Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Penfold akabatana neHofisi yeParliamentary Counsel (Australia) muna 1977. Muna 1993 akava mukadzi wokutanga kugadzwa First Parliamentary Counsel. Kunyora kwake kwaisanganisira mutemo we "Tampa" nyaya (Border Protection Bill, yakarambwa neSeneti), kugadzirisa hukama hwebasa (iyo "Workplace Relations Act 1996"), uye shanduko dzemutemo dzaizodiwa kuti vagadzire republic yeAustralia muna 1999
. Akapiwa menduru yePublic Service muna 2000. Muna 2001 aive mukadzi wekutanga kugadzwa Commonwealth Queen's Counsel.