Violet Co blends legal and consulting to deliver unique solutions.
A social enterprise that employs a gender and cultural lens to achieve results.
Our purpose
We are a legal and consulting practice dedicated to changing the world with, and for, women and Indigenous peoples. Partner with us today!
Our approach
We work with inspiring people, on great projects to positively benefit organisations, communities and individuals.
Calm - No drama! We approach our work with our clients in a considered, casual yet professional, manner.
Responsive - We understand that things change. Our approach is flexible and responsive to our clients’ needs.
Respectful - For us listening, respecting and learning from knowledge holders in a culturally safe space is really important.
Our values
Social justice - Our work is situated in an understanding of social justice and how systems and structures impact women and Indigenous peoples. We view the world through this lens.
Focus on relationships - relationships are everything. We start with getting grounded in the organisation and culture. We prefer to work face to face (or zoom!) where possible and on Country of the client we are working for.
Support Indigenous and women-led approaches - self determination - We work in the background assisting those with cultural knowledge and authority. Our role is to support, boost capacity and capability, fill gaps - not to take over.
Kindness - We work from a base principle of kindness.
We walk the walk. Violet Co is a responsible business inside, and out.
Corporate Social Responsibility
We walk the walk. Violet Co is a social enterprise. We are a responsible business inside, and out. This gives us permission to support our clients to connect their core business to a social, environmental and ethical purpose. We lead by example.
Impact
Pro bono legal services - Violet Co is a signatory to the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s National Pro Bono Target. We were the 200th signatory! We offer pro bono and discounted rates for our for-purpose clients and support a range of initiatives focused on women and Indigenous peoples rights. In FY21 we will report our first annual results. Watch this space.
Supporting community organisations - Violet Co partners with community organisations focused on women’s and Indigenous people’s rights. We champion the NSW Women’s Legal Service and Founder Karen Iles is a member of their Fundraising Committee.
Environmental and ethical offices - The Violet Co offices are situated within Hub Australia - a BCorp organisation. Our office is a certified carbon neutral workspace using 100% renewable energy and carbon offsets. You can find out more about our environmental footprint on the Hub website.
Procurement - Violet Co uses suppliers that are environmentally and ethically conscious. We pro-actively choose to procure from businesses who meet these standards and are owned by women and/or Indigenous people.
Karen Iles
Director & Principal Solicitor
LLB | BA (Women’s Studies) | Grad Dip Legal Practice | Grad Cert Applied Law (Dispute Resolution) | Certified Mediator (NSW Law Society) | GAICD
Sole Director and Principal Solicitor Karen Iles brings 20 years of experience in the community and corporate sector. Throughout all of her professional roles Karen has focused on working with and for the protection and enhancement of the rights of Indigenous peoples and women.
Practicing lawyer with experience leading an in-house team. Experience in Industrial Relations and workplace law, corporate governance, commercial law, and legal policy.
Qualified mediator.
Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Not-for-Profit Board Director with 20-years consecutive experience.
Experience on senior executive teams.
Corporate and for-purpose sector experience: Coffey International Development, Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers, Tata Consultancy Services, KPMG Australia and Amnesty International Australia.
Experienced strategist, Corporate Social Responsibility leader, evaluator, gender equality and Indigenous programs, diversity and inclusion,
Leadership of large-scale and complex evaluations and program co-designs.