Fiona Burns

Fiona Burns is a Lecturer in the School of Law at the University of New England (UNE), where she teaches a range of foundational and advanced legal subjects. She brings over two decades of professional legal experience from Australia and New York into her teaching, ensuring practical relevance and engagement for students.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Political Science & International Relations), University of New South Wales (1999–2003)
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PLT), University of Technology Sydney (2004)
• Graduate Certificate in Family Dispute Resolution, College of Law (2019)

Fiona's research and teaching interests focus on bridging legal theory with practice, particularly in dispute resolution, legal skills, and substantive areas like corporations law and torts. She emphasizes critical thinking, ethical practice, and real-world application in her pedagogy. Her professional experience enriches her classroom, where she uses case studies and current legal developments to enhance student learning.

Her recent publications in the New York Law Journal examine trends in medical malpractice and tort litigation, reflecting her expertise in personal injury and health law. These works contribute to legal discourse on liability and judicial interpretation in complex cases.

Her professional recognitions include:

• Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law (Law Society of NSW, 2010)
• Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (Commonwealth certified, 2019)
• AMDRAS Accreditation (Mediation Institute, 2019)
• Family Group Conference Facilitation Certification (2020)
• Group Facilitation Certification (2021)

Fiona is actively involved in legal practice as Managing Director of Fiona Burns Legal & Mediation, providing legal, mediation, and dispute resolution services in regional NSW. She contributes to community legal education and professional development through collaborations with Tamworth Community College, Centacare, and local business networks. She supervises and mentors law students through her teaching roles in core and specialized units, though no named graduate advisees are listed. She is not indicated as part-time, and her ongoing roles confirm her active status in both academia and legal practice.

She is involved in community advocacy and legal access initiatives, particularly in the Tamworth region, working with local organizations to improve legal literacy and dispute resolution capacity. Her work exemplifies a strong commitment to accessible justice and practical legal education.