Can we help you?
Here’s a quick summary of some of the work we do.
If you’re not sure if we can help, book a free video call and we can figure it out together. If we can’t help you, we’ll put you in touch with someone who can.
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We can help you with the police, criminal courts, prisons, and your children with the youth justice and child protection systems.
We can help your family experiencing family violence by applying for intervention orders, support you and your children to report crimes, be witnesses, and help you to navigate the family violence system.
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We take on all criminal defence matters, including:
Drug Offences e.g. importing & trafficking commercial quantity
Weapons Offences e.g. prohibited person in possession of a firearm
Sexual Offences - e.g. incest & indecent assault (cf on appeal)
Offences against property - e.g. deception
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We provide advice and representation for criminal appeals at every level, for example:
Court of Appeal - Appeal against severity of sentence
Interlocutory Appeals - Appeal against admissibility of evidence
We can also help you to review a decision made by a Government agency, Department or Minister and represent you in an administrative tribunal. For example, at Mental Health and Guardianship Tribunals.
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If you are the victim of a crime, we may be able to help you obtain compensation ether directly from the offender or from the government for your injuries (including psychological), pain and suffering and financial loss (e.g. lost earnings & reimbursement for medical costs).
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We may be able to help you if you have a complaint against a police officer, a prison officer, or a human rights complaint.
Welcome,
I speak to so many people dealing with tough personal issues at the moment. Parents are getting older. Kids are struggling in school. We’re finding it harder to feel understood in our relationships. Loved ones are managing living with disabilities, mental health conditions, addiction and the effects of costs of living, family violence, lived criminal justice experience, and sexual abuse.
Trying to navigate multiple systems, the stress of going to court, dealing with lawyers as well as making difficult decisions can be too much for one person. I’ve been through some of these systems myself, and having an advocate really helped me to understand my choices and feel heard.
That’s why I created OYB. I want you and your family to be supported not only with legal advice, but with compassionate care and practical guidance. I want to build a place where people can come to recover, not just win. I hope you find that here.
Thanks and take care,
Alexis
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Be listened to
We want to hear all about your experience. How did you get here? Help us to understand your situation and how we can best help you.
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Let's organise
Let us get together all your documents and provide you with one organised shared digital file so you won’t be stuck on the phone chasing things up.
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Know your options
We’ll advise you through a series of relaxed meets, where you’ll get to ask all your questions, until you’re confident and in control.
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Be heard
Once you’ve chosen your path, we will both act on your behalf, and equip you with the tools and knowledge to become your own co-advocate. Together, we’ll make sure you’re heard.
A little lot about me.
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I’ve wanted to be a “defender” since adults have been asking “and what do you want to be when you grow up?”. I’m the glasses wearing, Friday night debating, talk-to-the-legal-studies-teacher-over-lunch kid.
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I graduated Law from the Australian National University with exceptionally average marks, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The subjects on social issues I was deeply passionate about, but I struggled to engage with the transactional ones, so I got myself a job at 19 and started appearing in court in Sydney. I went on to work throughout my studies at firms in Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide.
I had amazing experiences living in different cities, learning the practical side of law, falling in love, travelling the globe, and meeting my best friend (Rach - thanks for reading this!).
When I graduated, I did my GDLP (Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice) under Mr. Sam Abbott KC at Bar Chambers in Adelaide. It was incredible to be able to shadow Sam on criminal trials and appeals, research in the chambers library, learn how not to do things, and get to absorb such a highly respected legal mind.
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In 2017, I landed a job at the criminal defence firm Grigor Lawyers in Melbourne. It was a bustling private practice and a fantastic place to learn to run trials. I briefed many of my legal heroes including Mr. Phillip Dunn KC, Mr. Bret Walker SC and Mr. David Edwardson KC and ran cases around the country. I loved working for Al (don’t forget your notebook!) and owe many of my good habits to him.
I started my own firm Kaczmarek Grigor when I was 27. We practised criminal defence, criminal assets confiscation, victims of crime, family violence as well as administrative law. I worked with an amazing team, especially my partner Jacob whose friendship is one of complimentary opposites.
The firm survived COVID, but it had taken a toll on me personally. In isolation. with high stress, I’d neglected my relationships, health, and disconnected from my values. So I made the difficult decision to sell the practice and return home.
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Whether I’m walking along Seacliff beach, at weekly coffee with my Granny, volunteering with Seeds of Affinity, or writing in the Mortlock Wing, I feel deeply at peace here.
It is a joy to build a practice of clients with shared values; to defend their dignity, be part of their recovery, and assist them in demanding accountability.
Who knows what’s next. I’d like to do a Masters in Human Rights, get a poem published, and buy a house near the sea. We’ll see!