About Us
JDK Legal Services is a boutique personal injury law practice. We have a reputation for providing ethical, high quality legal services and access to justice for all of our clients.
Our lawyers are highly skilled and accessible. Our size enables our Directors to give personal attention to every matter.
When you call, we ensure you speak to a lawyer for preliminary advice. If we think we can assist you, we will arrange an initial consultation.
Our success is built on the calibre of our people, our dedication to our clients’ best interests and a genuine desire to help people who find themselves in difficult situations.
We understand what is at stake.
Kate Dempster LL.B, B.Com (Hons), GDLP
Director, Head of Personal Injuries and Workers Compensation Department
“Knowing that I am helping people in difficult situations is a constant source of motivation and purpose.”
Kate is the Director of the firm’s personal injury department.
Every personal injury matter is overseen by Kate and managed with the assistance of one other lawyer. Initial appointments are an opportunity to provide frank and practical advice and understand what it is that keeps her clients awake at night. It has always been important to Kate to establish a strong, positive relationship with clients from the outset in order to help them feel supported throughout the duration of their case.
Kate has worked exclusively in the area of personal injury law since 2006. She has successfully recovered compensation for people injured in motor vehicle accidents, public liability accidents and for relatives of people involved in fatal accidents, although her primary area of interest and expertise is in work accidents. Kate is committed to working with clients to obtain fair compensation in a timely and cost efficient manner. Much of her work is obtained on the recommendation of satisfied clients or through referrals from other members of the legal and medical professions who recognise her expertise.
In 2016 and 2017 Doyles Guide to the Australian Legal Profession listed Kate as a recommended lawyer in the areas of workers’ compensation and motor vehicle accident compensation.
In 2018 Doyles Guide to the Australian Legal profession listed Kate as a recommended lawyer in the areas of workers’ compensation, motor vehicle and public liability claims.
Kate is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia.
Rhys Weaver B. Psych (Hons), J.D.
Graduate
Rhys joined JDK Legal Services in 2021 as a paralegal. He has a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and completed his Juris Doctor postgraduate law degree at the University of Western Australia in 2022. Prior to joining JDK Legal Services Rhys worked as a research assistant with the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedicine at Curtin University.
Rhys particularly enjoys the opportunity to use his medical and legal background to assist clients in a practical way and is passionate about helping people.
Andrea Jong
Andrea joined JDK Legal Services in 2023 as a law graduate after completing her Bachelor of Laws at Murdoch University. She then completed her practical legal training with the Leo Cussen Centre for Law before being admitted to practice law in Western Australia in May 2023.
Prior to joining JDK, Andrea worked as an intern in a generalist law firm in Malaysia and a non-profit organisation based in Indonesia that focuses on strengthening human rights in Asia and the Pacific.
She enjoys having the opportunity to help and assist clients through difficult situations.
Giulio Petrella
Independent Registered Agent
Since 2011, Giulio has been working as an Independent Registered Agent and exclusively represents injured workers in relation to their workers’ compensation claims. A core part of his business involves working with JDK Legal Services and he regularly appears at WorkCover in both the Conciliation and Arbitration Services.
He is most proud of the fact that his relationship with JDK Legal Services enables him to deliver a specialised service to JDK Legal Services’ clients which has resulted in excellent outcomes at often difficult times in their lives.
Kristy Sedlarczuk
Accounts/Office Manager
Kristy joined JDK Legal Services in June 2018 as the Accounts/Office Manager. She has worked in the legal industry in medium sized, multi-disciplined law firms for over 20 years with 17 years of that time as an Office Manager which also incorporated the role of accounts.
Kristy is enthusiastic, positive and thorough in everything she does and is great at multi-tasking.
Aisha Forrest
Aisha joined JDK Legal Services in December 2022 as a fulltime paralegal. Prior to this, Aisha studied a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Murdoch University.
Aisha has a passion for basketball which started at the age of 4 years old. She is currently playing in a semi-profession league and has had multiple opportunities to travel around the country playing.
Aisha enjoys working in a team environment and strives to provide the best service she can to our clients.
Hazel Robinson
Hazel joined JDK Legal Services in April 2023 as a paralegal and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of New England.
Prior to joining JDK Legal Services Hazel worked in the hospitality industry and as a paralegal in another personal injury law firm.