The Joanna Knight Scholarship was created to help make the NSW Bar more accessible for women and First Nations law students and barristers experiencing financial disadvantage. Established in partnership with the Knight family, barristers, the Australian Communities Foundation and Community Legal Centres NSW, the Scholarship ensures Joanna’s legacy of public service and commitment to justice continues through the work of its recipients.
In 2024–25, two outstanding new barristers, Madeleine Causbrook and Alex Burkitt, undertook the Scholarship. The stories of both recipients highlight how the Scholarship provided crucial financial relief at the beginning of their careers while also creating opportunities to contribute to the work of community legal centres.
Madeleine Causbrook: Contributing expertise to the CLC sector
Madeleine dedicated 87 hours of work under the Scholarship, across two major projects.
- Whistleblower protections: Madeleine worked with the Human Rights Law Centre’s Whistleblower Project alongside senior barristers Tim Game SC and Kathleen Heath. Madeleine researched and prepared detailed written opinions on the implications of recent case law for whistleblowers and legal practitioners, and provided follow-up advice in consultation with the HRLC.
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Employment law developments: Madeleine also presented a seminar for CLCNSW’s Employment and Discrimination Law Network on the High Court decision in Elisha v Vision Australia [2024] HCA 50, which clarified key principles in employment law.
Madeleine said the Scholarship gave her the chance to deepen her expertise in new areas of law, connect with colleagues at the Bar and continue supporting the community legal sector where she began her career.
Financially, the Scholarship helped Madeleine cover significant upfront expenses of starting at the Bar, including the Bar Practice Course, practising certificate, chambers set-up and court attire.
“The Scholarship has provided me with an invaluable opportunity to give back to the community legal centre sector while learning from colleagues at the Bar and expanding my areas of practice. It has been deeply personally and professionally rewarding.” – Madeleine Causbrook
Alex Burkitt: A meaningful entry into pro bono advocacy
For Alex, the Scholarship provided vital support as she commenced practice at the Bar in September 2024 following maternity leave and unpaid study time to prepare for the Bar exam. The Scholarship helped cover essential costs such as robes, insurance, the Bar Practice Course and floor fees, giving her stability and confidence in her first year.
Through the Scholarship’s pro bono component, Alex was connected with Western Sydney Community Legal Centre to assist a victim of a serious assault in appealing a refusal of victim’s support payments at the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). She drafted submissions, settled evidence and prepared the case for hearing. It was a complex and meaningful matter that Alex said broadened her advocacy experience and reaffirmed her commitment to pro bono work.
“This pro bono experience reinforced my belief in the value of accessible legal representation and the essential work of community legal centres. The Scholarship not only eased the financial pressures of starting out at the Bar, but also provided a meaningful entry point into pro bono work.” – Alex Burkitt
Continuing Joanna Knight’s legacy
The experiences of Madeleine and Alex reflect the impact of the Joanna Knight Scholarship, including:
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easing the financial challenges of entering the Bar;
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creating pathways for pro bono work and connection with the community legal sector; and
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supporting the development of barristers committed to equity, justice and public service.
In these ways, the Scholarship provides both immediate support for new barristers and lasting benefits for the community legal sector.