Monique Hitter, CEO of Legal Aid NSW, has spent 25 years working towards social justice, a passion that started with her family’s story. She began her career at Legal Aid NSW with a maternity leave cover at their Coffs Harbour office in 1989. At the time, Hitter was working at the Australian Human Rights Commission in Sydney, but she had always aspired to work at Legal Aid NSW.
Hitter’s career has been driven by a desire to contribute to fairness in the world, inspired by her family’s history. Her father, a migrant and refugee, shared stories of the injustices he faced, instilling in Hitter a sense of sensitivity and a need for social justice. She initially worked as a social worker but soon realized that the law offered a more practical way to effect systemic change.
Quarter Century of Service
Hitter was drawn to Legal Aid NSW because of its focus on policy and law reform, which aligned with her goals. After her initial stint in Coffs Harbour, she returned to Sydney and worked as a pro-bono lawyer in a private law firm until another opportunity to join Legal Aid NSW arose. She has been with the organization ever since, climbing the ranks to become CEO in 2022.
During her 25 years at Legal Aid NSW, Hitter has seen significant changes, including a surge in demand for services. Legal Aid NSW has seen demand for its services never this high, requiring constant reassessment of priorities. Hitter explains that they have targeted their services to those who are most in need of them, across all three areas of law, and have worked on how they triage requests for assistance and allocate resources.
The cost-of-living pressures have affected various areas, including housing, income, and refugee support. Hitter notes that there has been a massive increase in volume in the care and protection jurisdiction and criminal law, with the justice system being an ecosystem where changes in one part impact others. Legal Aid acts as a safety net, and every person dealing with the justice system who has no other recourse can rely on the support of Legal Aid’s lawyers and private practitioners who help the organisation.
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Hitter describes the solicitors at Legal Aid as “the best in the business doing this work across all areas of law”, along with the other practitioners who offer their time to support the organisation. She believes that the purpose of providing legal services to the most disadvantaged is ongoing.
Resources at Legal Aid NSW fluctuate depending on necessities and the state of the economy.
Hitter’s time at Legal Aid NSW has made a significant impact on her, and she considers it her “family and home.” She does not know when she will leave, but she acknowledges that it will be hard to leave when the time comes, as she has been part of an incredible journey and an amazing team.
As she reflects on her 25 years of service, Hitter notes that the organization’s work is far from over, particularly in areas like family and domestic violence. With 80 per cent of Legal Aid’s family law work involving domestic and family violence, Hitter emphasizes the need for targeted reform to address this critical issue, and the organization is committed to continuing its work in this area, with nearly 2000 law practices in NSW supporting their efforts.
Supporting the Community
Legal Aid NSW’s partnership with private practitioners is essential in providing support to the community, particularly in rural and regional areas. Hitter explains that the organization relies on the support of nearly 2000 law practices in NSW to provide legal services to those in need. This partnership enables Legal Aid NSW to reach more people and provide them with access to justice.
