12/06/2026
✨Alumni Spotlight – Donna Woodleigh✨
✨Favourite memory from Legal Prac
My favourite memory does not relate necessarily to study, but to the collegiality, friendships and fun times that were had during Legal Prac. A particularly ‘devilish’ example was that, after one Friday night celebration, we created a large piece of art using empty beer bottles. Because of our co-location in the Art School at Hunter Street, we often felt somewhat more ‘uptight’ dressed in our suits than the freedom of expression that was demonstrated by our art school student peers. I clearly recall the sign we made for our beer bottle art for the cleaners – confirming that the piece was indeed an artwork, and not to be removed – we thought we were hilarious (from memory it only lasted a couple of days, no doubt in large part due to the smell of stale beer)!
✨Career Journey & Highlights
I have been fortunate to have had a very rewarding and stimulating career both in practice and ancillary roles primarily in Government and the NFP sector. My 3 highlights prior to my current role were as a family law mediator with Positive Solutions, including establishing a Launceston office and working closely with the legal profession in the North, as a legal advisor in the Department of Education (now DECYP) – a role that was ever-changing and broad in knowledge base, and my heart job – and long held desire – working as a Migration Lawyer with the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service. I have loved the ability to learn new areas of legal practice, and working in the NFP sector has allowed me to explore other areas of work interest like marketing, volunteer management, grant submission writing, social media management, fundraising and event co-ordination etc. I have also been able to ‘juggle’ a family of 4 children by working in roles that provide flexibility.
✨Current Role
I am currently the Assistant Director of Community Engagement for Home Affairs in Tasmania and made the move to Federal Government 3 years ago. I am part of a Vic/TAS regional team, and broader National network engaging with Australia’s multicultural communities – it is a value aligned role that I feel very privileged to hold as I work to support social cohesion in Australia. Whilst not a legal practice role, the skills that legal practice enhance – the ability to communicate clearly and confidently, including how to build trusted relationships – are skills that I utilise daily. My writing/drafting skills, advocacy and negotiation, interviewing and research skills and strategic thinking are all skills that I have used throughout my career in the various roles and that I thank my UTAS degrees and TLPC for honing them.
I recommend TLPC students consider the opportunities that Commonwealth Government graduate employment offers. As a law graduate there are so many roles that you can move into in Government – and an ability to reinvent yourself and find new challenges within a secure working environment. Keep your eye on Legal Stream | APS jobs (New build) – you can apply before you finish the TLPC! Beyond graduate roles, many of Federal Government’s legal and ancillary positions are now ‘location agnostic’ providing the opportunity all the way to SES level to work from TAS for those lawyers keen to stay in or return to Tasmania.
✨Words of advice for those unsure about commencing the TLPC?
Don’t hesitate – even if you are unsure if you want to practice law! I learned more in the @ 6 months of legal prac course in terms of practical application of the law, than I had prior. I felt ‘work-ready’ after TLPC and was hungry to put my skills in practice – and course completion increases employability. You will make new friends, benefit from Tasmania’s close knit legal community and be provided opportunities to be mentored by professionals in a way that is not always possible in other States and Territories. Undertaking TLPC keeps your options open and helps you to understand the expectations of a career in law
✨Words of advice for your 2000 self
I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult – and I can now look back on aspects of my life, in particular my working life and understand how my neurodiversity has shaped me. My words of advice to my 20 something year old young professional self, include the following wisdoms:
- You will still be learning new things at 52 (and beyond). Don’t be hard on yourself or avoid something based on fear of making a mistake, or because you are unsure. Trust what you have learned to date and ask others for support – I have found the overwhelming majority of legal practitioners to be encouraging and willing to share knowledge.
- Develop good time management and recording habits early. I have avoided roles with 6-minute recording my entire life and administrative compliance aspects of work remain my least favourite aspect!
- Shut down the imposter syndrome voice early – you are capable. We all are. You don’t get through a law degree unless you are an achiever. Back yourself.
✨Is there anything you would do differently?
My eldest son was two when I was admitted to practice, and I avoided roles that I did not think would be as family friendly. If I was admitted now, I would jump into court sooner, to give early career confidence in appearance work.
Travel more – explore ways to work and practice in other jurisdictions and then take those learnings with you.
I am currently working towards an overseas posting with the Department - as much as I have loved my career I would consider moving to Federal Government sooner to facilitate multiple overseas postings!
29/05/2026
26/05/2026
12/05/2026
11/05/2026
27/04/2026
12/04/2026
02/04/2026
03/03/2026
05/02/2026