OUR TEAM

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Principal Solicitor | Accredited Specialist (Criminal Law) | Accredited Mediator

Madeleine Schneider is a highly regarded legal practitioner and nationally accredited mediator with more than two decades of experience in advocacy, law reform, and facilitative resolution. Madeleine is a professional member of the Resolution Institute, The Law Society of NSW, the International Mediation Institute, and the London School of Mediation.

With 25+ years of private and public legal service experience, commencing as a paralegal at Baker & McKenzie and progressing to solicitor-in-charge of the Indictable Appeals practice at Legal Aid NSW, Madeleine established Schneider Legal Pty Ltd in January 2020.

As Principal Solicitor and Executive Director of Schneider Legal, she combines deep technical expertise in criminal law with a steady, client-focused approach. Madeleine has appeared in some of NSW’s most complex criminal matters across all jurisdictions, including the High Court, and is recognised by Doyle’s Guide among NSW’s best criminal defence lawyers.

Before establishing Schneider Legal, Madeleine spent over 20 years at Legal Aid NSW, where she led the state’s appellate practice, drove major law reform projects, and built high-performing legal teams. Her leadership of the landmark Standard Non-Parole Period (SNPP) Case Review Project remains a model of strategic, collaborative advocacy.

An accredited specialist in Criminal Law (NSW) and facilitative mediator (AU & UK), Madeleine is known for her calm authority, insight, and capacity to guide clients through legal and interpersonal conflicts with composure and care. 

Director Operations & Technology

James is a successful entrepreneur and executive with three decades of experience as a facilitator, systems engineer and management consultant.
 

The knowledge and values that James applies today were acquired during his formative years with A.T. Kearney, Electronic Data Systems (EDS), his family business and postgraduate education.
 

At Schneider Legal, James ensures the practice runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. His role entails financial management, professional development, workflow automation, performance analytics and business development.  

James is also the founder and Managing Director of Fundamental Group.