Below are profiles of the NSW Young Lawyers Leadership Team and Executive Councillors. Members of the Executive Council who are not part of the Leadership Team are elected for a term of two years and must participate in and/or chair at least one Sub-Committee during their term.

Leadership Team

President: Will Noonan

Admitted as a Solicitor in May 2021, Will is currently a Senior Associate with a specialist wills and estates firm in Sydney CBD. He has previously worked as the Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Slattery AM AM (Mil) RAN, and as a solicitor with his dad in Bondi Junction.

 Will graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (History/Political Science) from ANU in 2020. During his studies, Will (briefly) studied at the London School of Economics and is currently completing a Master of Laws (Applied Law) through the College of Law, majoring in wills and estates. His interest in wills and estates can only be explained by nominative determinism. 

Will became involved with NSW Young Lawyers through the Eastern Suburbs Law Society, where he was been the Young Lawyers Representative from March 2023 to March 2026. To those curious about joining the ranks of the organisation, Will has found the camaraderie, friendship and support of the fellow young lawyers to be the most rewarding part of both the organisation and profession. As President, Will seeks to encourage more young lawyers and law students to join and actively participate in their local law societies and, of course, NSW Young Lawyers. A particular project Will hopes to address during his term is improving the collegiality of the profession, and to better support regional and rural practitioners. 

Outside of work, Will likes to spend time telling people they need their own will (the testamentary instrument, not himself), cooking, and spending as much time as he can with his wife and their puppy, Juno.

Vice President: 

Secretary: Marie Russo

Marie Russo is a Wollongong-based lawyer practising across Litigation, Commercial, and Criminal Law. A proud alumna of the University of Wollongong, she holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Distinction), majoring in Italian and Marketing, Communication, and Advertising. Marie is the 2025 Secretary and an Executive Councillor for NSW Young Lawyers, and also serves as Vice Chair of its Criminal Law Sub-Committee. She sits on the Board of Directors for Community Bank Wollongong, is the Immediate Past President of JCI Illawarra, and contributes as an Executive Member of the Women Lawyers Association - Wollongong Chapter. Grounded in her family's small business roots and driven by service, Marie brings purpose, advocacy, and legal strategy to every client and cause she supports.

Immediate Past President: Timothy Roberts

Submissions Lead: Jessica Lighton

Jessica is a solicitor at Clayton Utz, working in the Environment and Sustainable Development team, having started with the firm as a graduate in 2019. She works across a range of environment and planning areas, including planning pathways for energy, resource and renewables projects, regulatory compliance, biodiversity offsetting, waste management, and contaminated land. 

Jessica has been involved with NSW Young Lawyers since 2020 and is currently the Chair of the Environment & Planning Law Sub-Committee. In her various roles with the Sub-Committee over the years, Jessica has contributed to submissions on NSW planning and Commonwealth environmental reforms, as well as assisting with organising the annual Environment and Planning Sub-Committee Trivia Extravaganza which raises funds for the nominated NSW Young Lawyers Charity. Notably, the 2024 event was awarded the '2024 NSW Young Lawyers Best Community Project' for its fundraising in support of The Mirabel Foundation.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Diploma of Legal Practice and Bachelor of Arts (History/Politics and International Relations – Honours) from the University of Newcastle. Beyond work, she enjoys musicals and ballroom dancing.

Executive Councillors

Caity Suchanow

Caity is a Federal Prosecutor and was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2022. She has a strong background in legal and political affairs, with experience in international law, human rights, and advocacy.  Additionally, Caity volunteers as a Chief Operating Officer of a youth-led human rights organisation, leading initiatives, supporting queer youth leadership, policy development, and access to justice. Caity is passionate about community engagement, working with diverse groups to create meaningful change. She is particularly interested in the intersection of law, policy, and social justice, ensuring that minority communities are heard in legal and political spaces. 

Caity joined the NSW Young Lawyers as a law-graduate in 2022, actively contributing to submissions and engaging with like-minded peers. Now serving as Chair of the International Law Sub-Commitee, she continues to foster a strong community and support new professionals entering the field. 

Outside of work, Caity enjoys painting, soccer, loves to read (especially history and fantasy!) and to travel! Exploring the world as much as possible, having lived in many different countries, embracing all different experiences, cultures and people. She brings this same enthusiasm and curiosity, and fresh perspectives to her legal career, advocating for dynamic and inclusive leadership within the profession. 

Caity holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Criminology and recently completed her Master of International Law (Distinction). 

Charlotte Robinson

Claudia Robinson

Claudia is a solicitor at the Financial Rights Legal Centre, providing free legal advice to people with credit and debt insurance law issues. Admitted to practice law in both Australia and New Zealand, Claudia's work is focused on supporting marginalised communities and fostering systemic change. Claudia holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of International Studies (Distinction) from the University of Wollongong, and is currently studying her Master of Laws (LLM) through the University of London specialising in human rights. Claudia has been involved with NSW Young Lawyers since 2022, and is currently the Vice Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee. 

Claudia undertakes a range of volunteer activities in the not for profit sector. She is part of the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights' Executive Management Committee, as well as a Board Member for YWCA Australia and UN Youth Australia. 

Claudia’s work has garnered international recognition, including receiving the Education Leadership Award from the Legacy Project. She also received the Early Career Lawyer of the Year Award from the Law Society of NSW in 2024. 

Danielle Hughes

Danni was admitted in 2023 and is a solicitor at Blackwell Short, a generalist law firm in Orange. Prior to admission, Danni gained five years' experience as a paralegal.  

Danni works across a variety of practice areas including property and commercial transactions, family law, civil litigation, and crime. 

Danni joined NSW Young Lawyers in 2023 as Young Lawyers Representative for the Central West Law Society. 

Danni holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Criminal Justice (Honours) from Charles Sturt University and is enrolled in a Master of Laws with the University of New England.

Outside of work, Danni enjoys gardening, reading, and dreaming about holidays. 

Jackson Cocks

James Read

James practices in Criminal Law at Legal Aid in the Wagga Wagga Local and District Courts, where he advocates on behalf of individuals who are often substantially disadvantaged, and who are from a diverse range of backgrounds.

James was admitted as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court of NSW in 2021. He completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of New England via distance education whilst working as a law clerk at Farrell Goode Solicitors in Temora NSW.

James continued to work as a Solicitor at Farrell Goode Solicitors practicing primarily in Commercial and Property Law, before developing a passion for Criminal Law and advocacy. James’ particular area of interest is the intersection of mental health and Criminal Law.

James became involved with NSW Young Lawyers through the South-West Slopes Law Society, where he has been the Regional Delegate since 2022.

Outside of work, James enjoys cooking and taking his wire-haired Dachshund, Winston, for walks around the local Lake.

Manus Chauhan

Manus is an Assistant Director at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), specialising in competition and consumer law enforcement. With experience in consumer fair trading and competition investigations, Manus considers himself fortunate that his role aligns with his passion for fostering integrity in business practices to create a more competitive, fair, and equitable marketplace that contributes towards a better life for all Australians.

Manus has been actively involved in NSW Young Lawyers as Chair of the Public Law and Government Sub-Committee and as a delegate for the NSW Law Society's Government Solicitors Committee. Through these roles, he has contributed to policy discussions and advocacy on issues affecting young lawyers in the public sector. As an Executive Councillor, Manus aims to promote community, competence, and career development among young lawyers, ensuring they have the support and opportunities to not only survive but thrive.

Outside of work, Manus prioritises a holistic approach to his health, emphasising both physical and mental health. While Manus enjoys any form of physical exercise/torture, going for a run or hitting the gym are his go-to for physical fitness. Manus also aims to incorporate quality time with friends and family, meditation, and other spiritual practices into his daily life for the benefit of his mental health.

Monica Bayas Inglis

Milena Mitic

Milena is an Associate at global law firm, Baker McKenzie, specialising in employment and industrial relations law, where she supports both international and Australian clients to understand and manage their obligations in the workplace. She has a particular interest in workplace investigations and contentious employment matters in the Fair Work Commission, State supreme courts and the Federal Court of Australia (including class actions). She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (Bilingual Switzerland Major) from the University of Technology Sydney and was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2022.

She is passionate about fostering inclusive and safe workplaces (both for her clients or for young lawyers). As someone whose legal career started as a child translating legal documents for her migrant parents, she is a strong advocate for increasing the representation of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals in the profession, and particularly into senior leadership roles. She has enjoyed the collegiality of NSW Young Lawyers and has thrived in the intellectual debates offered by fellow councillors.

Milena joined NSW Young Lawyers in 2024. She has held the position of Vice-Chair of the NSW Young Lawyers Workplace and Safety Sub-Committee and is currently the Young Lawyers representative on the NSW Law Society’s Employment Law Committee. She is committed to supporting young lawyers and advancing initiatives that promote inclusion, diversity, and equity across the legal sector.

Outside of the law, she enjoys bushwalks and hikes, and regularly concocts various sweet and savoury treats that she shares with her friends, family and colleagues. Milena also speaks four languages – French, German, Serbian and of course, English, and has made a daily habit of fielding aggressive reminders from the Duolingo owl.

Robert Breckenridge

Robert has been a member of the Young Lawyers Criminal Law Sub-Committee since 2018 and has been the Chair since 2024. He is currently the Young Lawyers representative to the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee, and has previously served as the Young Lawyers representative to the Children’s Legal Issues Committee.

Robert was admitted to practice in 2015 and worked for an insolvency practitioner in Sydney before joining the NSW Police Force in 2018 through the Accelerated Prosecutor Recruitment Program. He is currently working as a Police Prosecutor in Sydney where he holds the rank of Senior Constable and appears in the Local, District, Drug, and Childrens’ courts.

Robert completed his undergraduate studies at Macquarie University and his postgraduate studies at the Australian National University. Outside of work, Robert is a volunteer firefighter with the NSW Rural Fire Service.