The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS) is delighted to announce the appointment of Matt Fawkner as the new Principal Legal Officer (PLO). Matt has served as the Acting Principal Legal Officer for the last few months whilst we completed a comprehensive recruitment process.
We wish to acknowledge Matt’s dependable support and guidance to our legal staff during this critical time, as we’ve faced significant workloads that continue to stretch our teams.
Matt brings a deep commitment to the Top End’s remote communities, backed by over 15 years of experience and leadership in the legal system, including within our own Family Violence Prevention Legal Service.
In 2023, Matt joined NAAFLS as the Managing Solicitor of our Katherine Office, before stepping into the roles of Deputy Principal Legal Officer and Acting Principal Legal Officer. As Principal Legal Officer, Matt remains committed to providing victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence with the highest standard of legal support and advocacy.
Before joining NAAFLS, Matt served as Acting Director of the Big Rivers Families Office (Territory Families), where he oversaw vital services for vulnerable families and children in the Top End. He also held the role of Registrar at the Katherine Local Court and established strong leadership in the family violence legal sector during his time as Principal Legal Officer at the Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service (KWILS).
Matt’s legal career in the Territory began in 2011 at NAAJA’s Katherine office, where he worked as a civil lawyer, providing legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the region. His career has been defined by a strong focus on access to justice for those most at risk and often with the least access to services, particularly in remote and regional communities.
Beyond his legal practice, Matt is a passionate advocate and leader in the Northern Territory (NT) community. From 2014 to 2019, he has represented the NT on the National Association of Community Legal Centres Advisory Council and its Professional Indemnity Insurance Network.
Matt’s commitment to local community development is further evident through his involvement with YMCA Katherine, where he served as a committee member and later as the inaugural president of YMCA NT. Since 2018, he has also been an active member and broadcaster for Katherine Community Radio.
Matt holds a law degree from Southern Cross University and was admitted to the NSW Supreme Court in 2011.
