Bennett’s Strategic Partnership with the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council

We are delighted to support the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council (KAWC) through our newly established strategic partnership.

This collaboration reflects our commitment to empowering First Nations leadership and strengthening governance frameworks for Aboriginal women’s organisations across the Kimberley region.

As part of this new partnership, on behalf of Bennett, Principal Shemali Samaraweera and Solicitor Sophie Coffin (LSWA’s 2024 Emerging Lawyer of the Year) will attend as observers at the 2025 Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Roundtable United in Purpose: Governance, Solidarity and Voice taking place from 7 to 9 October 2025 in Broome, Western Australia. The Roundtable will bring together First Nations women and girls from across the Kimberley region to connect, support each other and strengthen a shared vision for the future. The insights and leadership will shape regional planning, advocacy and collective action.

Through Bennett and KAWC’s new partnership, Bennett is supporting KAWC in key operational priorities, including:

• Preparing and reviewing employment contracts to ensure fairness and compliance.
• Developing partnership agreements, contracts and memorandums of understanding.
• Reviewing and strengthening organisational policies in line with legal and regulatory standards.

We are exploring how legal support can be extended to partner Aboriginal women’s organisations and their staff, with dual access pathways and conflict management protocols. This will ensure that access to legal advice and representation is fair, transparent, and culturally respectful.

Bennett is honoured to contribute to KAWC’s mission through this newly established collaboration, helping build strong governance foundations while supporting the broader movement of Aboriginal women’s leadership across the Kimberley.

While in Broome for the Roundtable, Sophie will also have the honour of presenting the Emerging Leader Award at the Roundtable’s Women in Leadership Awards, celebrating the next generation of Kimberley Aboriginal women leaders.

Learn more about Shemali Samaraweera.

Learn more about Sophie Coffin.