Melissa Hardham commenced her career as a criminal lawyer in 1995 with Grace Warren Hale, Solicitors. In 1996 she transferred to the Office of David Grace QC and worked predominately in the Appellant jurisdictions. In 2000 she took a short break from criminal law to design and implement a pro bono human rights and anti-discrimination legal service within a disability support program, DEAC. This experience ignited her interest in integrated multidisciplinary support models for disadvantaged people. In 2003 Melissa returned to the Office of David Grace QC. During this time, she explored concepts such as justice reinvestment, therapeutic jurisprudence, and health justice partnerships. In 2008, she founded First Step Legal, a pro bono legal service within First Step (multidimensional drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic). She represented many young people with complex mental health and addiction issues - in particular, those involved with the Toll Second Step Program (supported employment program). She remained involved with First Step as a Board member until December 2019. In 2012, Melissa moved to Far North Queensland to work at Cape York Partnership. During this time, she led the development of health justice initiatives to address cycles of disadvantage and the expansion of the Toll Second Step Program to Queensland and the Northern Territory. She also set up the Queensland & Northern Territory Health Justice Partnership Network and led the Toll’s national Indigenous national engagement strategy. Melissa and her family returned to Melbourne early 2018 at which time she commenced with WEstjustice as the Director of Policy & Community Development and has recently transitioned into the role of Chief Executive Officer. Melissa is on the Boards of Ngak Min Health, Cape York Education Board, and Djarragun College, and Co-Chairs the National School Lawyers Reference Group. She continues to explore innovative and effective solutions to overcome the effects of disadvantage.