This advanced-level conference brings together leading family law specialists for a focused examination of high-value and complex property and financial settlements. Gain timely insights into the new Family Law (Property) Reforms, equitable claims, and the treatment of intergenerational wealth. Explore overseas assets, de facto financial cases, and later-life relationships in succession planning. Led by Doyle’s Guide recommended experts, this event is practitioners handling complex property matters.

Presenters

Josephine Pignataro, Partner, HWL Ebsworth
Josephine is an Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates Law, with over 20 years of experience in the area of estates and succession law. Josephine acts for private clients in relation to estate planning, including for individuals and families with relatively simple structures to those with ultra high net wealth. She also acts for individuals and companies on grants of representation and estate administration, and estate litigation. Josephine acted on the first successful statutory Will application in NSW which is reported as Re Fenwick; Application of JR Fenwick [2009] NSWSC 530. A respected estate law practitioner, Josephine is consistently recognised by Doyle’s Guide for Estate Litigation and Estate Planning – NSW. She has a Masters of Laws from the University of New South Wales, is a trained Collaborative Estates Law Practitioner, an adjunct lecturer for the College of Law in the Applied Masters of Laws (Wills and Estates) program and is proficient in Italian.

Sarah Bevan, Principal, Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers
Sarah Bevan was admitted as a lawyer in New South Wales in 1999 and obtained specialist accreditation. She established Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers in 2002 and has always practised exclusively in all aspects of family law, including areas such as surrogacy, international cases and cases involving complex structures. Sarah is also an Accredited Arbitrator, NMAS accredited Mediator, a Collaborative trained lawyer and on the panel of Independent Children's Lawyer. She is a regular presenter of continuing legal education in family law.

Collette McFawn, Partner & National Practice Group Leader, Lander & Rogers
Collette is a Partner and the National Practice Group Leader of Lander & Rogers' national Family & Relationship Law group and an accredited family law specialist. Collette has worked solely in the family law jurisdiction for 20 years and is consistently recognised by the profession as one of Australia's leading family & divorce lawyers. In the 2022 - 2024 editions of the peer reviewed Doyles Guide, Collette was ranked as a leading family lawyer in Australia and a preeminent family lawyer in NSW, complex/ high value financial matters and complex parenting matters. Prior to moving into private practice, Collette served as an Associate at the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (as it then was). Before entering legal practice, Collette held an executive position in audit and loss prevention at a publicly listed corporation. Collette brings the breadth and depth of both her commercial and jurisdictional experience to every matter in which she and her firm are involved. Collette recently attained qualifications in Collaborative Practice and is now a member of the Australia Association of Collaborative Professionals. She is very much enjoying putting these skills into practice.

Kate Kensell, Family Law Director, Uther Webster & Evans Solicitors
Kate was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court in May 2006 and holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts. Kate has practised exclusively in the family law jurisdiction post admission and has 19 years of experience working in family law in both the Northern Territory and New South Wales. Kate joined the firm in April 2025 as our Family Law Director. Prior to joining Uther Webster & Evans, Kate worked as a Director at a boutique family law practice in Sydney and then as a Partner at a large family law firm. Kate is a Collaborative Lawyer who has spent over 10 years appearing as an Independent Children’s Lawyer. Kate has been ranked on Doyle’s Guide as a Recommended Lawyer for Parenting Matters on multiple occasions. Outside of work, Kate was the Young Lawyer’s Representative of the Northern Territory Law Society and a councillor of the Northern Territory Law Council. She was a board member and volunteer at the Top End Women’s Legal Service in the Northern Territory. Kate is a member of the family law section of the Law Society of New South Wales, the family law section of the Law Council of Australia and is on the panel of Independent Children’s Lawyers.

Justine Taylor, Principal Director, Uther Webster & Evans Solicitors
Justine is an Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates. Justine joined Uther Webster & Evans in 2004 and holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Psychology. Justine became a Partner of Uther Webster & Evans in 2015 and is now a Principal Director of the firm. A full member of STEP, Justine is a registered Trust Estate Practitioner and has been honoured to be ranked on Doyle’s Guide as Leading Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer in NSW and Doyle’s Guide Recommended Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer across Australia. Justine’s primary practice and passion is Succession Law, Wills & Estates and Trusts including contested estate litigation, complex estate administration, dispute resolution, protective list applications, general equity, estoppel, and trusts.

Jacqueline Dawson, Principal Solicitor, Sexton Family Law
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, and the 2025 Junior Vice President. Within the Law Society, she is presently Chair of the Specialist Accreditation Board, Co-Chair of the Family Law Committee and Chair of the Professional Conduct Committee. She also serves as a board member of the NSW Legal Aid Commission, a member of the Sydney University Law Extension Committee and a member of the Legal Qualifications Committee of the Legal Profession Admission Board.

Antonella Sanderson, Principal Solicitor/Director, Family Law Matters
Antonella Sanderson is the Founder and Principal Solicitor of Family Law Matters, a boutique family law firm in Sydney dedicated to resolution-focused legal advice. Her firm is known for its unwavering commitment to collaborative solutions, and empowering clients to avoid court wherever possible. Antonella’s passion extends beyond client advocacy—she is a devoted mentor to young lawyers, cultivating a team culture that values learning, collaboration, and pride in family law as a specialised profession. At Family Law Matters, professional development is paramount, conflict healers are encouraged, flexibility is embraced, and working collaboratively is the norm. When she's not guiding families through separation with wisdom and compassion, Antonella is navigating the oceans. An accomplished sailor, she recently completed an epic voyage from Darwin to Sydney aboard her catamaran. Her sights are now set on exploring the vibrant coral reefs along Australia’s east coast—charting new waters both professionally and personally.

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.

Heidi Menkes, Partner, Pearson Emerson
Heidi is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and has practised exclusively in the area of family law for over 13 years. Heidi joined Pearson Emerson Family Lawyers in 2017 after having practised in other Sydney CBD based firms since being admitted as a solicitor in 2008. Heidi is also collaboratively trained and can offer this as an alternative way for clients to reach a commercially sound resolution to their dispute. Heidi and is a dynamic and pragmatic lawyer with extensive experience in a wide range of family law matters ranging from complex property matters including high net worth individuals, trust structures and complex corporate structures, to spousal maintenance, financial agreements, and matters involving third parties, child support and parenting. Heidi is a regular presenter at family law conferences throughout NSW and Australia, and was recognised by Doyle's Guide as a Rising Star in family law in the Australian legal market for 2020.

Edward Cox SC, Greenaway Chambers
Edward Cox SC is a senior barrister specialising in shipping law, transport law and international law, as well as commercial law and equity, corporate and insolvency law, and family law. Edward represents clients in appeals, inquiries and arbitrations, and has prosecuted and defended environmental and other offences. His diverse experience includes acting as both counsel and arbitrator in sports arbitrations involving Olympic selection disputes and disciplinary proceedings. He has also conducted a number of arbitrations and mediations involving shipping and international disputes. Edward regularly appears in the Federal Court of Australia, Supreme Court of NSW and District Court of NSW. He has also appeared in the High Court and Court of Appeal in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and has been involved in proceedings and arbitrations in Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Outside of his work as a barrister, Edward is a keen sailor and cyclist.

Cathie Blanchfield, Principal, Blanchfield Nicholls Family & Private Advisory
Cathie Blanchfield has practised exclusively in family law and related areas since admission over 30 years ago. After some years in partnership with Stuart Fowler, in 2007 Cathie established Blanchfield Nicholls with Nigel Nicholls. Cathie has been named as a leading family lawyer in the Doyles Guide consistently since 2016, including in High Value and Complex Property Matters. She enjoys the challenges inherent in communicating sometimes difficult concepts in family law, and working to understand each client's particular needs and expectations while giving realistic advice. In 2025 Cathie’s long standing interest and expertise in drafting and advising clients in relation to financial agreements was recognized by her inclusion as one of 15 lawyers in the inaugural Doyle’s Guide list of leading pre-nuptial and financial agreement lawyers in Australia. Cathie has written and presented many papers on family law issues for members of the profession undertaking continuing legal education.