Shani Fernando
Higgins ,NSW
Summary
Dynamic Solicitor and experienced Case Manager with a comprehensive understanding of case management services and cultural protocols, complemented by extensive expertise in risk assessments and intervention strategies. Proven ability to forge strong partnerships with external stakeholders, ensuring optimal outcomes for disadvantaged individuals while effectively supporting diverse populations facing challenging behaviors. Adaptable to change across various levels, maintaining composure in high-risk situations and demonstrating a commitment to quality results within the legal field and the ACT Public Sector. Bilingual proficiency in English and Sinhalese, along with fluency in Tamil, enhances communication and fosters strong client relationships through a solution-focused approach to problem-solving.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
A/g Assistant Director
ACT Revenue Office
08.2025 - Current
- Support the delivery of the objectives of the Objections and Policy team at the ACT Revenue Office
- Draft tax legislations, Instruments and Ministerial and Cabinet materials
- Liaise with a range of stakeholders including Treasury, Minister’s and Cabinet Office
- Provide high-quality policy advice and analysis on complex strategic policy issues
- Represent ACT Revenue Office at inter jurisdictional forums and on cross directorate working groups
- Work as a key team member in the implementation of policies and project work
- Undertake high level legal research and draft complex tax decision
- Instruct Government Solicitor on complex tax litigation matters
- Provide supervision and mentoring of staff
COCA/Trust Officer
Public Trustee and Guardian
03.2019 - Current
- Case management and Liaising with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), regulatory authorities, financial institutions, secured creditors, solicitors, and other stakeholders
- Development of PTG COCA policy, practices and procedures and drafting and / or issuing of letters, statutory notices, agreements, and court orders
- Preparation and registration of Court Orders and vesting applications with the ACT Land Titles Office
- Interpretation and application of Court orders and legislation
- Calculation and payment of PTG fees and commissions and sums to be paid to the Territory
- Preparation of documents to obtain grants in relation to non-complex deceased estates
- Preparation of the required documentation to and attend to estate administration and distribute estate funds to legatees and residual beneficiaries
Senior Objections Officer
ACT Revenue Office
08.2023 - 08.2025
- Undertake internal review of objections and write complex tax decisions
- Have carriage of associated appeals processes before the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Supreme Court
- Interpret, advise and undertake critical analysis of legislations
- Draft advice and correspondence on taxation issues including Ministerial and policy issues
- Review, undertake research and process applications under the Freedom Information Act 2016
- Provide professional and high-quality stake holder and customer services
- Provide supervision and mentoring of staff
Estates Lawyer
Farrar Gesini Dunn
02.2023 - 08.2023
- Provide legal advice and assistance to clients in all aspects of estate planning, administration, and disputes
- Prepare and review wills, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents
- Attend to estate administration, including applications for grants of probate and letters of administration, estate asset distribution, and estate tax issues
- Represent clients in estate disputes, including family provision claims, contested wills, and other estate litigation matters
- Supervise a team of para legal and legal assistant staff and maintain accurate and up-to-date client files and billing records
Senior Estate and Trust Officer
Public Trustee and Guardian
07.2022 - 01.2023
- Oversee the administration of Estates including self-managed super funds, businesses, family Trusts, overseas assets, shares and equities – including those with legal and tax issues, challenging beneficiaries or unknown beneficiaries
- Draft wills including wills where testamentary capacity is unknown, draft Enduring Powers of Attorney and ensure compliance with the Confiscation of Criminal Assets Act 2003
- Facilitate funerals where the body of the deceased is unclaimed and administer Estates and Trusts, ensuring to ensure legal and taxation requirements are met
- Prepare formal documents to obtain Probate, Letters of Administration, Elections and Intentions and prepare transfer of property, including overseas assets
- Advertise for creditors and arrange payment of proved debts, distribute proceeds to beneficiaries and prepare Legal Notices and Transmissions for the final distributions of Estates and Trusts
- Supervise a small team to monitor staffing resources to meet objectives, develop strategies, procedures and work practices and ensure compliance across the department
- Arrange for genealogical research and manage genealogical issues including unknown estate beneficiary determinations as needed and undertake file reviews and audits
Case Coordinator
Life Without Barriers
03.2018 - 04.2019
- Apply culturally appropriate client engagement principles and processes to ensure the voice of the client is heard and reflected in case coordination practice and activities
- Conduct needs assessment, develop, implement and review individual Care Plans for clients and deliver skills building modules to clients through face-to-face group education sessions
- Ensure that all documentation is completed within designated time frames, is of a high professional standard and meets legislative and organisational requirements
- Develop and maintain relationships with family members and significant others to promote positive outcomes for clients and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to meet the needs of the clients
- Deliver education, employment and training programs to clients outside of business hours and on weekends as required and support and promote the work of Life Without Barriers, maintaining a positive image of the organisation in accordance with level of position
Senior Case Manager
Migration Support Program-Australian Red Cross
02.2017 - 03.2018
- Conduct comprehensive assessment of client needs, utilising Red Cross policy and procedure and operational framework and develop a knowledge of range of mental health, domestic violence, child protection services and leading practice available to clients
- Provide guidance and undertake client advocacy, problem solving, case co-ordination, crisis intervention and reporting as necessary to minimise harm to clients and others
- Provide peer to peer support to Caseworkers, manage the Migrant Mentoring Program including the recruitment of volunteers and provide out of hours on-call support to clients on a rostered basis
- Report and manage incidents in accordance with national guidelines, participate in case conferencing and monitor and review client’s ongoing health and wellbeing
- Ensure casework provided is in accordance with relevant policies of Red Cross as well as contractual requirements of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
- Represent the Red Cross externally, including advocating and negotiating to improve client opportunities and ensure records are of a high written standard, keeping accurate and up-to-date client files and associated documentation
- Lead and contribute to projects as required and assisting with the financial reporting, client reporting and administration requirements for the Migration Support program in the ACT and NSW
Team Leader
Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT
03.2015 - 10.2016
- Provide guidance and undertake client advocacy, problem solving, case coordination and crisis intervention and provide constant on the job training to new staff and volunteers
- Manage and roster staff team members and ensure services are delivered as per MARSS policies and funding requirements of Federal and Local Government bodies and other stakeholders
- Organise programs and events for clients and identify new mechanisms to enhance services and organise information sessions to educate clients on topics relevant to settlement in Australia, including orientation programs
- Present at various events and forums to promote MARSS programs, manage web-based data recording systems and prepare quarterly reports to funding bodies
Senior Associate
Godfrey Cooray Associates
01.2011 - 09.2014
- Advise and represent clients in courts and Tribunals on matters such as industrial disputes, family law, criminal, land and property, immigration and so on
- Make representations on behalf of clients before the Attorney General, Police and other government officers, handle corporate matters and company incorporations
- Conduct awareness programs on various subjects of law, draft agreements and attest to conveyancing instruments and train and mentor junior lawyers and overseas law interns
Legal Officer
ChildFund Sri Lanka
07.2006 - 12.2010
- Appear in courts and tribunals representing the organisation, prepare and attest legal agreements, conduct inquiries on disciplinary matters and provide recommendations
- Conduct awareness programs on various aspects of relevant laws including industrial disputes law, draft and update workers manual and other relevant administrative manuals
- Plan, monitor and evaluate community development programs including the Micro Finance Program and submit quarterly reports to head office in the USA on all pending legal matters
- Obtain necessary approvals and licenses from relevant government authorities, complete compliance requirements and provide legal support across multiple projects as required
- Draft petitions, answers, written submissions, pleadings, lists of witnesses and other court documents, prepare clients to testify in courts and draft legal agreements and conveyancing instruments
Associate Lawyer
Paul Ratnayeke Associates
02.2005 - 07.2006
- Appear in courts such as Labour Tribunal, Magistrate’s Court, District Court High Court, Commercial High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court
- Represent clients at Inquiries such as Labour Inquires and Customs Inquiries, participate in consultations with senior counsel and provide advice to clients
- Draft court documents such as Petitions, Affidavits, Answers and Plaints
Project Officer
Legal and Judicial Reforms Project
01.2004 - 12.2004
- Manage the overseas scholarship program for legal scholars including liaison with overseas universities in securing placement for applicants
- Liaise with the Attorney Generals Department, legal draftsman, the judicial service commission and law schools for funding and law reform purposes
- Coordinate and make payments for tuition fees and living expenses of scholarship recipients
Education
Bachelor of Laws (Hons) -
University of Colombo
Skills
- Empower each individual and promote positive choices
- Write structured assessments, reports, and submissions
- Provide feedback regarding client needs, opportunities, and trends
Timeline
A/g Assistant Director
ACT Revenue Office
08.2025 - Current
Senior Objections Officer
ACT Revenue Office
08.2023 - 08.2025
Estates Lawyer
Farrar Gesini Dunn
02.2023 - 08.2023
Senior Estate and Trust Officer
Public Trustee and Guardian
07.2022 - 01.2023
COCA/Trust Officer
Public Trustee and Guardian
03.2019 - Current
Case Coordinator
Life Without Barriers
03.2018 - 04.2019
Senior Case Manager
Migration Support Program-Australian Red Cross
02.2017 - 03.2018
Team Leader
Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT
03.2015 - 10.2016
Senior Associate
Godfrey Cooray Associates
01.2011 - 09.2014
Legal Officer
ChildFund Sri Lanka
07.2006 - 12.2010
Associate Lawyer
Paul Ratnayeke Associates
02.2005 - 07.2006
Project Officer
Legal and Judicial Reforms Project
01.2004 - 12.2004
Bachelor of Laws (Hons) -
University of Colombo
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