About Us & Media Releases
About our team
Belinda Kochanowska, Principal & Founder
The Principal lawyer of Intrepidus Law is Belinda Kochanowska.
Belinda Kochanowska is an award winning NDIS law and disability law expert. She is a passionate advocate for disability rights, known for founding and leading Intrepidus Law, Australia’s foremost NDIS and disability rights law firm. Her dedication is fuelled by her personal experience as the mother and carer of an NDIS Participant, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those navigating the NDIS and disability rights issues.
With over 20 years of legal experience, Belinda’s career spans top-tier private practice, government roles at both the state and federal levels, corporate in-house positions, and advocacy work at a not-for-profit disability human rights organisation. Her commitment to the inclusion of neurodivergent children in mainstream schooling drives her ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive society.
Belinda’s expertise has been recognised at the highest levels, including her invitation to provide evidence at the Senate Hearing Committee inquiry on key NDIS legislation amendments.
Belinda Kochanowska’s blend of professional excellence and personal commitment makes her a powerful force in the fight for disability rights.
Belinda was awarded the prestigious 2025 Queensland Law Society Solicitor of the Year Award (Small Firm) and is a finalist for the illustrious 2025 Australian Human Rights Commission Award (Law Award).
Belinda completed a Bachelor of Law and Graduate Diploma PLEAT at the University of Queensland in 2003 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2003 and the High Court of Australia.
Belinda’s 20 year legal career ranges from being a solicitor in top tier private legal practice, a lawyer in government (both State and Commonwealth) and as a corporate in-house Lawyer at various corporate entities, publicly listed and government owned, and a not-for-profit human rights organisation. Belinda has built a specialisation in NDIS Law and Appeals at the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Are you looking for an NDIS lawyer servicing Australia-wide? Contact us today.
READ OUR MEDIA RELEASES BELOW. MEDIA ENQUIRIES CAN EMAIL INFO@INTREPIDUSLAW.COM.AU
Kelly Wilkins, Lawyer
Kelly Wilkins is a dedicated Lawyer at Intrepidus Law, known for delivering life changing outcomes for her clients through a combination of strategic insight, empathy, and tenacity. She approaches every matter with a deep understanding that legal challenges often come at pivotal moments in her clients’ lives, and she is committed to guiding them with clarity, confidence, and care. Kelly’s practice is defined by her client-focused approach. She takes the time to understand each client’s unique circumstances, goals, and concerns, ensuring her advice is not only legally sound but also practical and tailored. Whether navigating complex disputes or providing proactive legal solutions, Kelly is driven by achieving results that make a meaningful difference. Her strong advocacy skills are matched by her attention to detail and ability to simplify complex legal issues, empowering clients to make informed decisions. Kelly is passionate about standing alongside her clients during challenging times and is relentless in pursuing outcomes that protect their interests and support their future. At Intrepidus Law, Kelly embodies the firm’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and transformative results.
Trinity Ford, Law Clerk
Trinity Ford is a Law Clerk at Intrepidus Law. She completed her law degree with honours in 2019 and is now undertaking admission as a solicitor. Trinity has 10 years’ experience in the disability advocacy sector, having previously worked as a Senior Clinical Consultant with the former NSW Ageing Disability and Homecare, a legal researcher with the Disability Royal Commission, and as president of People with Disability Australia. Trinity also leads Intrepidus Law’s Systemic Advocacy Program.
Megan Powell, Paralegal
Megan Powell is an experienced legal professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting solicitors and clients across a broad range of legal practice areas, including personal injury, litigation, property, commercial matters, estate planning and government law. Throughout her career, Megan has built a reputation for her exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail and unwavering commitment to client service. Megan is known for her approachable nature, strong work ethic and genuine desire to help others. She takes pride in building positive relationships with clients and assisting them through difficult periods with empathy, professionalism and care. Her dedication to achieving positive outcomes and supporting both clients and colleagues makes her a valued member of the Intrepidus Law team.
Media releases
30 May 2024
Intrepidus Law is concerned about the impact of the amendments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 as proposed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 [Provisions] (the “Bill”). In particular, Intrepidus Law is concerned about the impact to women.
Intrepidus Law wrote to Shadow Minister for the NDIS. Michael Sukkar MP and Senator Hollie Hughes and Senator Reynolds expressing these concerns.
Our correspondence is below:
Dear Shadow Minister Sukkar
Copy: Senator Reynolds
Senator Hughes
I am writing as Principal of Intrepidus Law, to further press the concerns I expressed to the Senate Standing Committee at the public hearing into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 [Provisions] (the Bill) . I am also writing as a mother of a disabled child, and a female voter.
It is critical that the proposed Bill is rejected.
This Bill, if passed, will not only have a negative impact on disabled women, but significantly, the hundreds of thousands of female voters who care for people with disability – the hard-working unpaid carers of this country, the large majority of whom are female, who are often ignored when considering the real impact of the NDIS and its review.
This large cohort of female voters are the ones who will indirectly and directly take the brunt of this Bill, if passed. They are the women who take on much unpaid disability care and the enormous administrative load of dealing with a bureaucracy such as the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), as they endlessly fight for supports for their disabled family member or child (including adult children) and fill in the gaps in disability support with unpaid care.
If passed, this Bill will only serve to increase that administrative load, stress and unpaid care provided by those many women in this country, as they will be forced to provide even more unpaid support because of reduced or inappropriate plans, with no procedural fairness to appeal bad NDIA decisions that will impact their lives.
This cannot be good for productivity in this country, as it will force many female voters to quit their employment to fill the gaps in support needs for their disabled family member and increase the administrative load the Labor government will create with this Bill, threatening the financial security of those women.
I respectfully plea that the significant impact of this Bill on the large cohort of female voters who support disabled family members in this country be seriously considered as a reason to reject the Bill.
Yours faithfully
Belinda Kochanowska
Principal | Solicitor | Intrepidus Law
belinda@intrepiduslaw.com.au
PO Box 87 Grange QLD 4051
https://intrepiduslaw.com.au/
Media and Decisions
Recent decisions from Administrative Review Tribunal
Maree Lewis and national disability insurance agency (2025/2016) Administrative review tribunal (16 April 2025)
RRMR and National Disability Insurance Agency (2023/7853) Administrative Review Tribunal (15 November 2024)
Ryan Caterson and National Disability Insurance Agency [2024] ARTA 3440 (30 September 2024)