Get to Know Your Council Members – Helen Bassett

From a career in child safety to becoming a Director at Walsh Day Mihal Bassett, Helen has built a practice focused on family law, child safety matters and advocating for children as an Independent Children’s Lawyer. A longstanding member of the Law Society Council, she is passionate about supporting the profession, fostering connections among practitioners and ensuring children’s voices are heard within the legal system.

Can you tell us a bit about your current role and the main areas of law you practise?
I have been a Director at Walsh Day Mihal Bassett since 2023, having joined the firm in 2017. My primary area of practice is family law, with a particular interest in Independent Children’s Lawyer work in Family Law matters and Separate Representative work in Child Safety matters.

What first drew you to the law?
I went straight through school and completed a Bachelor of Social Work at UTAS in 1998 and spent almost 20 years working for Child Safety Services. That role sparked my interest in family law, as I was preparing affidavits, attending court and conferences with parties, and at times, giving evidence!

In 2005, I decided to pursue a law degree and enrolled at Deakin University. As I was still working full-time in Child Safety, I studied part-time by distance education over the next 9 years, graduating in early 2015.

Could you share a little about your career journey so far and any key milestones along the way?
After completing my law degree, I attended the Legal Practice Course in Hobart in 2016. Although I was eager to begin practising law, I returned to Child Safety for around 12 months before joining Walsh Day Mihal Bassett in 2017, and I have been with the firm ever since.

Have you worked on any particularly memorable cases or projects that shaped your approach to the law?
One matter that stands out involved family law, Aboriginality and the significance of cultural identity when considering the child’s best interests. It was a particularly memorable case that shaped my approach to the law. Counsel and I travelled from Tasmania to Newcastle on several occasions to argue the matter before the Court.

What do you enjoy most about practising law?
Without a doubt, being a Separate Representative and Independent Children’s Lawyer. I enjoy meeting with children and helping to ensure that children’s voices are heard.

What motivated you to join the Law Society Council?
I joined Council in 2018 after being encouraged by a local colleague. Prior to that, I had served on the Management Committee of the North-West Community Legal Centre and was involved with, what is now, the North-West Early Career Lawyers Committee. I remain motivated because I am interested in the broader legal landscape and value the opportunity to help shape the profession in Tasmania.

What’s your top tip for early career lawyers just entering the profession?
Most importantly, never stop learning!  Also, get involved with your regional Early Career Lawyers Committee. It is something I did very early in my career, as the opportunities to learn and support each other are invaluable.

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self when you were starting out?
As a mature-age graduate, I learned that it is okay not to know everything. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself – learning and confidence come with time and experience.

Tell us something about you that people might be surprised to learn.
I absolutely love watching Test cricket, it’s on my bucket list to attend a Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Coffee or tea? Morning person or night owl?
These days, I’m a peppermint tea drinker. I’m also increasingly a night owl – although age and the occasional inevitable sleepless night probably have a lot to answer for there!

June 2026

Helen Bassett, Director, Walsh Day Mihal Bassett