Estelle Petrie

Senior Associate.

Estelle is a lawyer in the police misconduct team at Robinson Gill. An experienced litigator dedicated to social justice, she acts on behalf of victims of abuse at the hands of the police and in prisons.

Fighting for police accountability

When police abuse their powers, the consequences can be serious. It is this which drives Estelle to fight for justice on behalf of her clients.

Having dedicated much of her career to law reform at the intersection of family violence and women’s rights, Estelle has a particular interest in challenging police failures in responding to family violence. Estelle is passionate about improving outcomes for women and families within criminal law and family violence systems which fail to protect them.

Estelle also acts in a range of police misconduct cases, representing victims of assault, false imprisonment, and unlawful treatment in custody.  In all matters, she ensures that her clients’ voices are heard as she fights for their right to compensation.

Improving the system

It is clear that existing systems of accountability fall short for most people experiencing police misconduct.  Never one to accept the status quo, Estelle is committed to highlighting systemic failures in order to push for changes to law and policy.

Estelle’s legal career commenced as coordinator of  a strategic litigation project at Women’s Legal Service Victoria.  Her work on economic inequality led to changes in the Family Law Act, as well as the introduction of pilot programmes at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Estelle later worked for several years at a leading international commercial law firm, before once again combining her passion for strategic litigation with family violence work as a lawyer at the Police Accountability Project at Inner Melbourne Community Legal.

Putting clients first

Estelle places her clients front and centre. She is trained in and has experience in  trauma informed practice. She takes every individual as they are, and takes the time to understand their story, no matter how difficult it may be.

A believer in the power of small details to transform a case, Estelle prides herself on drilling down into the nitty gritty of every claim, keeping her clients informed every step of the way.

Estelle is fluent in both English and French.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Arts /Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
  • Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice