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Who we are
Nick Hanna
Chairperson and Non-Executive Director
Nick is one of Sydney’s leading criminal defence lawyers and is the principal of Hanna Legal. In addition to his criminal law practice, he has extensive experience representing persons bringing civil claims against the police as well as medical and legal practitioners in professional disciplinary matters.
Over the past two years, Nick has provided pro bono legal services to numerous people prosecuted or facing other legal action in Australia due to their support for Palestinian human rights.
Nikolai Haddad
Executive Director
Nikolai is a lawyer with extensive experience as a practitioner in a range of fields including international trade and transport, immigration and general civil law.
Over the last decade he has acted for people facing barriers in accessing the legal system in the field of employment and discrimination law, as a senior solicitor and managing solicitor in public and community legal services.
Nikolai has significant experience in not-for-profit governance, having served on the board of community services and arts organisations in New South Wales.
Manal Hamdan
Non-Executive Director
Manal is a Sydney-based barrister with close to 20 years’ experience, both as a lawyer and barrister in New South Wales.
While she maintains a broad common law practice, she has developed specialised expertise in the areas of insurance and professional negligence. She appears regularly on behalf of insurers in civil disputes, as well as for professionals in civil and disciplinary proceedings, across a variety of jurisdictions. Manal also appears in Coronial inquests, both as counsel assisting and for interested parties.
In her time at the NSW Bar, Manal has been involved in building community and diversity initiatives, with a particular focus on removing cultural, socio-economic and other barriers for young people wanting to pursue a career in law. She is committed to supporting community-based projects which platform social justice and human rights through the use of our legal system.
Majed Madani
Non-Executive Director
Majed is a highly experienced litigation lawyer. With more than 18 years of practice, Majed has acted for major institutional, regulatory, corporate, and commercial clients across Australia and internationally.
Majed maintains a strong commitment to pro-bono work and community partnerships and regularly participates in diversity and inclusion initiatives within the legal profession.
Beyond his legal practice, Majed is actively involved in civic, cultural, and fundraising initiatives, with a focus on First Nations Justice, Palestinian human rights, and the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights.
Hanan Hammoud
Non-Executive Director
Hanan is a senior financial services lawyer with extensive experience advising global institutions across the investment banking and payments sectors in multiple jurisdictions.
She has held trusted advisory roles with leading multinational organisations, delivering strategic legal guidance in complex, highly regulated environments. Hanan brings deep expertise in governance and regulatory compliance, having led and supported significant regulatory audits internationally.
She is also a committed advocate for diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on advancing women’s leadership initiatives.
Amal Naser
Non-Executive Director
Amal Naser is a lawyer and was a key organiser of the March for Humanity on the Sydney Harbour bridge, the largest protest in support of Palestine human rights in Australia’s history.
Amal has extensive experience in developing strategies to defend the right to protest, both in the courts and in public discourse.