Former family lawyer Amanda Kerdel sat down with Victoria Moss to discuss her inspiring journey from practising law to joining the fast-growing legal tech company JustFund. In this candid conversation, Amanda opens up about her motivations, challenges, and how she’s found purpose in redefining access to justice—while balancing motherhood, mindfulness, and meaningful work.
Victoria Moss: Amanda, you’ve taken quite the leap from traditional legal practice into legal tech. What led you to make that shift?
Amanda Kerdel: It was a journey of stages, really. I’d been practising law, most recently at Naala Djookan—a healing-focused community centre for women. What was beautiful about that role was its holistic approach. We didn’t just give legal advice; if someone needed a financial planner or psychologist, we made those referrals. It aligned with how I’ve always believed support should be delivered—meeting people where they are, with care for the whole person.
But after having children, I started to reflect more deeply. I realised I didn’t want to carry that emotional load home with me anymore. I loved the work, but the cost of carrying other people’s trauma was high. Around that time, a friend introduced me to Settify, and I entered the legal tech world. It felt like stepping into a space full of ideas, creativity, and innovation. Suddenly, I saw that being a lawyer didn’t mean I had to practise forever. There were other ways to use my skills and make an impact.
Victoria: That’s a powerful realisation. Was it difficult to leave the structure and certainty of law?
Amanda: Terrifying at first! We’re trained to think, “This is what a lawyer does.” The idea of stepping away from that path—even into something related like legal tech—feels like you’re abandoning your identity. But when I moved into Settify and met people who were entrepreneurs, problem-solvers, innovators—it was exhilarating. I discovered that I thrive in that startup environment where ideas are welcomed and nothing is set in stone. It felt like an expansion rather than a loss.
Victoria: What’s your role at JustFund now?
Amanda: I joined in 2023 as Director of Partnerships, working alongside co-founder and Co-CEO—Jack. My role initially was to expand our reach, particularly among Family Law firms, and help grow awareness of what we offer. JustFund had launched the year prior and was scaling quickly. Now, we’ve got over 50 employees. We’ve grown our legal team, loans monitoring, and internal operations. I helped build the partnerships arm—bringing on like-minded people, developing & nurturing relationships, and helping shape the strategy.
Victoria: JustFund provides legal funding for family law clients—what drew you to that mission?
Amanda: It spoke to everything I care about. In family law, you see how many people—especially women in abusive or financially controlling relationships—simply can’t leave because they don’t have the resources. With JustFund, they don’t need to pay upfront. They can fund legal representation, living costs, even rent or school fees, and only repay at settlement. That changes lives. I’ve seen firsthand how this kind of support can be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward. I’m proud to be part of that.
Victoria: You’re also involved in wellness—tell us more about Chakra Wellness.
Amanda: My husband and I started Chakra Wellness as a side passion project. We offer yoga and breathwork sessions, and we sell home saunas and ice baths. It’s all about giving people tools to manage stress and reconnect with themselves. For me, that journey started in law—realising how much trauma and tension we carry in our bodies. Breathwork changed my life. We now run sessions where people do yoga, breathwork, and finish off on a sauna and ice bath session. The emotional release is powerful. It’s healing in every sense of the word.
Victoria: What advice would you give to lawyers considering a shift out of traditional practice?
Amanda: Don’t be afraid to question the path. You don’t have to have an “aha” moment to make a change. For me, it was about listening to how I felt—what energised me, what drained me. The skills I’ve gained in legal tech—team management, strategic planning, product development—I would never have developed staying in law. But those legal skills gave me the foundation. So be open. Stay curious. Your values are your compass, and you don’t have to sacrifice them to be successful. If anything, success comes from living in alignment with them.
Victoria: What’s been the biggest challenge in adjusting to this new way of working?
Amanda: Letting go of structure. In law, we measure everything in six-minute increments. It’s so task-focused. Moving into tech, it was strange at first—some days are full of brainstorming or strategy, others are slower, and you wonder if you’re doing “enough.” But that weight lifted quickly. I was suddenly more creative, less stressed, and had time for my kids. Now, I work from home, I’m there for school pickups, I don’t miss the Easter Hat Parades or school assemblies. That flexibility has been life-changing.
Victoria: You’ve spoken about the challenges of being a working parent in law. How has this transition helped?
Amanda: Massively. When I was in private practice, I felt guilty even asking to leave for my kids’ events. But why should we apologise for being present for our families? The school day isn’t built for working parents, and without flexibility, we’re forced to make impossible choices. I wanted a life where I could be a great mum and do meaningful work—and now I have that.
I’m still serving the same core mission—supporting people during incredibly hard times—but now I’m doing it in a way that’s sustainable and energising. If I can offer any advice, it’s this: trust that there are paths you haven’t considered yet, and you’re allowed to change direction. There’s power in walking away from what no longer serves you—and joy in discovering what does.
Amanda Kerdel’s path reminds us that there are many ways to build a meaningful legal career—and that innovation often comes from those brave enough to step outside the box. In her journey from practitioner to product leader, she’s not only shaped her own path but is quietly reshaping the future of law itself.