Leah Cameron ought to wear a cape.

A reluctant 'hero', the Palawa woman from Lutruwita/Tasmania and principal solicitor and owner of Marrawah Law and Advisory does admit to possessing one superpower, but says being an industry trailblazer running one of the country's leading First Nations law firms was humbling, if somewhat overwhelming.

"I understand the responsibility it carries. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, particularly Elders in my community and incredible female mentors like (solicitor and businesswoman) Terri Janke, who have led the way with grace and determination," she said.

"Their guidance has been invaluable in shaping my career and my approach to leadership."

Stepping into the limelight wasn't always easy for the busy mother of three young daughters, who recently was appointed to the board of Indigenous Business Australia (among a host of accolades for herself and Marrawah).

"I've come to see it as a privilege to be in a position where my story and work can influence change and inspire others," Ms Cameron said.

Growing up in Hobart, advocacy and leadership were already in her blood – her late grandfather Cyril Brown brought early cases of discrimination in Lutruwita in the 1970s (a recent inductee into the Tasmania Sports Hall of Fame for golf).

"My journey into law was born out of a desire to make a difference for my own community; I knew all too well the way the law turned against my family across generations, and how the system wasn't fair," Ms Cameron said.

While being in the spotlight isn't always smooth sailing for the naturally-shy legal eagle, practicing the law appears a breeze, with Ms Cameron's unwavering passion evidenced by six Native Title consent determinations, among a host of personal accolades.

"If being a role model means fostering more representation and diversity in law, then I'm proud to take it on," she says.

"When I founded (Cairns-based) Marrawah in 2013, it was a leap into the unknown… I had no blueprint for starting a business, let alone one in the highly-competitive legal industry."

But she did have a clear vision: to build a law firm that served as trusted partners for Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients, grounded in respect, collaboration and cultural understanding.

Her journey has been filled with challenges: from discrimination, shouldering the financial burden of growing a business, carrying the weight of her dreams and cultural obligations, while also caring for a young family with her husband.

Ms Cameron also faced a fine line maintaining her responsibilities as a lawyer, business owner and Palawa community member.

"As the late (US Supreme Court Judge) Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said: "So often in life, things you regard as an impediment turn out to be great."

Now 17 years on from her origin story, she never in her wildest dreams contemplated the power being an Aboriginal lawyer with a diverse lens and lived experience has in the outside world.

"What I thought was an impediment I now call my superpower," she says.

"Starting a business was daunting. I was a young Aboriginal female lawyer in an area of practice dominated by males aged over 50 from much bigger firms."

She spent years feeling like an imposter, worried she may have to find another career.

"What I didn't realise was that being an Aboriginal woman with a different viewpoint, offering unique solutions, and intergenerational resilience to tackle challenges head on was a superpower," she said.

It is now her mission to diversify the business of law, "not only to provide diversity in the faces sitting across the table from clients, but to fundamentally change the way that services are provided".

Pivotal events like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and the destruction of Juukan Gorge helped shape Marrawah's trajectory, driving corporations and governments to seek genuine change, "when people finally understood the power of our diverse lens".

The onset of COVID-19 also brought unexpected opportunities, with the shift to remote work giving regional businesses like the North Queensland law firm a chance to operate successfully on a national scale.

"It levelled the playing field in many ways, and highlighted the resilience of regional firms and importance of embracing change to remain competitive," Ms Cameron says.

She said legal representation was critical across First Nations communities.

"Having legal professionals who understand and reflect their experiences is essential to achieving equitable outcomes," Ms Cameron says.

"However, the pathway to increasing representation requires systemic change."

Although a mid-2019 study found women entailed approximately 60 per cent of law graduates and 51 per cent of practicing solicitors, they continue to be under-represented at senior levels, with only 16 per cent of equity partners in law firms female, and just 3.4 per cent of them managing partners.

"We need to create opportunities for them to excel across all areas and levels of the law," Ms Cameron says.

"I believe this starts with investment in cadetships and mentoring programs that provide practical experience and guidance.

"It also requires a commitment to foster culturally-safe workplaces, where Indigenous lawyers can thrive without compromising their identity.

"By prioritising these initiatives, we can create a legal industry that is not only more diverse but better equipped to serve all communities."

Examples of Marrawah promoting justice and empowerment for Indigenous communities are many, including the firm's role as cultural compliance advisors for Telstra in relation to an ACCC undertaking and a collaboration with the Queensland Government on wealth-share models prioritising long-term Indigenous economic empowerment.

"The rollout in the Cherbourg community (in partnership with Fujitsu and the local council) was a resounding success, providing local employment," Ms Camerson said.

One highlight very close to Ms Cameron's heart involved her own mob: helping establish the Palawa Business Hub in Lutruwita.

"It is in its infancy but the power of supporting small Indigenous businesses is life changing, not just for families but the entire community," she says.

The cornerstone of Marrawah's legal practice remains Native Title.

"These cases are complex, but they're integral to securing land rights and enabling communities to leverage those for economic and cultural benefits," Ms Cameron says.

"Through these efforts, we can contribute to a future where Indigenous voices are not only heard but actively shaping outcomes."