At Workplace Allies, we exist to make high-quality legal services accessible to those who need them.
Traditional law firms often prioritise profit, leaving many workers and organisations without the legal support they need.
We prioritise people over profit, meaning our focus is always on achieving a fair and just outcome — not maximising billable hours.
Everyone deserves access to legal support. We structure our fees in order to make legal services more accessible.
We uphold the highest ethical standards in our work, so you receive honest, transparent, and high-quality legal advice.
We recognise the unique challenges faced by workers from diverse backgrounds and are committed to advocating for their rights in the workplace.
As a not-for-profit, we reinvest our resources into serving our clients and the community. We assist other not-for-profits, so that they can continue to do their good work.
We don’t just provide legal representation, we equip our clients with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.
With over a decade of experience in employment law, Ellie Bassingthwaighte is the Principal of Workplace Allies Ltd, a not-for-profit firm dedicated to advancing fair and just workplaces. She has worked in private practice, served as an Associate at the Fair Work Commission, and contributed to State and Federal parliamentary committees on labour law reform. She has a long-standing commitment to access to justice, and has volunteered with multiple community legal centres. Recognised in Doyle’s Guide for Employment Law in Queensland, Ellie brings both technical skill and a strong commitment to social justice to her work.
Since New Way Lawyers established themselves as Australia’s first not-for-profit law firm, in 2008, there have only been an handful of other law firms adopt this model.
Our long-term vision is to reshape the legal industry by establishing not-for-profit law firms as a sustainable, effective and ethical alternative to the traditional for-profit law firm. In so doing, we want to expand the number of people that can access legal advice and representation when they need it.
We offer support and resources to legal professionals who might be considering starting their own not-for-profit firm. If this sounds like you, please reach out.