Delve into all the current issues for Family law property matters in one day! Explore the rights and interests in Trusts and the distribution as a part of the asset pool. Unpack the current cases on adjustments, initial and external contributions and the running of third-party joinder applications. Stay informed with an annual update on recent cases and legislative changes, including the Family Law Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2023 – Property Disputes Amendment. Gain all your ethics and skills points though an in-depth discussion of business valuations, coercive control, and key ethical considerations for family law practitioners.

Presenters

Petros Macarounas, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Petros Macarounas is a barrister at Frederick Jordan Chambers. He maintains a broad practice, with his core areas of focus encompassing commercial and equity, common law, family law and criminal law. He appears predominantly for plaintiffs in personal injury matters, and insurers in motor vehicle property litigation, and his commercial practice sees him acting for both individuals and small companies. Other matters to which his experience extends includes worker’s compensation, wills and probate, fraud, building and construction and property. Prior to being called to the Bar, Petros practised as a solicitor at Henry Davis York and McLachlan Chilton, where he gained significant experience in the areas in which he continues to practice, providing him with a well-balanced approach when representing clients.


Phillip Ridgway, Partner, Pearson Emerson
Doyle's Guide has recognised Phillip as a Rising Star in family law in the Australian legal market for 2021. Having worked in specialist family law firms since 2011, Phillip understands the impact which underlying motivators often play in family law. With a background in law and business, and an interest in psychology, Phillip provides his clients with pragmatic, level-headed advice to assist to cut through the minutiae, and focus on resolving their matters quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Phillip has a particular interest in property settlements involving businesses and complex asset structures, and takes a holistic approach to assisting his clients by working with their accountants, financial advisors and commercial lawyers to achieve the best outcomes. Phillip also regularly assists his clients with asset protection strategies for those entering into new relationships or planning to marry. Phillip is also experienced in assisting clients dealing with contentious and high conflict parenting matters which involve mental health issues, family violence, drug and alcohol issues, child protection aspects, international and domestic relocations, and recovery of children to name a few. Phillip often works with experts in other fields to assist his clients to achieve the best outcomes in these matters, including family therapists, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. Phillip was recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a rising star in 2018 and 2021 and as a Recommended Parenting Lawyer in 2018 and 2019.


Martina Storgato, Principal, Mills Oakley
Martina possesses significant experience in the family law jurisdiction and related areas, with extensive qualifications and legal experience spanning 25 years in civil litigation and practice in superior courts of Australia. Martina is highly regarded for her expertise in complex financial matters, matters involving bankruptcy, corporations, trusts and overseas assets, and intricate parenting matters involving criminal law aspects, third parties, local and international child abduction matters. Martina previously was the Principal of Thornton Storgato Law Pty Ltd from 2008 to 2023. Martina has demonstrated extensive experience in mediations and case management, accelerating her experience within Alternative Dispute Resolution and negotiation frameworks by training as a Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer. As a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators and National Mediator Accreditation Scheme, Martina’s practice denotes that all issues are viewed from a balanced perspective with a focus on resolution to avoid litigation unless necessary.


Irene Morozov, Practice Director, York Law
Irene Morozov has 30 years’ experience exclusively in Family Law and her formidable reputation and advocacy marks her out as a leading and pre-eminent lawyer in Australia. She specialises in complex financial matters and is often engaged by high net worth clients across intricate family law litigation involving companies and trusts. Irene has acted in some of the largest property cases heard in the Family Law courts not only in NSW, but across all the States of Australia. Irene is known by her clients and industry peers as a tenacious lawyer who works passionately and meticulously on her cases, leaving no detail uncovered. Since 2016 she has been recognised in the Doyle’s Guide – the definitive listing for law firms and lawyers – as a Leading and Recommended Family Divorce Lawyer (High-Value & Complex Property Matters). She lives in Sydney and away from work, she enjoys travelling for relaxation and spending time with friends.


Monique Robb, Partner, Lander & Rogers
Monique is an accredited specialist in family law. Monique has acted for clients in all areas of family law, including parenting (custody) and property matters, child support, spouse maintenance and financial agreements (including pre-nuptial agreements). Monique is known for providing clients with pragmatic, commercial advice and robust representation in both negotiating and litigating a resolution to their family and relationship law concerns. Monique has worked solely in the area of family law since 2007, including as the associate to a judge in the Federal Circuit Court. As a result, she provides clear, strategic advice and representation in matters which require litigation, and, more importantly, to assist clients to avoid litigation wherever possible. In addition to her work as a solicitor, Monique has taught Family Law at the University of Notre Dame, Australia, since 2014. Monique’s family law experience includes handling disputes where one or both parties live overseas. She also has significant experience in drafting financial agreements, including drafting mirror agreements to foreign pre-nuptial agreements. Monique also acts for third parties, including corporate entities, in family law matters. Monique became an accredited specialist in family law in 2015, and additionally has completed a Master of Laws at the University of Sydney, with a focus on family law and areas of law affecting children. Her strong academic and practical expertise are applied to ensure her clients receive efficient, effective advice, particularly in areas where novel issues arise. Monique has been named as a Rising Star in family law in Doyle's Guide. She is also a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.


Jacqueline Dawson, Principal Solicitor, Sexton Family
Jacqueline Dawson is the Principal of Sexton Family Law and an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Admitted to practice as a solicitor in 1994 and an Accredited Specialist since 2001, Jacqueline began practice in early 1995 with the firm then known as Robyn Sexton & Associates and remained as a principal of the firm when Judge Sexton was appointed to the Federal Magistrates Court. Jacqueline is a Councillor of the Law Society of NSW. She is presently Chair of the Specialist Accreditation Board of the NSW Law Society, Co-Chair of the Family Law Committee of the NSW Law Society and Deputy Chair of the Professional Conduct Committee of the NSW Law Society. She also serves as a committee member of the Sydney University Law Extension Committee and of the Legal Qualifications Committee of the Legal Profession Admission Board.


Lauren Cusack, Director, Cusack Forensics
Lauren Cusack is a business valuation and forensic accounting specialist who advises clients on commercial transactions and litigation matters. She uses her financial accounting, business modelling and business valuation expertise to deliver high-quality solutions to individuals, management, companies and legal advisors. Lauren has been involved in valuing small to medium sized businesses; private companies, partnerships and trusts; options and other employee entitlements; and intangible assets such as goodwill. Her work has focused on several areas including tax legislation compliance, reporting requirements under Australian International Financial Reporting Standards (AIFRS), litigation support, shareholder disputes, restructures, and the sale and purchase of businesses.


Hayley Dean, Senior Advocate, Legal Aid NSW
Hayley is best described as an all-rounder and is the current solicitor advocate attached to the Parramatta office of Legal Aid NSW and became an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law in 2013. Within her current role, Hayley is appearing as counsel in sentences, trials and applications in the District Court, Coroner’s Court Inquests, the Children’s Court as well as training junior solicitors. Hayley joined Legal Aid NSW in 2008, after working for both the Commonwealth and State DPP. Hayley has worked across a large range of roles within Legal Aid including local court, committals, indictable, relief and indicatable appeals, with over a decade of instructing counsel in all sorts of matters in NSW Courts. Hayley has a keen interest in matters involving coercive control and is described as a “thought leader” on the topic, having written papers, presented CLE’s, as well as being the writer and host of the Legal Aid NSW 5-part series podcast on Coercive Control where she interviewed a range of experts across a variety of professional disciplines. The critically acclaimed Podcast Series was promoted on The Bar Association of NSW Website, the Judicial Commission Website and also by the NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner as the authority for legal professional training on the topic. Hayley has been presenting seminars and educational forums in the last 12 months on a variety of topics of interest including Coercive Control, Vicarious Trauma for Lawyers and Expert Evidence in sexual assault matters. Hayley was recently involved as an assessor for medical professionals cross examining them in their mock assessments as part of their training to become experts in sexual assault evidence. Hayley has presented seminars to a diverse range of community groups, lawyers, and medical professionals and is developing a special interest area in the of intersection of gendered violence and the legal system. In her spare time, she is a coach to the under 10’s local basketball team and a now firmly retired netball tragic.


Alicia Elliott, Director, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Alicia Elliott is a family law specialist accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales. She practises exclusively in family law and provides clear guidance and advice on all aspects of family law, including divorce, property matters, parenting issues, child support, spouse maintenance and de facto relationships. Alicia has successfully represented clients in all areas of family law. She has acted in complex financial cases, including high net worth matters, valuation disputes and those relating to family companies and trusts. Alicia was previously employed at the Serious Fraud Office in London and brings a forensic and investigative approach to all of her matters.


Anna Baltins, Director, Domestic Violence Unit, Legal Aid NSW


Elizabeth Pearson, Special Counsel, Barkus Doolan Winning
Elizabeth is respected across the legal profession and government sectors as a trusted legal mind, effective communicator and empathetic practitioner. Elizabeth has advised in the public and private sectors on law reform and policy development for more than ten years, before joining Barkus Doolan Winning as Special Counsel in May 2023. Her unique commercial law and policy expertise, coupled with her exceptional skill set, are invaluable in complex matters and trials. As a solicitor, Elizabeth worked at global firm Baker McKenzie before moving in-house to serve in senior legal policy roles at State and Federal peak representative bodies in the legal profession. Elizabeth has served as Advisor to Law Council President Arthur Moses SC, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the NSW Bar Association and Specialist Consultant to the Law Council and its Family Law Section. Elizabeth holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Sydney, where she placed first in her cohort in Equity and Interpretation, and was recognised on the Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance. She is currently completing her PhD in contract law at the University of Sydney and received the Walter Reid Memorial Fund Award for her doctoral studies. Elizabeth is admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia. She was awarded the International Bar Association World Women Lawyers Conference Scholarship in 2018 and was a finalist for In-House Lawyer of the Year at both the Women in Law Awards 2020 and the Australian Law Awards 2020. Elizabeth regularly publishes papers in Australian and international journals, including Dispute Resolution International, Commercial Law Quarterly and Art Antiquity and Law. Elizabeth also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney and had a successful career as a broadcast journalist in Australia and the UK before she was called to the law. Elizabeth completed cadetships with The Times of London, BBC Radio 4 London, 702 ABC Sydney and Australian Associated Press, and worked for five years as a broadcast journalist and producer at Australia’s top radio stations. She was awarded the Global Environmental Journalism Initiative Scholarship and named UTS Undergraduate Reporter of the Year.