Ben Deverson

Founder & Director | Chief Organiser

Founder, Director & Chief Organiser of Lawganised, Ben Deverson, has had a 25-year executive career of which over half has been managing and leading professional services firms. For four years (2016-2019), Ben was the Managing Director and an equity principal of a boutique law firm in Brisbane, Australia.


Whilst not being a qualified lawyer, Ben is an expert in the best practice operations of law firms. Throughout his career, Ben has gained an intimate knowledge of the challenges that law firm Principals face each day. Ben's strengths include strategic planning, people and culture, forecasting, cash flow management, process automation, performance metrics, leadership, and legal practice risk management.


Ben has a passion for helping law firm Principals build strong, positive cultures and cohesive teams built on vulnerability-based leadership and trust. Ben believes teams with these characteristics allow Principals to optimise their people and generate enormous value in their practices, leading to a positive outlook on their business and their lives.

That is why the Lawganised vision is simply: "To change the lives of law firm Principals".


Ben's unrelenting commitment and motivation to achieve excellence stems from his past unique leadership roles as an Australian Army Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Practice Manager for two global accounting firms, and a senior commercial role in a major Queensland infrastructure project.


Ben is a proud husband and father of three children, and happily admits he married well outside his weight division(!). He's an avid sports fan, animal lover, Dad joke connoisseur, and a proud 'Swiftie' (a Taylor Swift fan). Ben always enjoys a good laugh and, in particular, enjoys a chat about anything Seinfeld related. Ben is often guilty of excessive overuse of Seinfeld references and quotes given he believes there’s a Seinfeld moment in every day.


Ben is also a non-executive Director of the AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism.

Rachel Barbaro

Client Manager

Rachel Barbaro (aka ‘Rach’) is one of Lawganised’s Client Managers and acts as the Virtual General Manager for several client firms across Australia.


Rach comes to Lawganised with 25 years of experience in legal assistant and office management roles, most recently with a boutique employment law firm in Brisbane.


Rach thrives on being organised and has an extensive background in creating procedures, precedents, management reporting, and enhancing productivity through technology. Rach is a self-professed legal practice management system geek and loves to find ways to help clients find efficiencies in their systems.


Like the rest of the team, Rach is also an animal lover and is often seen around her neighbourhood ‘being walked’ by her dog ‘Abby’. She otherwise spends her time being her cat’s ‘doorperson’ and hanging out with her husband and three children.

Erin Steward

Client Manager

Erin Steward is one of Lawganised’s Client Managers and acts as the Virtual General Manager for several client firms across Australia.


Erin comes to Lawganised with 20 years of experience in office management and executive management roles in the legal industry, hospitality, and retail sectors. Most recently, Erin was the CEO of a boutique criminal law and civil litigation firm on the Gold Coast, Australia.


Erin is a results-focused trusted advisor to law firm Principals who has an eye for detail and uses her deep analytical and financial expertise to create efficient plans that drive operational success. Erin also has a passion for mentoring our clients’ new and developing leaders and building high-performing teams.


Erin is a graduate of the Australian National University and the University of Southern Queensland with a Bachelor in Arts (International Relations) and a Graduate Certificate of Business, respectively.


Erin is a proud wife and mum of two children, and is a huge fan of F1 and cricket. She loves music and going to the beach with her family every Sunday morning for nippers. Erin also has a dog called Cleo, who is a red border collie that loves walking and producing tumble weeds of fur. Erin is often at gymnastics (definitely not as a participant), to watch her daughter and help out around the club. Erin is also a general committee member of Southport Gymnastics Club.

Kathryn Milczewski

Client Manager

Kathryn Milczewski (aka ‘Kath’) is another of Lawganised’s Client Managers and acts as the Virtual General Manager for several client firms across Australia.


Kath joins Lawganised with 30 years of experience predominantly in law firms, both within Australia and the UK, as well as having held roles in the public sector and in-house environments. Most recently, Kath was the Operations Manager of a boutique commercial litigation firm with offices on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.


Driven by contributing to growth and performance, Kath is naturally drawn to identifying 1% changes that contribute to significant operational improvements for both simple and complex challenges and leverages technology to deliver efficient and effective solutions.


On a personal level, Kath takes a genuine interest in understanding the goals of those she works with, finding coaching and mentoring others to succeed extremely rewarding.


An avid traveller, Kath is excited that planes have returned to the skies and she is currently planning trips in Australia and beyond with her partner, family, and friends. Kath also enjoys checking out the latest food and wine venues around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, a day at the races, or spending time in the kitchen whipping up a storm (probably with the latest Netflix binge on in the background).


Celeste Smith

Client Organiser

Celeste Clements is one of Lawganised's Client Organisers and supports our Client Managers with the day to day operations of our retained and project-based clients. With a passion for psychology and a deep desire to help individuals reach their full potential, Celeste is dedicated to supporting Lawganised Client Managers in optimising their client relationships.


Bringing a wealth of experience in administrative and client support roles, Celeste has honed her skills in providing top-notch customer service and maintaining an unwavering customer focus throughout her career. Her attention to detail is second to none, ensuring that every aspect of client interactions is meticulously managed.

 

What sets Celeste apart is her fascination with the intricacies of psychology and its application in creating thriving workplaces. Celeste is in her final year of a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences and holds a Diploma in Applied Business. Celeste believes in the science behind fostering positive work environments and is eager to contribute her expertise in this area to Lawganised's mission.

 

Outside of her professional pursuits, Celeste loves spending quality time with her fiance and son, and cafe hopping to find the best pastries in Brisbane.

Stanley

Head of Security

Stanley is Lawganised's Head of Security and also assists Lawganised's clients with their debt recovery needs.


Stanley was voted most ferocious Head of Security in Law at the 1968 Bonnie Doon Show, a title he defended for three years before heading north to Queensland in 1972. There he joined a 'Motorcycle Club' in 1974 and was quickly promoted to Sergeant at Arms and was responsible for an enormous increase in 'collection activities' during his tenure. Stanley eventually hung up the leathers in 2019 to join his new owner at Lawganised.


After hours Stanley loves to maintain a high commitment to fitness and health in chasing tennis balls, sparring with his sister, and eating top shelf Science Diet.

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