Rowena Macdonald works in Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers Compensation Law team and is based in the firm’s Hobart office.

She has expertise in a wide range of areas including institutional child abuse, public liability, workers compensation, anti-discrimination and employment law.

Rowena also worked with a group of women who were subjected to forced adoption practices in Tasmania up until the 1980s, resulting in the Tasmanian government committing to establish a Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme.

Rowena was the president and director of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Lawyers Alliance for a number of years, a national association of lawyers, academics and other professionals dedicated to promoting justice, freedom and the rights of the individual.

Prior to embarking on her legal career, Rowena worked as an industrial organiser for various trade unions, advocating for hundreds of workers including in both the public and private sectors.

“I am passionate about equal access to justice, not only to protect and promote the rights of individuals, but also to ensure that our legal system continues to adapt and evolve to the changing needs of our communities.  I understand that when people come to me for legal advice, they are often going through one of the most difficult times of their lives.  I believe an important part of my role is to ensure my clients feel both heard and understood throughout the process, while striving to achieve the best possible legal outcome. I feel very privileged to be in a position where I can make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Key Professional Achievements

  • Rowena achieved a $75m settlement in a class action suit against the State of Tasmania to compensate 129 survivors of institutional child abuse while detained in the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
  • Rowena has a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Tasmania and was admitted to practice in 2015.
  • Rowena has a Bachelor’s degree in History, English and Political Science and also holds a Graduate Certificate in Journalism, Media and Communication.
  • Rowena joined Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers in 2025.