Our Team
Terri Coleman
Principal Solicitor
Terri has a long history with the Service, initially beginning as a student volunteer, before commencing employment in 2009. She has a strong passion for working with people who are or who have experienced domestic and family violence and sexual assault; with long standing involvement in local committees and community events. She has a particular interest in Victims Services, Family Law and Estate Planning. Terri has a growing passion for mediation and is excited to be able to bring this service to the community.
Benjamin Graham
Acting Principal Solicitor
Ben joined the Service after working in Private Practice since 2015. Ben believes in access to justice and procedural fairness for all members of society. He is passionate about Criminal Law, Children's Law (Care and Protection), Family Law and Succession Law. In his spare time he enjoys attending community events, camping and reading fiction.
Sandy Steele
Coordinator
Sandy joined the Service in 2013 after relocating to Armidale from the North Coast. Sandy feels that her position as Coordinator is the best position within the Service as she has the privilege of reporting to Legal Aid NSW and CLCNSW on all the great work that her colleagues achieve throughout each year. Her love of finances, statistics and reporting against targets is certainly fulfilled within her role at NNWCLS. Sandy's passion and favourite pass-time is playing her piano.
Pauline Sazdanoff
Solicitor
Pauline has an extensive career in both the Community Legal Centre (CLC) sector as well as having worked in private practice for a number of years. Pauline enjoys helping everyday members of the community with their legal issues.
Hatem Allam
Solicitor
Hatem graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Laws. He is very passionate about access to justice and helping disadvantaged clients. He believes that everyone should have a fair go and not be discriminated against. Prior to joining the NNWCLS, Hatem worked in a Community Legal Centre where he pursues his dream to help disadvantaged clients. Hatem hopes to continue helping and supporting disadvantaged clients and be their voice while working in the NNWCLS. He is passionate about Family Law, Employment Law, Consumer Law, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship. In his spare time, Hatem enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends.
Donna Gilbert
Legal Support Officer
Donna joined the Service in November 2013 as Administration Assistant. After 2 years, she left the service to try her hand elsewhere however, found that the service NNWCLS provide to the community is invaluable and also extremely rewarding on a personal level. Donna has returned to the service as a Legal Support Officer and is enjoying being back in this position. The most rewarding part of her job is assisting the Solicitors to enable them to provide the utmost professional service that the community need. Donna also enjoys interacting with the community and being able to help people in need. She sees being a team member of this much needed service is a privilege.
Natasha Macgregor
Administration Assistant
Natasha joined the Service after completing her Higher School Certificate in 2016 locally, and having worked as an Administration Assistant and in retail for the past 3 years. Natasha has previously completed a traineeship with the Service and has since moved into the role of Administration Assistant. Natasha has a love and passion for animals and cooking.
Caitlin Kennedy
Administration Assistant
Caitlin is the newest member of the NNWCLS team, having joined us earlier this year. Caitlin completed her year 11 equivalent at TAFE in 2022, while working in retail and hospitality over the past 4 years. Caitlin hopes that completing the traineeship at NNWCLS will broaden her knowledge on the legal system and help her determine her career path in the field. In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys travelling and being at the beach.
Clare Campbell
Administration Assistant
Clare and her service assistant, Pearl, were very happy to return and help us through Natasha’s parental leave. Clare’s broad background in administrative work has again been expanded as we settle into the new ActionStep data program. She loves working with the dedicated, skilled and caring NNWCLS team and particularly being able to welcome clients. “It’s been rare privilege to work in such an important sector and gain some insight to clients with varying degrees of need, all doing the best they can with their opportunities and challenges in life, as well as the complexity and care needed to assist each of them”.
