The executive team meets regularly to plan, discuss and review operational performance.
Bevan Warner
Managing Director
Bevan was appointed Managing Director of Victoria Legal Aid on 4 August 2008. He has 20 years’ senior executive experience including in Corrections and in Aboriginal Affairs where he developed an appreciation of the diversity and underlying causes of the over representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice and child protection systems. Bevan was formerly the General Manager of Legal Aid Western Australia.
Meagan Keogh
Director Legal Practice
Director for Western and Outer Eastern suburbs
Meagan oversees implementation of quality practice standards throughout the Victoria Legal Aid network. Meagan has experience in private practice and community legal centres, and with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. She is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist and was previously the Managing Lawyer of our Preston office. Meagan is currently a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialisation Board and the Legal Practices Committee of the Legal Services Board. Meagan commenced as Director Legal Practice in October 2010.
Kristen Hilton
Director Civil Justice, Access and Equity (maternity leave until January 2015)
Director for Barwon and South Coast regions
Kristen was previously the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Clearing House and has extensive knowledge of current civil law and human rights issues and the needs of marginalised and disadvantaged individuals. Kristen has practised in the private profession and in a number of community legal centres, and is currently completing a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne. Kristen commenced as Director Civil Justice, Access and Equity in November 2009.
Helen Fatouros
Director Criminal Law
Director for Goulburn region and North Western suburbs
Helen was appointed Director of Criminal Law in January 2013. She was previously employed by the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) for 13 years. She held the role of Legal Prosecution Specialist, appearing on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions in complex indictable matters. Helen has an extensive criminal law background having also been the Directorate Manager of the Specialist Sex Offences Unit at the OPP. She also led the profession-wide implementation of the Sexual Offences Interactive Legal Education Program in 2012, earning her the Law Institute of Victoria’s 2013 President’s Award, for Government Lawyer of the Year. Helen is a Commissioner to the Victorian Law Reform Commission.
Nicole Rich
Director Family, Youth and Children's Law
Director for Westernport, Peninsula and Gippsland regions
Nicole commenced as Director Family, Youth and Children's Law in August 2013 and was formerly our Director Research and Communications. She is experienced in developing legal research and policy, including as the former Director Policy and Campaigns at the Consumer Action Law Centre, and has practised in the private profession and community legal centres. Nicole is also currently the Chairperson of CHOICE (the Australian Consumers’ Association).
Tim Marsh
Chief Counsel
Director for Loddon–Campaspe and North West regions
Tim joined Victoria Legal Aid as a Senior Public Defender in 2011, after eight years at the Criminal Bar. Tim was also formerly a solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions. Tim appears regularly in Supreme Court and County Court trials and appeals, and has developed an extensive practice in mental impairment and unfitness matters. Tim is a member of the steering committee for the Victorian Law Reform Commission reference into mental impairment, and is a past legal member of the Mental Health Review Board. Tim commenced as Chief Counsel, Victoria Legal Aid Chambers in August 2013.
Cameron Hume
Director Research and Communications
Director for Central Highlands and Wimmera regions
Cameron was appointed Director Corporate Affairs in November 2014, following his appointment as Director Research and Communications in October 2013. He previously worked at the Department of Justice in project, policy and operations management roles relating to law reform and administration of the justice system. He also spent several years as a management consultant working across a variety of public sector management areas, including research and evaluation, strategic planning, corporate governance, business case development, organisational and operational reviews. This work spanned a range of social policy and operational portfolios including justice, human services and the community sector. Cameron holds a Masters of Public Policy and Management and is an independent member of the joint Finance and Audit Committee for the Sentencing Advisory Council and Judicial College of Victoria.
Elizabeth Jennings
Chief Financial Officer
Elizabeth joined Victoria Legal Aid as Chief Financial Officer in November 2011. She was previously Head of Strategic Finance at World Vision Australia. She has held senior financial roles in government and not-for-profit sectors. Her commitment to social justice is also reflected in a prior board role at the Leprosy Mission Australia and a current board role at donkey wheel. Elizabeth's qualifications include a Master of Business and a Master of Assessment and Evaluation.