The multi-time awardee highlights empathy as a key skill in these areas of the law and in leadership
Immigration Solutions Lawyers’ director and managing principal also touches on the importance of health, support, and inclusivity among women in law.
[00:00:07] Kylie Speer: Hello and welcome to Australasian Lawyer TV. I'm Kylie Speer and joining me today is Anne O'Donoghue, Principal Solicitor and Managing Director at Immigration Solutions Lawyers. Anne is a very familiar face to Australasian Lawyer TV and deservedly so. She has been named as one of the winners of Australasian Lawyers Elite Women for 2025. Welcome to you, Anne, and thank you so much for joining us once again. It's always so lovely to have you on the show.
[00:00:39] Anne Frances O'Donoghue: It's a pleasure to be here and thank you for the invitation.
[00:00:44] Kylie Speer: Well, firstly, Anne, congratulations on being named to the Elite Women 2025 list by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer. You've been recognised as an elite woman for many years now. What makes this accolade so meaningful to you year after year?
[00:01:01] Anne Frances O'Donoghue: Well, you know, it's always an honour to be recognised for this particular award, but I think I do try and promote women in the area of immigration and human rights law because I think they've got a particularly good aptitude to this area, which is complex from a legislation's point of view. You've got to have high skills in interpreting legislation and you've got to have empathy towards the client. And that's why I think women have a very important role to play in immigration and human rights law.
[00:01:45] Kylie Speer: Your profile highlights your long-standing commitment to immigration law and your advocacy for vulnerable communities. Can you share how these passions have shaped your leadership style and contributed to the achievements that led to your inclusion in the Elite Women's Special Report?
[00:02:04] Anne Frances O'Donoghue: Well, I have a very hands-on style. I still sit in on consultations with clients, with either my senior associate, Lahini Kalara or other legal staff. I think it's very important to keep your hand in in these types of circumstances. And at the end of the day, really, the reality has shaped my leadership approach is grounded on empathy, as I mentioned before, presence and accountability. I lead with the understanding that work, um, this work we're doing can alter someone's life entirely and we're always getting feedback from clients who have basically said that. In the right hands, an immigration outcome is, you know, excellent. Where it's disappointing where you say that the advice they had previously may not have been the best advice, you know, that's disappointing and where we can fix things up, we do.
[00:03:13] Kylie Speer: The Elite Women methodology emphasises recent accomplishments and industry contributions. Over the past 12 months, Anne, what initiatives or projects are you most proud of and how do you believe they have advanced both your firm's mission and the broader legal community?
[00:03:32] Anne Frances O'Donoghue: Well, I think adherence to the rule of law. I've just come back from the IBA conference in Toronto. And a woman who I admire greatly is Baroness Helena Kennedy, who has built her career on human rights, fighting for the underdog. And at the moment, we've had some very interesting cases of family violence where we can assist women who may have lost their visa because the relationship is broken down, but are still able to retain it, which is very, very important. We've noticed the growth of more emotional abuse in the family violence sector over the last 12 months rather than the physical abuse. And sometimes the emotional abuse can be worse. Also, we've acted for some people who are detained. Usually they've got Australian citizen children and a wife, and we've been pursuing these cases on a pro bono basis to assist people in these circumstances who otherwise would not get legal assistance.
[00:04:54] Kylie Speer: Being recognised among 70 outstanding female leaders is a testament to your influence. How do you see your role evolving in the coming years and what strategies do you believe are essential for fostering the next generation of female leaders in law?
[00:05:11] Anne Frances O'Donoghue: Well, I think health and wellbeing is one of the most important issues in the legal profession now, especially in the immigration sector, which is highly emotive. And I think it's important whether you're a young lawyer starting out, a senior associate, a partner level, it's very important to look at your health and wellbeing because a healthy lawyer gives good advice and planning for the longer term health and wellbeing I think is so, so important. I'm deeply engaged in complex matters. I also see the importance of investing time in guiding emerging leaders and ensuring they have the support and visibility. Now, we do several publications of which my legal staff co-author with me and it's more inclusive. We try and be inclusive with the women who are working in the law firm and give them every opportunity to advance as much as we can.
[00:06:26] Kylie Speer: And finally, Anne, reflecting on your journey and the impact highlighted in both your profile and the Elite Women Report, how, in your opinion, can the legal profession better position women for success?
[00:06:40] Anne Frances O'Donoghue: Well, I think you've got to have more than just targets. It can't be symbolic gestures. You need actual change. And as I mentioned, I've just come back from the IBA in Toronto, and women have a vital role to play in the presentation, perseverance and holding up the rule of law. And I think that is very important. And supporting women also means recognising the value of diverse leadership styles. Empathy, collaboration and emotional intelligence are not secondary qualities. They are strengths that enhance legal practice and client outcomes. Emotional intelligence is very important. You can have the best legal analysis, but if you can't sort of communicate that to your client and have that empathy with your client, especially when they're going through a very difficult time in their lives, then you're not being effective as a lawyer in those circumstances. And I think it's very important to speak to your base and be able to communicate well.
[00:07:59] Kylie Speer: Such great advice. Well, thank you so much for your time today and congratulations once again, Anne. It's always so inspiring speaking with you.
[00:08:09] Anne Frances O'Donoghue: Thank you.
[00:08:11] Kylie Speer: And thank you, of course, to our viewers for watching the latest episode of Australasian Lawyer TV. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
