Rebecca Harper

Rebecca is our Principal Solicitor and the founder of Harpers Legal.

Rebecca was admitted to the Legal Profession in 2001, and before opening her own practice she worked throughout the state, building expertise in Criminal Law, Family Law, and Care and Protection. With over 15 years advocacy experience in the Federal Circuit Court, Family Law Courts, Children’s Court, Local, District and Supreme Courts, Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her practice.

A strong concern for social justice and a desire to provide accessible legal support inspired Rebecca to open Harpers Legal in 2011. Through the firm Rebecca provides legal advice sessions for a number of community organisations, including women’s refuges throughout the Hunter Valley and Newcastle area, as well as clients of Family Support Services and the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.

As well as providing pro bono legal advice sessions within the Community, Rebecca advocates for fair and equitable access to responsible, quality, legal advice for service sectors addressing disadvantaged clients. She has extended her practice to provide professional training services to caseworkers employed within the Non Government sector, focusing on the role of the NGO during legal proceedings.

Rebecca is passionate about Children’s Law and is an Accredited Specialist in this area. She is a qualified Children’s Legal Representative in Children’s and Family Courts and provides a voice for children who are subject to Court proceedings.

 Her professional approach remains progressive, conciliatory and considerate of the most up to date relevant legal and social research. Rebecca dreams of one day using her considerable experience to develop a residential service aimed at providing Child Protection education and support services to young mothers at risk of child removal.

Rebecca is also the Mother of three wonderful, boisterous children who she dedicates her ‘spare’ time to. With an ongoing 10 year home renovation, she has unrivalled stamina, supreme patience and undying enthusiasm. She dreams of having the time to read more, practice yoga and return to art classes (and one day having a finished home).

QUALIFICATIONS & AFFILIATIONS

• Admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales (2001)
• High Court Register of Practitioners
• Accredited Specialist (Children’s Law)
• Accredited Collaborative Professional
• Collaborative Professionals of New South Wales (CPNSW)
• Family Law Section of Law Council of Australia
• Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association
• International Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
• ACWA Members Legal Panel
• Legal Aid Panels for Care Protection, Family Law, Criminal Law, and Domestic Violence