Tania Wolff

Tania is a dedicated legal professional with a pronounced interest in addressing mental health and drug and alcohol-related criminal offences. Throughout her extensive career, she has been committed to improving the criminal justice system and fostering community responses to these complex issues. As the Director of First Step Legal since 2012, Tania has played a pivotal role in a unique health justice partnership that operates within First Step, a mental health and addiction services clinic located in St Kilda. Her leadership in this role has been instrumental in providing legal assistance to some of the most marginalised and disadvantaged members of the community. Tania’s efforts have been key in broadening the reach of health justice partnerships to encompass various service settings, including community mental health, residential addiction, family violence, and housing services. Tania is an ardent advocate of compassionate and trauma-informed legal practice. Her work encompasses a firm belief in therapeutic jurisprudence and the development of specialist courts designed to address underlying social issues. Her commitment to advancing initiatives in restorative justice and justice reinvestment reflects her dedication to not only addressing crime but also understanding and mitigating its root causes, thereby enhancing community safety and well-being.