Sophie Grace Legal & Compliance
AFSL & ACL Specialists

Director (Legal and Compliance)

Areas: Sophie is the director of both Sophie Grace Legal Pty Ltd and Sophie Grace Pty Ltd.

Common Tasks: Sophie meets with clients to help them understand their compliance and legal requirements. She works with them to tailor appropriate solutions for their business. Sophie also provides compliance training seminars to clients.

Experience: Sophie has worked with some of Australia’s largest financial services organisations in compliance, legal and operational roles. She has also worked with small businesses to provide tailored solutions with a strong understanding of business practicalities as well as obligations to regulators.

Education: Sophie has a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from the University of Sydney, and has also spent a year studying finance at Boston University. Sophie is admitted as a solicitor in NSW.

Manager (Licensing and Compliance)​

Areas: Alicia works across both Sophie Grace Pty Ltd and Sophie Grace Legal Pty Ltd with a particular focus on compliance and legal services.

Common Tasks: Alicia manages the licensing and compliance aspects of the business. She is responsible for AFSL and ACL applications, variations and assists the compliance team in the implementation of compliance reviews. She provides ongoing compliance support directly to clients in the form of Compliance Reporting for Compliance Committees and Boards of Directors. Alicia also assists clients in the preparation of legal advice, commercial agreements and disclosure documents.

Experience: Prior to joining Sophie Grace, Alicia worked as a paralegal.

Education: Alicia has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Wollongong. She is admitted as a solicitor in NSW.

Lawyer

Areas: Melody assists in preparing, reviewing and negotiating legal documentation for participants in the financial services industry. Melody also assists with developing, reviewing and amending compliance documentation. She also supports the Compliance Consultants with the preparation of AFSL and ACL applications, variations and compliance reviews.

Common Tasks: Melody provides ongoing legal support and also assists in implementing ongoing compliance support, updating procedural documentation and preparing compliance reporting for Compliance Committees and Boards of Directors.

Experience: Prior to joining Sophie Grace, Melody worked as a paralegal.

Education: Melody has a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and a Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University. She is admitted as a solicitor in NSW.

Senior Compliance Consultant

Areas: Sarah works with the Compliance Team with a particular focus on assisting clients with AFSL and ACL applications as well as ongoing compliance services. Sarah also works with the Legal Team providing ongoing assistance in drafting and reviewing documentation.

Common Tasks: Sarah assists clients with initial AFSL and ACL applications and variations and the provision of ongoing compliance support. Sarah also assists in the implementation of compliance reviews. 

Experience: Prior to joining Sophie Grace, Sarah’s experience included customer service and office support roles.

Education: Sarah has a Bachelor of Socio-Legal Studies from the University of Sydney and is currently studying a Diploma of Law through the Legal Profession Admission Board. 

Marketing Manager and Compliance Assistant​

Areas: Ivana is responsible for all Marketing activities for Sophie Grace and assists both the Compliance and Legal teams with a particular focus on Compliance services.

Common Tasks: Ivana focuses on website development, management and ensures clients receive the latest regulatory updates through Sophie Grace social media channels, the newsletter and website blog page. Ivana also assists the Compliance team with drafting and amending compliance documentation, preparing AFSL and ACL Applications and implementing ongoing compliance solutions.

Experience: Prior to joining Sophie Grace, Ivana’s experience included customer service, office administration and management roles.

Education: Ivana has a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University.

Junior Lawyer

Areas: Amanda works with the Compliance and Legal Team with a focus on compliance and legal services. Amanda assists with document preparation for participants in the financial services industry and with conducting legal research.

Common Tasks: Amanda assists the compliance team in implementing ongoing compliance support, updating procedural documentation and assisting clients with the preparation of AFSL and ACL applications. Amanda also assists in the preparation of legal documentation and legal research.

Experience: Prior to joining Sophie Grace, Amanda worked as a solicitor in the area of environmental law and compliance.

Education: Amanda has a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Laws from Queensland University of Technology. She is admitted as a solicitor in NSW.

Junior Lawyer

Areas: Yumi works across both the Compliance and Legal Teams. Yumi assists in preparing, reviewing and negotiating legal documents for participants in the financial services industry. Yumi also supports Compliance Consultants with the preparation of AFSL and ACL Applications, Variations and Compliance Reviews.

Common Tasks: Yumi provides ongoing legal support to Sophie Grace Legal and assists the compliance team in implementing ongoing compliance support, updating procedural documentation and assisting clients with the preparation of AFSL and ACL Applications. Yumi also assists in the preparation of legal documentation and legal research.

Experience: Prior to joining Sophie Grace, Yumi worked as a student lawyer in Corporate Commercial Law.

Education: Yumi graduated with a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Sydney. She also has a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney. She is admitted as a solicitor in NSW.

Paralegal

Areas: Bethany works with both the Compliance and Legal Teams. Bethany assists with compliance document preparation for participants in the financial services industry and with conducting legal research.

Common Tasks: Bethany assists the compliance team in implementing ongoing compliance support, updating procedural documentation and assisting clients with the preparation of AFSL and ACL applications. Bethany also assists with drafting of legal documentation.

Experience: Prior to joining Sophie Grace, Bethany worked in a recruiting firm and as a volunteer paralegal in the social justice sector.

Education: Bethany is currently in her final year at Macquarie University undertaking a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce Majoring in Human Resources.