Overview
James Farrell OAM is an extraordinarily dedicated lawyer and passionate advocate for people experiencing poverty and disadvantage in our community.
A recipient of the 2014 Churchill Fellowship and member of the Alfred Deakin Research Institute, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through social welfare and legal access programs.
Career path and highlights
Throughout his professional career, James’ outstanding capacity for voluntary work with community-based legal services has cemented his status as a leading contemporary social justice lawyer.
James is currently the Director of the Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services, the peak body representing Queensland's community legal centres, and chairs the Queensland Legal Assistance Forum.
Previously, James was the manager and principal lawyer of Victoria's Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic. He was also deputy chairperson of the Council to Homeless Persons and a director of G21, the Geelong Regional Alliance.
He has written and spoken on many socio-legal issues, including homelessness, poverty and human rights.
Mr James Farrell OAM
Lawyer and recipient of the Order of Australia, James Farrell, reflects on his education at Deakin and what influenced him to pursue a career in community law.