Experience

Employment

  • April 2017 to April 2022

    LECC is responsible for the civilian oversight and investigation of misconduct and maladministration in NSW law enforcement. This includes both the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) and the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC). LECC replaced the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) in performing law enforcement oversight. During Lea’s appointment she:

    • exercised the coercive powers of a Royal Commission and conducted multiple investigations

    • wrote and delivered to the NSW Parliament 28 single member reports and six joint reports. These included reports covering the investigation of individual officer misconduct, and a significant number which involved complex and wide-ranging investigations into social/policing issues including the powers of police to strip search, the subject target management of juveniles, the reporting of the use of force, the police investigation of domestic violence, conduct management plans within the police force and reviews of consorting legislation and anti-terrorism warrants

    • managed approximately 110 staff which involved a significant restructure, a new award, and legislative change in consultation with the relevant union and without any disputation

    • made recommendations which have led to joint working parties between the NSWPF and LECC

    • contributed to the development of Standard Operating Procedures and policies with the NSWPF

    • provided high-level leadership in the management of oversight and investigations, prevention and education, legal services, electronic communications and covert surveillance

    • led the development of community engagement at LECC. There was no previous community engagement by the PIC. LECC now has a successful, extensive and ongoing community engagement program

    • supported the development of advanced telephone interception, digital surveillance, digital forensic resources and highly complex surveillance

    • coordinated and conducted joint interception and surveillance projects with Commonwealth Government agencies

    • oversighted submissions to the Commonwealth on interception and surveillance services and proposed changes to relevant legislation

  • March 1994 to April 2017

    Appointed with the rank, status and precedence of a Justice of the Federal Court, Lea’s role involved:

    • resolution of industrial disputes

    • sitting as a member and presiding on Full Bench appeals and permission to appeal benches

    • simplification and modernisation of awards

    • conciliating and arbitrating unfair dismissal applications

    • conciliating unlawful termination applications

    • conducting investigations

    • resolving grievances

    • arbitration of disputed matters including industrial awards and conditions

    • allocation and management of work to panel members

    • establishment and delivery of timeliness guidelines across the Commission

    • management of the Commission's unfair dismissal applications in NSW and interstate.

  • 1981 to 1984

    Managing partner and solicitor in a wide ranging general criminal law and industrial law practice which included resolution of allegations of misconduct against teachers employed in New South Wales.

  • 1976 to 1981

    Between 1976 and 1981 Lea was employed by two legal firms representing New South Wales unions and a firm representing a large retail employer group.

  • 1981 to 1994

    Lea established a highly successful firm in partnership with three others. Lea’s function was to tax bills of costs for her own practice as well as a wide range of other firms across personal injury jurisdictions.

Current Community Engagement

  • 2006 to Present

    Hearing and resolution of allegations of misconduct against players, officials and spectators involved in the South Sydney rugby league competition.

  • 2020 to Present

    The Club has some 50,000 members and owns and operates community services clubs at three locations in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The Club plays a major role in the funding and management of local junior rugby league.

  • 2000 to Present

    Occasional appointment for resolution of disputes and grievances.

  • 2022 to Present

    Hearing and resolution of conduct complaints.

Past Community Engagement

Legal

  • All the ordinary work of the Society including resolution of recommendations arising from Professional Misconduct Committee findings and misconduct findings by the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

  • Oversight of investigations, liaison with other committee members, consideration of evidence and provision of reports to the Society.

  • Appointed to consider and report on the law concerning lawyer's charges.

  • Consideration of submissions by the Commonwealth Government in relation to pharmaceutical renumeration benefits.

  • Provision of free legal advice to visitors to the Centre and attendance on rostered gaol visits.

Sport

  • Following receipt of complaints against members, Lea conducted misconduct investigations, made findings and determined outcomes.

  • Lea sat as Chairperson, with two other representatives, including referees, to hear complaints regarding the conduct of players, spectators and officials, make findings and determine outcomes.

Education

  • Appointed as a Member of the Management Board to resolve industrial relations problems being experienced by the College. I was subsequently appointed Chairperson of that Board by the Sisters of Charity.

  • Development of policy for the four Sisters of Charity schools.

  • Lea was appointed to assist with the restructure of the Sisters of Charity portfolio into a long term Foundation.

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