Our Team
Terri King
Principal Solicitor
Terri has a long history with the Service, initially beginning as a student volunteer, before commencing employment in 2009. She has a strong passion for working with people who are or who have experienced domestic and family violence and sexual assault; with long standing involvement in local committees and community events. She has a particular interest in Victims Services, Family Law and Estate Planning. Terri has a growing passion for mediation and is excited to be able to bring this service to the community.
Sandy Watt
Coordinator
Sandy joined the Service in 2013 after relocating to Armidale from the North Coast. Sandy feels that her position as Coordinator is the best position within the Service as she has the privilege of reporting to Legal Aid NSW and CLCNSW on all the great work that her colleagues achieve throughout each year. Her love of finances, statistics and reporting against targets is certainly fulfilled within her role at NNWCLS. Sandy's passion and favourite pass-time is playing her piano.
Stanley Tao
Solicitor
Stanley joins the Service after having worked with disadvantaged clients at various community legal centres previously. He is determined to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable and marginalised people within our community. Stanley is passionate about Succession Law, Employment Law and Family Law. He also enjoys playing table tennis and badminton in his spare time.
Niel van der Linde
Solicitor
Niel completed his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Tasmania and his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law. He completed his practical placement at a Community Legal Centre and soon realised his passion for assisting members of the community. He has a particular interest in Criminal Law, Family Law and Estate matters and joins the Service after two years of working in private practice. Niel also has an active interest in rugby union.
Nicholas Forrest
Solicitor
Nicholas is a New England Local that is joining the team after three years with the Aboriginal Legal Service.
He is passionate about Criminal Law, Administrative law and helping those who have been historically disenfranchised from the legal system.
In his spare time, Nicholas likes to bake bread and spend time with his family.
Donna Gilbert
Legal Support Officer
Donna joined the Service in November 2013 as Administration Assistant. After 2 years, she left the service to try her hand elsewhere however, found that the service NNWCLS provide to the community is invaluable and also extremely rewarding on a personal level. Donna has returned to the service as a Legal Support Officer and is enjoying being back in this position. The most rewarding part of her job is assisting the Solicitors to enable them to provide the utmost professional service that the community need. Donna also enjoys interacting with the community and being able to help people in need. She sees being a team member of this much needed service is a privilege.
Natasha Carey
Administrative Trainee
Natasha joined the Service after completing her Higher School Certificate in 2016 locally, and having worked as an Administration Assistant and in retail for the past 3 years. Natasha has an interest in the legal system and hopes that completing the traineeship will provide her with insight, knowledge and experience in the sector; to assist in determining her legal career path. Natasha has a love and passion for animals and cooking.
