Marni is a paralegal, working in the Port Macquarie and Laurieton offices of Stacks Law Firm. She is currently completing her law studies at the University of New England, as well as a business degree majoring in human resources management.
After intending to pursue a career in human resources, Marni switched to law during her gap year while working as a receptionist at a law firm in Port Macquarie.
She worked at the firm for two years before becoming a Student Advocate for the University of New England’s student support association Life, Advocacy and Welfare. She began as an assistant with Stacks in 2021 while studying for her law degree.
Marni has gained experience in family law by assisting Felicity Marchant and Ashleigh Flanagan in the family law team. She very quickly developed a keen interest in family law and hopes to practice in this area when she is admitted.
Marni finds it rewarding to help people navigate a particularly tumultuous period in their lives and achieve the best available outcome for them.
Understanding the emotional aspect of family law matters, Marni prides herself on keeping her clients updated every step of the way. She enjoys the fact that each matter in family law presents a different set of legal challenges, which means she is constantly expanding her knowledge.
In 2024, Marni assisted Ashleigh Flanagan on a parenting matter which saw the client succeed in her application for an urgent recovery order.
Having gained much of her legal experience during the Covid pandemic, Marni felt fortunate to attend a final hearing in a parenting matter in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in Newcastle. It was illuminating for her to watch how the matter played out in a “real” court room, compared to the virtual court rooms which were the norm during the pandemic.
Another area of legal work for Marni is in estates and succession law, where she has a particular interest in family provision claims.
Marni has excellent time management and organisational skills. Her studies in human resources have also honed her skills in communicating effectively and managing expectations.
When Marni is not studying or working, she enjoys doing Pilates, spending time with her family and friends, and taking trips to Melbourne to attend concerts or soccer matches. She has played soccer for Wauchope Soccer Club since she was five years old. While she lived in Armidale she also played rugby for Robb College.
Marni is actively involved with her soccer club, organising events and coaching youth teams. She has also raised $3000 for cancer research by organising a Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea.
