Bess Smallwood
Project CoordinatorBess (she/her) has more than 10 years’ experience in the justice and community sectors, including 6 as a practising criminal defence, mental health and community lawyer.
While practising as a lawyer, Bess had a particular focus on access to justice and integrated service models, participating in or overseeing community legal partnerships at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic, hospital, homelessness drop-in centre and crisis accommodation, as well as at the Neighbourhood Justice Centre.
Outside of legal practice, Bess has undertaken policy, project and research roles relating to prison, asylum seeker and sex worker rights, access to justice and community engagement at a neighbourhood house.
Bess supports the CIJ’s work in disability justice, having previously held the role of Intake Coordinator for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Restorative Justice Program.
Bess is an Associate Board Member at Span Neighbourhood House, Thornbury, and is currently studying a Master of Community Development.