Carolyn Devries

Carolyn Devries, the CEO and Principal Lawyer of New Way Lawyers, grew up on a farm in central west NSW, where Sunday afternoons were spent checking the sheep in the paddocks with her family. She admired the tenacity of sheep that strayed from the flock, a trait that later mirrored her own professional journey. At 17, Carolyn moved to the city to pursue a legal education, receiving her Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. She is admitted to practice in the High Court of Australia and the supreme courts of Queensland and New South Wales. Her academic background is complemented by a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters in Human Services, focusing on non profit management. In 2009, driven by a desire to make legal services more accessible, Carolyn established Australia’s first non profit law firm. Her innovative approach has been recognised multiple times, including as a finalist and winner in various categories of the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Awards. Carolyn's work, inspired by Robert Frost's notion of taking the road less travelled, aims to assist families facing challenging legal circumstances who might otherwise lack access to necessary services. Carolyn's legal career includes roles as a Senior Associate in family and estate law at Littles Lawyers and as a paralegal at Miller and Hearn Lawyers. Her initial experience as a law clerk at Cragg Braye & Thornton laid the foundation for her successful career. Beyond her legal practice, she has completed the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, enhancing her leadership skills. Carolyn's commitment to community service extends to initiating the Facebook group Lunch with a Lawyer, providing free family law information to those in need. Her professional life remains guided by the belief that taking bold steps can lead to meaningful change.