Executive Committee

Justine is a medical negligence lawyer with a passion for women’s health and access to health care.

Jenna Georgopoulos is a Senior Associate in Mills Oakley’s Family Law Team. She has developed a wide practice in Family Law and has experience in all aspects of the jurisdiction, including: property matters involving asset pools with multiple corporate and trust structures and high-net-worth clients, parenting matters involving serious allegations of family violence, complex mental health concerns and high conflict parenting arrangements, child support and spousal maintenance.

Jenna is also a Member of the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals (AACP) which focuses on resolving disputes collaboratively and constructively without resorting to litigation.

Prior to her current position, Jenna was a Legal Associate to a Division 1 Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and also previously worked at the Crown Solicitors’ Office in the Child Protection Team.

Jenna has a strong commitment to the practice of family law and women in the legal profession. She is excited about being re-elected as Vice President of the WLANSW Executive Committee for 2026 and working with its Members to develop and support initiatives for women to advance their professional opportunities in the law and encourage greater collaboration amongst young female lawyers.

Allysha-Jane Merrett commenced practice at the Bar in 2024 after ten years as a solicitor. Allysha-Jane is at 8 Wentworth Chambers and specialises in family law, equity, estate litigation and commercial disputes.
Before relocating to Sydney in 2020 Allysha-Jane worked as a senior lawyer with responsibility for a large family and criminal law practice in Newcastle and appeared regularly as a solicitor advocate in the Local, District, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and Children’s Court.
Immediately prior to commencing at the bar Allysha-Jane was special counsel in a leading Sydney family law firm.
She has conducted numerous family law cases including complex financial and parenting disputes successfully drawing upon her experience and qualifications including:

• Masters of Applied Family Law (College of Law 2017);
• Specialist Accreditation (Family Law) Law Society of NSW (2021); and
• Master of Business Administration (RMIT 2023).

She is an NMAS accredited mediator (AIFLAM), Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) and is available to mediate family law cases.

Allysha-Jane is passionate about advocating for issues that women face in the legal profession, and in society more broadly. She is also keen for the legal profession to lead the way in making sustainable choices and having a positive impact on the environment.

Breeanna is an Associate at PDC Law in Wollongong, practicing in commercial and estates law. Breeanna is also the Vice Chair of the Association’s Wollongong Chapter for 2026.

Originally from the Central West of NSW, Breeanna relocated to Wollongong in 2015 and was admitted to practice in 2020 after studying at the University of Wollongong and now calls the area her home.

As a young lawyer, Breeanna is passionate about providing young lawyers with meaningful connections at early stages of their career, which is what the Association has provided for her.

Asiya is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, holding a Juris Doctor degree, and joined the Executive Committee of the WLA NSW in 2023 where she currently serves as Co-Chair of the Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Leadership Sub-Committee.

Asiya has experience in both criminal and family law and completed a research thesis on comparative succession law.

Her experience as a criminal lawyer has seen her appear in many high-profile matters in NSW, whilst her position held as an Associate at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has allowed her to understand the importance of court processes and access to justice.

Being a mother to two young children, Asiya is passionate about supporting women in the profession. She hopes to see an increasing number of diverse women in the legal profession reflected at both the bar and the bench.

Rebecca Darr is a partner at Mangioni Biggs + Co lawyers in Sydney and heads up their Property and Private Client department. Her practice focuses on providing excellent service in the fields of property and commercial transactions to private clients, business owners and developers. She also provides specialised estate planning and probate services, including disputed estate issues and has a keen interest in elder law.

Rebecca is passionate about supporting women in the legal profession and continuing the work of the founders of the WLANSW, for whom she has profound respect and admiration.

Outside of the law, Rebecca enjoys reading and crochet and as a mum of two teenagers, spends most of her time as a taxi service!

Clarissa Follan is a Specialist Accredited in Business Law, who leads the Commercial, Employment and Dispute Resolution practice area at Our Lawyers, based in Mittagong and Picton. Practising across the Southern Highlands and Wollondilly regions, Clarissa is passionate about supporting clients and colleagues at all stages of their professional and personal lives, and about strengthening the connection, visibility, and sustainability of regional legal practice.
Clarissa is keenly aware of the realities of balancing a demanding legal career with family commitments, ongoing study, and community involvement. She is a strong advocate for work-life balance, mental health awareness, and supportive workplace cultures within the legal profession.

Clarissa is the Chair of the Wollongong Regional Chapter, having assumed the role in November 2024. She is also the Vice President of the Wollondilly Business Chamber and a Past President of JCI Australia, having served as National President in 2023. Through her professional and community roles, Clarissa is committed to fostering leadership, collaboration, and growth, particularly for regional lawyers and businesses.

Angela is a respected and experienced barrister who enjoys the challenges and variety of a broad practice. She appears primarily, but not exclusively, in Family Law, Wills & Estates and Professional conduct matters. Angela provides timely, accurate and pragmatic advice and representation to clients who are often at one of the most difficult points in their lives – be that personally or professionally.

Angela regularly appears in the following jurisdictions:

Family Law. Angela appears and advises in complex property, parenting and equitable matters before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Angela appears regularly in Divisions 1 and 2, the appellate and the Major Complex Financial Proceedings and Magellan and Evatt Lists. Angela is a Leading Family Law Junior Counsel in NSW in the Doyles Guide.
Equity. Angela regularly appears in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in the Equity Division particularly in relation to wills and estates, trusts and property law.
Disciplinary proceedings. Angela regularly appears before the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), occupational division in HCCC prosecutions and appeals and stays and appeals of Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) decisions. Angela also appears in appeals of NCAT decisions in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Court of Appeal.

Called to the Bar in 2005, Penny is highly regarded for her expertise in all aspects of employment and discrimination law. With over 24 years’ experience in advocacy, advising and dispute resolution, Legal 500 and Doyle’s Guide rank Penny as a leading barrister in her areas of expertise.

Penny appears in all courts and is entered on the High Court of Australia Register of Practitioners. She is appointed as a sessional Senior Member of the Administrative Review Tribunal, as well as a sessional Member of other Tribunals. Penny is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Penny is an executive member of the Australian Labour Law Association and the WLANSW, as well as a member of the Bar Association’s Industrial, Employment, Health and Safety Committee and ADR Committee.

For more information about Penny, please visit: https://statechambers.net/penny-thew/