Presenters

Dianne Pendergast, Barrister, Brisbane Chambers
Dianne Pendergast was admitted to practice law in 1986. Since then she has practiced predominantly in family law, wills and estates, child protection and domestic violence. Dianne was a partner in a boutique practice until 1992, when she was appointed as a registrar of the Family Court where she worked as a mediator, conciliator and conducted interim hearings for the next 14 years. In 2006 Dianne was appointed to the statutory position of Adult Guardian (Qld.). Dianne has practiced as a barrister for the last 13 years.


Susan Warda, Partner, Mills Oakley
Susan Warda is a Partner with national law firm Mills Oakley, an Accredited Specialist in Family Law, a Collaborative Lawyer, and a trained Parenting Coordinator. With extensive expertise in family law matters that involve complex financial issues, including property settlements dealing with family businesses, multiple assets, and superannuation splitting, she is highly regarded for both her knowledge and her professional approach. As an experienced mediator and trained collaborative law practitioner, Susan brings a wealth of experience working alongside other professionals to resolve clients’ disputes outside the Court system. Susan has played a pioneering role in the development of collaborative practice in Australia and is an advocate for alternative dispute resolution. As well as property and financial issues, Susan also acts for parents in a wide range of parenting disputes including Hague Convention Applications for international child abduction and complex matters concerning parenting arrangements. Susan is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and her achievements have seen her named again by Best Lawyers Australia Family Law 2024 as well as a Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer Sydney and a Leading Family Lawyer High Value & Complex Property Matters in the Doyle’s 2023 Guide. An active member of the profession and the community, Susan holds Board positions with the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals and Variety the Children’s Charity Asia Pacific.