From the courtroom to the cloud: Australian women shaping law, then and now

InfoTrack
March 4, 2025

The legal profession hasn’t always been a welcoming place for women. In fact, it took trailblazers, rule-breakers, and fearless fighters to crack the glass ceiling – sometimes with nothing more than sheer determination and a well-placed legal argument. Today, a new generation of legal influencers is carrying that torch, using social media to educate, inspire, and shake up the status quo.

From historical icons to modern-day media marvels, let’s take a closer look at the women who have shaped and reshaped Australian law between 1902 and 2025.

Ada Evans: Australia’s first female lawyer

Long before hashtags and viral videos, Ada Evans was breaking barriers in a far less digital, but equally impactful way. In 1902, she became the first woman in Australia to earn a law degree, but despite her qualifications, she was barred from practicing because, wait for it, women weren’t legally allowed to be lawyers. It took nearly two decades (and some serious persistence) before Evans was finally admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1921.

Joan Rosanove: The original legal rebel

Joan Rosanove QC was one of Victoria’s first female barristers and a vocal advocate for women’s rights in law. Practicing in the 1920s, she fought tirelessly to be taken seriously in the courtroom, at a time when female lawyers were often overlooked. Despite facing open discrimination, she carved out a formidable career and later became Victoria’s first female Queen’s Counsel (QC).

Elizabeth Evatt: Champion of equality

If there’s a legal hall of fame, Elizabeth Evatt deserves a front-row seat. Evatt chaired the Royal Commission on Human Relationships between 1974-1977, producing recommendations which ultimately led to the enactment of the Family Law Act 1975. The Act also established the Family Court of Australia, and Evatt was appointed as its inaugural Chief Justice between 1976 until 1988. Beyond her judicial career, she played a pivotal role in shaping human rights laws and advocating for equality in the legal system.

Melia Benn: paving the way for Indigenous lawyers

Melia Benn, a proud Mamu and Gunggandji woman, is one of just twenty Indigenous barristers in Australia. Specialising in class actions and discrimination law, she advocates for First Nations clients in landmark cases like the Stolen Wages claims. She is deeply aware of the responsibility she carries—not just as an advocate in the courtroom but as a role model for the next generation of Indigenous women in law. A thought leader on sovereignty and constitutional recognition, Benn carries the weight of representation with determination, ensuring more Indigenous women follow in her footsteps.

Fidan Shevket (TikTok @fidan_tok): Salad slicer and stereotype-smasher

Fidan Shevket might be best known for her laid-back TikTok videos where she chops salads or prepares a platter for #Platterday while dropping pearls of wisdom. But she’s also a powerhouse family lawyer who uses her platform to demystify the legal process for everyday Australians. With 1M followers on TikTok, Fidan’s success is showing women lawyers that social media is a valuable tool for education, client connection and brand-building (on your own terms).

Chanel Contos: (IG @chanelc & @teachusconsent) Consent crusader

Chanel’s viral campaign calling for consent education in Australian schools led to sweeping policy changes and a national conversation about sexual violence prevention. Through social media, she continues to educate, challenge outdated norms, and push for a future where consent is non-negotiable. Her book, Consent Laid Bare, recently took her advocacy global.

Grace Tame: (IG @tamepunk) A voice for justice

Grace Tame may not be a lawyer by profession, but her impact on Australian law and policy is undeniable. As a survivor advocate and former Australian of the Year, she has used her platform to fight for legislative reforms surrounding sexual abuse, particularly in relation to survivor gag laws. Her fearless advocacy has pushed for greater protections and justice for survivors, proving that one voice, when amplified, can change the legal landscape.

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