Our Team

Jessica Evans is passionate about access to justice, having dedicated her career to public interest law. She recognises the important role that community legal centres play in providing access to justice for marginalised and disadvantaged people and looks forward to contributing to Community Legal WA’s important mission.

Having held senior roles as a government lawyer, Ministerial adviser, and human rights advocate, Jessica brings rich legal, advocacy and non-profit experience.

Now Senior Assistant State Solicitor at the State Solicitor’s Office, she has previously held the roles of special adviser to the Premier and the Attorney General, and the chief of staff to the Minister for Education and Training.

Prior to returning to Perth in 2018, Jessica held several roles at Human Rights Watch. In Washington, DC, she pioneered a new program of work focused on international financial institutions and human rights.

As the Philippines researcher and advocate, Jessica investigated political killings, torture, and abductions and encouraged Philippine government officials to implement systemic changes to stop the killings and hold perpetrators accountable. In Fiji, Jessica worked for the feminist, human rights organisation, the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, where she investigated human rights abuses by the military government following the December 2006 coup d’état.

Jessica received her Law (First Class Honours) and Arts (Politics and International Studies) Degrees from Murdoch University and her Master’s Degree from the Columbia University School of Law, where she was a Fulbright Scholar.

Jennie Gray is the Chief Executive Officer at Women’s Legal Service WA, an agency that provides gender specific legal advice and support to improve outcomes for women in the justice systems.

Previously Jennie was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, at the Western Australian Council of Social Service, overseeing the organisation’s social policy, special projects and business development work.

Her professional career in the community sector has spanned practice, management and research roles, in a variety of contexts, including many years based in the Kimberley coordinating services delivered across the North West.

Jennie has been steadfast in her commitment to working alongside others to ensure a more just, fair and sustainable society. In addition to a Doctorate of Philosophy, Jennie has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Business.

Kathy joined Peel Community Legal Services as CEO in 2017.

Kathy’s experience has extended from large corporate business, not for profit organisations to running a small family business. Her formal qualifications are in Management, HR and IR (JP, MBus (HRM), CAHRI) but the diversity of her roles has allowed her to develop strong general management skills including financial management, operations and project management.

Kathy has been involved with NFP organisations as a Board Member and in these positions has gained strong knowledge of governance and strategic requirements.

Kathy is a Justice of the Peace and is involved in a voluntary capacity with a number of organisations. Her interest is in social justice and access to services for all.

Joanna is currently the CEO of Pilbara Community Legal Service and has been working in the community services and not-for-profit sector for 20 years.

Previously Joanna has also worked for Youth Involvement Council (South Hedland), Director at Parkerville Children and Youth Care and General Manager at Wanslea Ltd.
In my current role I represent the Rural, Regional and Remote CLCs on a Workforce Development Working group with CLWA and represent the CLC sector on Department of Justice (DoJ) Workforce Development Steering Group.
Joanna is an active participant of the ‘Better Together’ working group, representing Regionally based CLC’s. PCLS has signed an MOU with WLSWA to support the delivery of legal services to women in the Pilbara and have recently partnered to bring Supervision training to the Pilbara.
Joanna is a strong advocate for social justice and assisting those people who are vulnerable in our community. She is also passionate about professional development and learning opportunities to grow and retain staff in the Sector.
Joanna has significant Governance experience including completing the AICD Company Directors Course in 2019, ensuring compliance with the Incorporated Associations Regulations. Joanna has been active as a Board Member and Chair of Children Youth Families Agencies Association, Alliance for Children at Risk and the inaugural Children and Families Agencies of Western Australia (CAFAWA) as Chair.

Lilian joined CLWA as an Independent Board Member in 2024. Her career has specialised in public sector governance, policy, strategy and accountability.

Lilian has tertiary qualifications in Business Management (Human Resources & Industrial Relations), Arts (Political Science) and a Master of Governance and Public Policy. Lilian’s experience includes working in anti-corruption, justice, communities, emergency services, health and defence. Lilian is currently a Director in the WA Government, leading performance evaluations of state and local government agencies. She is also an active volunteer member of the State Emergency Service.

Lilian is a passionate advocate for human rights, social justice and animal rights. She was previously Vice President of Amnesty International Australia’s QLD/NNSW branch and convened the national Indigenous Human Rights Support Network (focusing on deaths in custody). Lilian was formerly a board member with the Australasian Evaluation Society and National Sorry Day Committee, and has worked with animal rescues for many years.