Our people are dedicated to our community in the southeast

Ashleigh Newnham is South-East Monash Legal Service’s CEO, with extensive experience in community development and advocacy. She helps lead the organisation’s work to deliver accessible, place-based legal support that reflects the needs of communities across Melbourne’s southeast.

Over the past nine years, Ashleigh has played a key role in embedding community engagement, education and outreach as core parts of the service. Alongside providing free legal assistance, South-East Monash Legal Service works in partnership with schools, councils and health providers. This work ensures South-East Monash Legal Service is not just a legal service, but a partner in justice.

Ashleigh is focused on strengthening community-led approaches to justice and building more inclusive, responsive service systems.

Janine Hill-Buxton’s connection with South-East Monash Legal Service spans many years and reflects the profound impact community legal services can have. Once a client of the service herself, Janine is now the organisation’s Principal Lawyer, bringing expertise, leadership and deep commitment to access to justice.

Since joining the service in 2008, Janine has worked across a range of legal programs and leadership roles, building extensive experience in supporting people through complex legal issues. Today, she leads and mentors a large team of lawyers, students and support staff, helping to ensure clients receive high-quality legal assistance when they need it most.

Janine is passionate about creating a fair and accessible legal system. Together with her colleagues, she works every day to support people facing disadvantage, helping them understand their rights and achieve the best possible outcomes.