Women’s Agenda’s lawyers ‘watchlist’, featuring Karen Iles
Women’s Agenda have compiled a list of trailblazing women in Australia’s legal profession, including Violet Co Legal & Consulting’s Founder and Principal Solicitor, Karen Iles.
This list encompasses many different areas of law - from family and criminal law, to international arbitration or human rights advocacy. Their achievements range from specific cases to advancements in scholarship, AI, and legal reasoning.
These women are leading Australia’s legal innovation, breaking the mould and creating systemic change. We are proud to be part of that change.
Our team at Violet Co Legal & Consulting is made up of talented, experienced and diverse women lawyers, graduates and consultants, bringing intersectional expertise and lived experience to the forefront of our trauma-informed legal practice.
Karen Iles
Karen is recognised for her expertise and leadership in human rights and employment law - and for founding Violet Co - a woman-owned, Indigenous-led social enterprise focused on promoting the rights of women, gender diverse and First Nations people. Her tireless advocacy for police accountability and justice for victim-survivors of sexual assault, and her ongoing campaigns for reform in these spaces cement her position as one to watch in Australia’s legal sector.
Karen was named Private Practitioner of the Year 2023 by the Women Lawyer’s Association NSW and a finalist for the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year Award 2025 in recognition of her incredible work.
Karen stands alongside an inspiring cohort of legal professionals on this watchlist, who are each challenging the traditional boundaries of the law and ensuring the law continues to act as a force for meaningful, systemic change.
View the full article and list of trailblazing women lawyers from Women’s Agenda here.
Continuing the Momentum
This recognition is a testament to the growing demand for a legal system that prioritises safety, equity, and representation of those who have historically been excluded from such leadership. At Violet Co, through our legal support and our advocacy, we are trying to create a future where the justice process is an instrument for empowerment, rather than a source of further harm.
As we look ahead, our focus remains on making impactful legal solutions more accessible for those who need it most, while amplifying their voices.
If you would like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact us, or donate to the Karen Iles Sexual Assault Victims Justice Fund.
