Michelle Sims is a Wadjarri Yamatji woman and mother of four. Michelle holds a double degree, being a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Criminology and Justice from Edith Cowan University. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian College of Law. Michelle is a Yorga Djenna Biddi alumni and is currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies with Notre Dame University.
Michelle previously practised as a Civil Lawyer and is now the Coordinator of First Nations Services for Legal Aid WA, where she coordinates the implementation if the Legal Aid First Nations Strategic Plan, which she co-authored, and represents First Nations Clients on Criminal Law matters. Michelle is also part of the Wester Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute Kwoperdok Yok Working Group and the Administrator of a Homeschooling Perth which has over 5500 members. She was also previously the nominated Parent Representative of the PEAC Advisory Committee in the North Metropolitan
Education District.
In recent times Michelle has worked on numerous law reform submissions impacting First Nations peoples including raising the age of criminal responsibility and investigating how children fall in the gap between Department of Communities, National Disability Scheme and the Criminal Justice System (The Crossover Children) can be better supported and diverted away from custody settings.
Michelle’s goal of becoming a lawyer was solely driven by the desire to change the Justice System from the inside, by working to improve the outcomes for First Nations Australians and advocate for them whenever possible.