Hayley Fox | From Courtrooms to Communities

Hayley Fox is a passionate advocate for justice and equality, who graduated from QUT with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2019. Since then, Hayley has carved out an impactful career as a criminal lawyer with Legal Aid Queensland, where she works tirelessly to improve access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities across Far North Queensland. In this Q&A, Hayley shares insights into her journey from student to advocate, the challenges of working in rural communities, and her advice for alumni eager to make a difference in their own fields.

Your journey from QUT to becoming a Criminal Lawyer with Legal Aid Queensland is remarkable. Can you share what inspired you to pursue this path?

Getting through university was a feat in and of itself. When I got to the end, I thought, “What now?” During my studies, I had worked in family law in Brisbane City and while I enjoyed it, something was missing. I relocated to Bundaberg for a short time and then to Ipswich. I was working as a Court Officer for the Department of Youth Justice when I found my true passion: helping disadvantaged people whose life circumstances, circumstances beyond their control, had found themselves in trouble with the law. I moved to Cairns in 2020 and started a job at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Legal Services, before starting with Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) in Cairns in 2022. I’ve never looked back!

Improving access to justice for low-socioeconomic groups and rural communities is a significant challenge. What are some of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced, and how have you addressed them?

Effective communication is so important when helping and representing vulnerable people. Sometimes communication barriers include things like different educational levels, or the obvious one: different first languages. An additional obstacle is the lack of modern technology in rural/regional communities. Sometimes, a client in a remote community will have no mobile phone, no internet, and literacy issues, making communication and instruction-taking difficult to achieve remotely. I always try my best to work with Community Justice Groups to help establish a stable video link with clients. Other times, I have applied for an extension of Legal Aid funding to allow me to travel to remote communities to speak with disadvantaged clients.

What advice would you give to alumni who are passionate about making a difference in their communities?

Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. It was daunting for me to relocate to a town where I didn’t know a single person, but it was the best thing I could have done. I knew I wanted to make a difference in a rural community, but I couldn’t have done that without seeing those communities firsthand. If you want to make an impact, my advice is to go and experience the place you’re considering working first. Talk to the people who live there, or to those who are affected by your cause. You can’t move forward without knowing where you’re starting from.

Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone! It was daunting to relocate to a town where I didn’t know a single person, but it was the best thing I could have done.

How do you see the role of legal aid evolving over the next decade, especially in supporting marginalised communities in Australia?

At its core, Legal Aid Queensland is all about providing legal services to financially disadvantaged members of the community. Whether that’s a lawyer representing you in court, or getting free legal advice or information, the organisation exists to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people protect their legal rights. That’s what they've done for decades, and I can’t see that mission changing. I think we will see the organisation continue to focus on innovative ways to reach people and communities in need, either through the use of technology (where possible) or by offering unique services and programs to meet specific legal needs.

Can you share a few success stories from your work that have particularly inspired you and reinforced your commitment to this cause?

One of my very first clients was a young Indigenous man who had found himself in trouble with the law in a minor way. He had lost his job as a result of being charged with a criminal offence and things had started to spiral for him. At sentence, I successfully advocated that he could be appropriately punished and rehabilitated by performing community service. He completed the order without any contravention and, at the end of his order, was offered a job. I still see him around Cairns, working, and doing well. I’ve never seen him return to court.

More recently, I represented a refugee who had experienced significant violence and trauma in her home country. She had been charged with a criminal offence that had arisen because of her behaviour in response to a person in a position of authority. I obtained a psychiatric report which explained that her complex PTSD had contributed to her offending. I explained this to the Magistrate on her behalf, among other things, to provide greater context to the Court when imposing a sentence.

Reflecting on your time at QUT, what experiences were most valuable in your career as a criminal lawyer and advocate for justice?

I really valued my time as an ambassador for QUT’s Learning Potential Fund (LPF). As a scholarship recipient myself, I always knew the impact financial assistance could have on a person. But the LPF was more than that to me: it was networking experience, skill-building, and learning about other people and their own backgrounds. I feel like the LPF shaped how I communicate with people. This has been so helpful in my career as a criminal lawyer. Every client is different and it’s important that I know how to speak with and connect to people from all walks of life.

Balancing a demanding career with personal commitments can be challenging. How do you manage to maintain this balance while driving impact in your work?

I make an effort to make time for myself outside of work. I enjoy switching off by going to a Pilates class or having dinner with my friends and family. It’s important to take time for yourself so you can avoid burnout and work more efficiently.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future, and how do you plan to continue accelerating your impact, especially with your aspirations to become a barrister?

I’m looking at undertaking the bar exams in the next couple of years. I’d love to work as an in-house counsel for Legal Aid because I love the organisation and what it stands for. Even if I work within the private bar, my focus would be on accepting legally aided briefs from LAQ and other community legal services, such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service.

QUT degree – Bachelor of Law (Honours)
Do you have a question for Hayley? Connect with her on LinkedIn.