RACHEL HEW

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Criminology) from the University of Queensland. She was the recipient of the University of Queensland Law Society Medal for Outstanding Achievement, awarded to the most outstanding graduate selected by the Head of the Law School after consultation with the President of the University of Queensland Law Society.  

Rachel accepts briefs in all areas of criminal law, domestic violence, mental health, family law and child protection as well as personal injuries and coronial inquests.  She also accepts briefs for applications in the Supreme Court pursuant to the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act (2003).

Prior to being called to the bar, Rachel was employed as a solicitor at Legal Aid Queensland for some 7 years. 

Prior to this, Rachel lived in the Hague as part of the prosecution team for the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). 

In 2016, Rachel was appointed as the Associate to His Honour Judge Brendan Butler AM SC in the District Court. In 2017, Rachel was a finalist in the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland (WLAQ) Emergent Woman Lawyer of the Year Award. 

Rachel is experienced in representing some of the most vulnerable people in the State. In addition to her courtroom advocacy experience, she has prepared and personally appeared in over one hundred Mental Health Review Tribunal hearings for Forensic Order reviews, treatment authority reviews, fitness for trial applications and electro-convulsive therapy applications, routinely involving the cross-examination of medical experts. 

Rachel has also previously worked as a research assistant for the University of Queensland TC Beirne School of Law in the area of immigration and refugee law.  

Rachel was called to the private Bar in 2023 and invited to join Lilley Chambers, working primarily from our Brisbane Chambers, as well as our Ipswich Chambers.  

Rachel is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland (FLPA), Law Right, the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland (WLAQ) and the University of Queensland Law Alumni Association (UQLA).