Clare joined the Balance family as a Consultant Lawyer in June 2020. She is committed to helping individuals and families navigate legal challenges with practical guidance, empathy and a focus on achieving positive outcomes.
Clare is the Principal of CJ Legal, a practice she established in Adelaide in 2015 and now operates from Brisbane, where she lives with her Defence partner, Jason. She is passionate about supporting clients through difficult periods and providing clear, accessible legal advice.
As a Defence spouse herself, Clare has a particular interest in assisting Defence families and understands the unique challenges that military life can place on relationships, parenting arrangements and family dynamics. Her personal insight, combined with her professional experience, allows her to provide tailored support to clients facing these circumstances.
Clare’s legal career has included roles with the Department of Justice in the Northern Territory, the Public Trustee in South Australia, private practice and the community legal sector. She is also passionate about social justice and has volunteered with community legal services in every state in which she has lived. She currently volunteers as a solicitor with Women’s Legal Service Queensland.
In 2015, Clare completed her Independent Children’s Lawyer training. Prior to becoming a lawyer, she spent more than 24 years working in nursing, bringing a unique perspective and deep understanding of the human issues that often underpin legal disputes.