Arna Delle-Vergini is a Barrister, Tribunal Member, a trained mediator and accredited advocacy coach. A tireless advocate for children's rights, she is the current Vice President of the Children's Court Bar Association.
Arna was admitted to practice in May 1999 and signed the Roll of Counsel in 2000. Her practice includes alternative dispute resolution, children's law, criminal law, family law, family violence and personal safety orders, guardianship and administration proceedings and VOCAT proceedings. Arna was appointed to the Mental Health Tribunal in 2018.
In 2023 Arna launched an Australian first Children's Law Podcast http://bestinterestspodcast.com.au. The podcast aims to promote the rights and interests of children one conversation at a time. She also recently won the Lawyers Weekly 'Barrister of the Year' Award and was 1 of the 9 to make the shortlist for the 'Women's Excellence Award' across 29 different award categories.
Arna has a strong interest in coaching and mentoring lawyers. Through her company Ex Curia: Coaching and Consulting, she supports lawyers at undergraduate student level, throughout practical legal training and via ongoing professional development. Arna is a sought after coach and mentor, and has taught variously at ANU, ACU, VU, Leo Cussen Institute, Victoria Legal Aid and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
In July 2013, Arna established New Lawyer Language, a website designed to support emerging lawyers to develop resilience and professionalism, while maintaining health and well being. New Lawyer Language promotes dialogue about what it means to be a lawyer in the modern legal landscape. In 2014, in recognition of her efforts Arna was shortlised for the LIV Mentor of the Year Award. Whilst the website is no longer operational, the material contained in the website is still often used as a reference for students undertaking legal studies at a tertiary level. For blog posts, interviews, readings and articles visit: http://newlawyerlanguage.com/.
Finally, in 2011-2012 Arna also project managed the Trial Counsel Development Program out of Victoria Legal Aid. The program provided unique training and networking opportunities to junior members of the Victorian Bar.
Other qualifications
Cert IV in Workplace Assessment & Training
Cert IV in Project Management
Certificate in Managing High Conflict People in Legal Disputes
Memberships
Children's Court Bar Association (Vice President )
Victorian Association for Restorative Justice
Womens Bar Association