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Amy Nikolovski is a former President of the Law Society of South Australia (only the fourth woman to hold the role in over 140 years), and became Managing Partner at DBH Lawyers in 2021. Amy has been the recipient of numerous awards, including most recently the FORZA: Excellence in Leadership Award (Progetto Donna Awards 2025), Top Managing Partner in Australia and New Zealand (Australasian Lawyer Law Firm Leaders of the Year 2025), and has been recognised as a Preeminent Workers Compensation Lawyer and Preeminent Public Liability Lawyer (Doyle’s Guide 2025).
How did you start down this career path?
I didn’t intend to have a career in the law. Science was my strongest subject at school and what I intended to study at university. However, I also did Legal Studies in year 12 and really enjoyed it. When final selections for university came at the end of year 12, I changed my preferences. I realised that being a research scientist probably wasn’t for me (I like to talk too much!) and so switched to a law and arts degree. I didn’t have a clear idea about the path I wanted to follow until I got to my final year when we studied litigation and advocacy, which ignited the flame for me.
Whilst completing my final year of law and my GDLP, I obtained a job at the AWU as a union advocate, which started me on the path to personal injury law. I realised how important it was for me to be in position to help people navigate the law, especially anyone who is unfamiliar with how it operates. I am also driven by the idea of social justice and ensuring that legal support is accessible to all.
What inspires you in your role/industry? Why?
Coming from an immigrant, working class family, I understand how challenging it can be for people who have had limited experience with the law or lawyers when they unexpectedly find themselves in need of legal services. My inspiration comes from a desire to help people understand and navigate our legal system, so they are better able to understand the processes and access the justice we are all entitled to.
I also derive great inspiration from my role as mentor to young lawyers, both within our firm and new graduates seeking to start their careers. Of particular importance to me is mentoring and supporting women from immigrant, low-socioeconomic or other non-traditional backgrounds, so that they are able to pursue or continue a career in law.
What's your approach to customer service that separates you from the rest?
My approach to customer service is based on ensuring that people who come to DBH Lawyers for help are able to do so with confidence, secure in the knowledge that it won’t be an intimidating or uncomfortable experience.
This is helped by the fact that I have a background and life experiences not dissimilar to the majority of our clients. I come from a family of everyday, working people and now have a young family of my own, so am able to relate to many of the challenges our clients face. I have been on the shop floor and worked in customer-facing industries, and have brought this experience with me into the law.
Similarly, having given birth to a premature baby who experienced serious health issues in the early years means that I have some appreciation of the difficulties people go through when they are victims of medical negligence or a birth injury. I think this combination of different life and work experiences has made me an empathetic and supportive advocate, and is what lies behind my commitment to ensuring that all people, regardless of their circumstances, are entitled to justice.
How do you innovate and stay ahead of industry trends?
DBH Lawyers is committed to reaching out to as wide a client base as possible, and have been especially innovative when it comes to marketing and engaging with the community.
For instance, we have moved beyond advertising only on traditional media, and are continually looking for new platforms we can use to reach people. Likewise, although we have a strong and established brand, we regularly refine our messaging in order to engage with people in ways that are relevant to them and reflect their needs.
We are a proud South Australian firm with more than fifty years’ experience, and are deeply connected to our local community. We partner with charities, groups and organisations who share our values, and look for innovative ways in which we can provide support to those in the community who need it most.
What is the toughest challenge you've faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
The toughest challenges I face as Managing Partner tend to revolve around people.
Every workplace encounters difficulties, but many of the most common problems can be overcome through proactively working to create a positive, supportive environment and culture, with clear values that are shared by all members of the team.
Although it is becoming increasingly rare for someone to spend almost twenty years at the same firm as I have done, at DBH Lawyers we nevertheless have a very good staff retention rate compared to similar firms. Being progressive and flexible when it comes to working conditions has helped to shape our positive culture, as has collaboration, openness and Partners being accessible at all times. This goes some way to mitigating many of the workplace frustrations that commonly arise.
What are some of your goals for the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, my goal is for DBH Lawyers to become the name South Australians think of first when it comes to personal injury, wills and estates, and family law. Beyond this, I also want DBH Lawyers to be seen as a key community partner for arts, sporting and charitable organisations.
Through our marketing and community engagement projects, I would also like to see the wider community come to understand that the team at DBH Lawyers are not elite and aloof but come from the same sort of family, social and educational backgrounds as the majority of our clients. Legal advice should be available to all, and so it is important that coming to see a lawyer is not in any way intimidating or a barrier to accessing justice.
About DBH Lawyers
Founded in 1970, DBH Lawyers in Adelaide has become a leader in Illness & Injury Law, Family Law, Wills & Estates, and Business & Employment Law.
DBH Lawyers takes a client-centric approach to law and works closely with clients to achieve the best possible outcomes. Known for our expertise and care, DBH Lawyers is dedicated to supporting South Australians and providing compassionate, expert legal services.
The way we work is always underpinned by our values. We work side-by-side with our clients, always striving for the best outcome and a way forward. The team at DBH Lawyers are at the forefront of legal advice and knowledge and will be with you every step of the way.
