifford-Jones was named, by the Law Council of Australia, as the 2020 Australian Young Lawyer Award recipient. Mr Clifford-Jones’ other accomplishments include being selected to be on the Dean’s Honour Roll at the University of Queensland (2022), being the beneficiary of Griffith University’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award (AEL) (2018), Queensland Public Service Commission Diversity Scholarship Award (2018), Justice Michael Kirby Award (finalist) (2008), and George Alexander Foundation Scholar (2004-06).

Zoran Petric (he/him)

National Director – Deputy Chairperson, Pride in Law

Zoran Pretric became an Australian Lawyer in 2009 and was admitted to the NSW Bar in August 2017, with a strong clinical and commercial background in Medicine and Surgery with diverse experience in multinational Pharmaceutical and Medical Device organisations.

Mr Petric signed the Victorian Bar roll in March 2019 and now has an extensive and diverse practice, with a focus on Criminal Law.

Mr Petric regularly appears for the Office of Public Prosecutions (Victoria) conducting trial work and related appearances for serious indictable offences.

Mr Petric has often advocated for a diverse range of LGBTQIA+ clients in the criminal jurisdiction, and is passionate about diverse representation within the legal community.

On a personal note, Zoran and his partner enjoy a quiet lifestyle in the Dandenong Ranges of Melbourne, and are passionate about travel, gardening, renovating and restoration projects, and are avid computer gamers.

Christine Eldridge (she/her)

National Director – Secretary, Pride in Law

Christine Eldridge is a graduate of Queensland University of Technology – Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology). She was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2022.

Prior to commencing her role as a solicitor at Shine Lawyers, Ms Eldridge worked as a Paralegal and Law Clerk, whilst studying full-time. Ms Eldridge currently works for Shine Lawyers, where she assists claimants who have been injured in work accidents, car accidents, and in public liability claims. She finds that this area of law is at the intersection of law and psychology and is very passionate about enabling her clients to receive adequate compensation for their injuries. Ms Eldridge has a particular interest in psychiatric injuries and nervous shock claims and intends on studying a PHD in this area in the future.

Ms Eldridge has recently been selected as a Finalist for the 2024 Queensland Law Society Excellence in Law Awards – Graduate of the Year award. She has further received nominations in 2024 for the Rising Star of the Year Award – Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards, and a nomination in the Australian Law Awards.

Philip Jackson (he/him)

National Director – Finances, Pride in Law

Philip Jackson is a dedicated People & Culture professional with over 16 years of experience in people and culture, and fostering workplace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. As the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at QIC, Mr Jackson leads the charge in creating a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to bring their true selves to work.

Mr Jackson’s extensive career began with roles at various organisations, where he developed expertise in HR management, business partnering, and strategic planning. Before his current position, Philip served as a Human Resources Manager at QIC, and has also been in roles within the HR Business Partnering team, HR Operations and Business Improvement.

Mr Jackson’s holds a Bachelor of Business in Human Resources from Griffith University and has completed advanced training in strategic thinking and action from Melbourne Business School. His professional journey is marked by a commitment to continuous learning, leadership in DEI initiatives, and a steadfast dedication to enhancing workplace culture.

Outside of his professional endeavours, Philip enjoys exploring diverse cultures, and spending quality time with loved ones. His holistic approach to life and work underscores his belief in the power of diversity to drive organisational success and personal fulfillment.

Tim Hebbard (he/him)

National Director – Governance, Pride in Law

Tim Hebbard is a graduate in the Perth office of Norton Rose Fulbright and a Research Assistant at the University of Western Australia Law School.

Mr Hebbard is a passionate advocate for those from diverse backgrounds in the legal sphere, particularly from the perspective of students and those entering the profession. After joining the University of Western Australia student law society’s in the Equity portfolio, this work culminated in his appointment as the society’s inaugural Access Officer, championing the needs of students facing barriers to access due to disability, mental health and neurodiversity.

Tim completed his undergraduate degree at UWA in 2020, and graduated with his Juris Doctor at the end of 2023. A proud stepfather to his partner’s two cats, Tim spends his free time cooking, reading and, also thanks to his partner, tending to a growing collection of Lego plants.

Cawley Hennings (he/him)

National Director – External Affairs (Advocacy), Pride in Law

Cawley Hennings was admitted as a lawyer in 2007. He is also admitted in the High Court of Australia and the High Court of New Zealand in 2023.

Mr Hennings commenced his career in law working at leading litigation practices in Australia and England before moving into industrial relations. As an experienced IR lawyer and IR manager, he has represented leading industry associations, small to medium businesses, large corporations, government agencies and private clients.

Mr Hennings is currently the Managing Principal of Hennings Lawyers where he practises industrial relations and employment law.

His senior appointments include membership of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council and Committee on Industrial Legislation which developed the Fair Work Act and modern awards. He has also served as a Non-Executive Director of Carers ACT and a member of the Industrial Relations Committee of the ACT Law Society.

Mr Hennings has held senior management roles as a General Manager, HR Director and Change Manager. His experience also includes leading major projects in areas such as wage compliance, underpayments and remediation work.

Other areas of interest include coding and application development. He has created a number of niche apps including CheckPay, a precise underpayment calculation tool and iVOTEr, an enterprise agreement voting system.

Mr Hennings holds a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws and Executive Master of Business Administration. He enjoys photography, travel, rail history, genealogy and piano.

Pride in Law logo

Test (he/him)

National Director – External Affairs (Advocacy), Pride in Law

Cawley Hennings was admitted as a lawyer in 2007. He is also admitted in the High Court of Australia and the High Court of New Zealand in 2023.

Mr Hennings commenced his career in law working at leading litigation practices in Australia and England before moving into industrial relations. As an experienced IR lawyer and IR manager, he has represented leading industry associations, small to medium businesses, large corporations, government agencies and private clients.

Mr Hennings is currently the Managing Principal of Hennings Lawyers where he practises industrial relations and employment law.

His senior appointments include membership of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council and Committee on Industrial Legislation which developed the Fair Work Act and modern awards. He has also served as a Non-Executive Director of Carers ACT and a member of the Industrial Relations Committee of the ACT Law Society.

Mr Hennings has held senior management roles as a General Manager, HR Director and Change Manager. His experience also includes leading major projects in areas such as wage compliance, underpayments and remediation work.

Other areas of interest include coding and application development. He has created a number of niche apps including CheckPay, a precise underpayment calculation tool and iVOTEr, an enterprise agreement voting system.

Mr Hennings holds a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws and Executive Master of Business Administration. He enjoys photography, travel, rail history, genealogy and piano.

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