Carolyn Devries

Carolyn Devries, the CEO and Principal Lawyer of New Way Lawyers, brings a pioneering spirit to the legal profession. Growing up on a sheep farm in central west NSW, Carolyn was inspired by the sheep that took paths less travelled, a metaphor for her own career journey. At the age of 17, she moved to the city to pursue her passion for law, completing a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Admitted to practice in the High Court of Australia as well as the Supreme Courts of Queensland and New South Wales, Carolyn has a robust legal foundation. She pairs her legal expertise with a strong background in commerce and human services, having earned a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters in Human Services with a focus on non profit management. In 2009, Carolyn made a bold move by establishing Australia's first non profit law firm, New Way Lawyers, driven by a desire to make legal services accessible to those who fall through the cracks of the traditional system. Her innovative approach has gained significant recognition, including being a finalist and winner in multiple categories of the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Awards in 2012. Beyond her legal practice, Carolyn is a prominent voice at legal and community events, and she spearheaded the Lunch with a Lawyer initiative on Facebook to provide free family law information to those in need. Despite her impactful career, Carolyn remains modest about her achievements. Inspired by the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, she reflects on her path in the legal world as one less travelled, driven by the hope that her efforts will make a lasting difference for families facing challenging legal circumstances.