Karen Spitz

"My work feels like it is working to rectify and support the changes I would like to see in our community. This gives me a focus and is very energising."

Karen is Shine Lawyers’ dedicated Lead Counsellor and leads our multi-disciplinary Mental Health Support Team. In her role she provides mental health support to Abuse Law clients, as well as embedding trauma-informed practices across Shine Lawyers’ services.  

Karen has worked with survivors of trauma for ten years. She has experience across a variety of industries, working with those who have been institutionalised in the justice and health systems. Through roles including outreach work and case management, Karen has utilised a psycho-social recovery model to assist clients with a variety of illnesses and injuries including, but not limited to, psychiatric disability and complex trauma. 

Karen’s work has given her the unique privilege of working with members of the Stolen Generation and assisting with providing an outcome for both them and their families, for wrongs committed many decades ago. She continues to assist those who have suffered injustice due to the acts of individuals and because of the negligence of larger institutions.  

Karen has legal qualifications, experience working in law, and a strong understanding of the process her clients go through, so can offer valuable insight and perspective. She delivers trauma training to different practice groups within Shine and has hosted trauma-informed practice workshops nationally.  

Karen provides mental health support for Shine’s clients who have survived abuse, no matter where they are in Australia. In addition to her work with Shine, Karen works as a sessional academic, teaching law students how to effectively work with trauma survivors in the legal system.  

Your Shine Lawyers Abuse Law solicitor can refer you to Karen and our mental health support team at any point during your claim for childhood sexual abuse compensation.