Meet the Team with Danielle Dazkiw - Legal Accounts Consultant/Trainer

In the latest edition of our “Meet the Team” series, we spoke with Danielle Dazkiw, Legal Accounts Consultant/Trainer at Xperate. Danielle reflects on her journey from working in family law firms to helping practices across Australia embrace legal technology and rethink the way they work. She shares her perspective on the evolving APAC legal tech market, the upcoming impact of AML obligations on Australian firms, and why she believes many firms are still only scratching the surface of what technology can help them achieve.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background.

After finishing school, I completed an Advanced Diploma of Business Legal Practice and then went straight into working in law firms. I initially fell into family law and spent around eight years at a large suburban firm before moving between different firms over time.

Eventually, I reached a point where I wanted a new challenge. I enjoyed the legal industry, but a lot of the work was starting to feel repetitive, and I wanted to do something different that would push me outside of the traditional law firm environment.

That led me into legal tech, where I joined a company as a Legal Practice Advisor in a customer success role. I spent a lot of time visiting firms across Melbourne, sometimes up to six firms in a single day, helping them better understand how technology could support their practice. What I really enjoyed was showing firms that there was so much more they could do with technology than they realised. A lot of firms get stuck in routines and processes that have existed for years, so helping them see how they could save time and work more efficiently was really rewarding.

After that, I moved into a role supporting firms with litigation funding in the family law space. While it was slightly outside my usual focus, I still enjoyed working closely with lawyers and understanding the challenges they were facing. Eventually, though, I was ready for another new chapter, which is what brought me to Xperate.

Why did you want to join Xperate, and what does your role involve day to day?

What really appealed to me about Xperate was the opportunity to work closely with firms that are going through change, whether that is moving systems, improving processes, or trying to get more out of their technology.

A big part of my role involves helping firms migrate from one system to another, answering questions, and helping them understand how they can work more efficiently and make better use of the systems they already have.

One of the best things about Xperate is that no two days are ever the same. The work is incredibly varied, which keeps things interesting and constantly challenges you to learn more.

I also love the global aspect of the business. Collaborating with teams across different regions, attending conferences and events, and working with people from different backgrounds has been a highlight for me.

It has almost been a year since I joined, and honestly, it has flown by. The team has been fantastic, and everyone brings something different to the table!

What challenges may you face in your role, and how could you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges is helping firms move past the fear of change.

For some firms, it is the fear of moving away from a system they have used for years. For others, it is the fear of trying something new or developing something that has not been done before because they are unsure where to start.

A big part of my role is helping firms understand what is actually possible. Xperate does not have one single product to sell, and that can sometimes be difficult to explain initially. What we really offer is the ability to build solutions around what firms genuinely need.

A lot of lawyers are understandably resistant to change because they are busy and focused on clients. It can be difficult to get them to invest the time needed to rethink processes or adopt new ways of working. That is why communication and education are so important.

Another challenge is staying up to date with changing rules and regulations, particularly as compliance requirements continue to evolve across the legal sector.

How would you describe the current state of legal tech adoption in Australia and across the APAC region?

The legal tech market in Australia is still relatively small compared to some other regions.

There are only a handful of major practice management systems dominating the market, but what is really growing is the number of add-ons and specialist tools that integrate with those larger systems.

I think there is still a huge amount of room for growth and innovation across the Australian legal sector, particularly as firms become more open to improving workflows and embracing new technology.

AML responsibilities are soon to hit Australian law firms. How prepared are the law firms you speak to? How can technology help overcome these new challenges?

AML is definitely a big topic at the moment, and understandably so. Even the term “anti-money laundering” can sound intimidating for firms and clients alike.

I think initially there will be some uncertainty as firms adjust, particularly around how client onboarding and client care processes will need to evolve. But over time, it will simply become part of the normal routine. Technology will play a huge role in making that easier. There are already systems and tools that can support firms with reporting, record keeping, and compliance processes, helping firms keep everything organised and accessible.

A lot of it will also come down to communication. Firms may need to adjust how they explain AML requirements to clients so that people understand why certain information is needed and what the process involves.

What motivates you to achieve success?

What motivates me is seeing that there is a real need for this type of work.

I genuinely believe firms need more flexibility than what the traditional market has offered in the past. Every law firm is different, and even different departments within the same firm work differently.

I think firms are often only limited by their own imagination when it comes to technology and process improvement. Helping firms realise what is possible and seeing them move beyond those limitations is incredibly rewarding.

The Australian legal tech market still has so much room to grow, and being part of that evolution is something I find really exciting.

Where would you like to see Xperate in Australia in 5 years?

I would love to see more firms fully aware that if they can imagine something, Xperate can help build it.

For a long time, firms have felt restricted by the systems available to them or tied into long-term contracts that do not necessarily give them the flexibility they want. I would love to see more firms realise they have other options.

I would also love to see more firms using XSDM. It is such a valuable solution, particularly because firms retain ownership and access to their own data, which is something many Australian solicitors feel strongly about.

Over the next five years, I would love to see Xperate continue growing across Australia, with more projects underway and greater awareness of what the business is capable of delivering.

How do you unwind outside of work?

Outside of work, I am always keeping busy with something.

I have a Chihuahua called Tilly who I absolutely adore, and I spend a lot of time going for walks along the beach where I live in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs.

I also love reading. One of my favourite ways to relax is sitting with my Kindle, a cup of tea, and my dog beside me. I do not really stick to one genre and tend to read a bit of everything.

Another big hobby of mine is sewing. I make a lot of clothes for friends and family, which I really enjoy because it gives me a creative outlet outside of work.

I also love travelling, whether that is within Australia or overseas, and I will be heading to Bangkok soon. Alongside that, I have been focusing a lot on health and fitness recently and working towards personal goals in that area too.

More than anything, I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my dog. I always seem to have a project on the go and love staying active and productive.

Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn here.