Dave Kramer

Keynote Speaker – Family Law Stream

Panellist – Conflict Resolution in Practice Workshop

Project Manager, Small Steps 4 Hannah

Dave Kramer is a sought-after speaker, who brings a unique blend of honesty, personal narrative, and evidence-based research to address critical social issues, such as promoting healthy masculinity, preventing gender-based violence, and fostering respectful relationships. His journey into this work began after the tragic loss of his best friend, Hannah Clarke, and her three children on the 19th of February 2020. Dave channels his grief into action, by empowering all people to lead with the same courage, empathy, and love that Hannah and her children embodied. Every conversation carries forward their legacy, by creating ripples of positive change across communities and culture.

From Grief to Advocacy

How lived experience can fuel system-wide reform in the way we understand and respond to family violence.

Redefining Masculinity

What healthy masculinity looks like in practice — beyond slogans and into real-life impact.

Empathy in Action

Why trauma-informed practice and empathy are critical tools in legal responses to violence and conflict.

Disrupting Silence With Action

Dave Kramer is a powerful voice in the conversation around family violence, healthy masculinity, and respectful relationships. His keynote at Disrupting Tradition 2026 will not just inspire — it will challenge attendees to reflect on how we approach family violence in legal practice, both professionally and personally.

In 2020, Dave’s life changed forever with the tragic loss of his best friend Hannah Clarke and her three children. Since then, he has transformed his grief into fuel for change — speaking nationally on the urgent need for practical, trauma-informed responses in the legal and community sectors.

Dave’s presentation will share his lived experience, supported by research, and unpack how legal professionals can act with courage, empathy, and clarity when supporting clients affected by violence.

Workshop Appearance: Conflict Resolution in Practice

Dave will also appear in a high-impact panel session unpacking real-world conflict resolution, with a specific focus on family violence dynamics.

About the Session:

In many legal discussions, we hear abstract advice — “be empathetic,” “stay curious,” “hold space.” But what does that actually look like in practice, especially when working with people who use violence or who have been subjected to it?

Dave joins a panel of legal, psychological, and community experts to get real about what’s needed in the room when emotions run high and safety is at stake. Drawing from his lived experience and professional lens, Dave will spotlight how practitioners can respond in a way that is compassionate, grounded, and clear.

Expect takeaways like:

How to centre safety without becoming reactive
Practical language to use in emotionally charged moments
Where empathy meets boundaries in the legal process
The role of accountability and storytelling in behaviour change

This session is raw, honest, and built to give attendees tools they can apply the very next day.