Family law practice has undergone major reform and case law development recently. Join some of Australia’s leading family law specialists for this advanced one-day conference in Melbourne or online, exploring the developments shaping family law. Gain essential updates on the reforms, Shinohara and the new Kennon provisions, plus practical insights on trusts, third-party interests and working with experts. Develop a deeper understanding of your ethical obligations in family law property matters, effectively managing third-party joinder plus discover practical strategies for managing high-conflict and trauma-impacted clients with confidence and care.

Presenters

Rachell Davey, Partner, Lander & Rogers
Rachell has practiced in family and relationship law since 2000. She has been involved in all aspects of family law with particular expertise in complex property and financial matters. Rachell holds a Master' of International Law (2005) from the University of Melbourne and practises in international family law matters involving expatriate Australians, or for clients across multiple family law jurisdictions. She is highly adept at resolving complex property matters involving corporate entities, businesses, addressing the taxation implications of settlement and third parties. Rachell has extensive experience drafting financial agreements (both pre and post nuptial) and advising clients of the appropriateness of a financial agreement in their circumstances. She also assists clients with complex parenting arrangements involving interstate and overseas relocation. Rachell is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law (2005) and previous member of the Accredited Specialist Committee. She is listed in Doyle's Guide as a Rising Star in Family Law (2016) and a leading practitioner of Parenting and Children's Matters (2018 to 2024). She has been recognised in Best Lawyers (Australia) for her expertise in Family Law. Rachell is also a regular presenter and author covering family law topics.

Lachlan Wraith, Barrister, Foley’s List
Lachlan is a barrister at the Victorian Bar. He commenced at the Bar in 1996 following 3.5 years working in a regional Victorian law firm. Lachlan practised primarily in family law until 2007 when he left the Bar to take a position as Head of Personal Estates & Trusts at Equity Trustees Ltd. His time at Equity Trustees gave him a broad and practical exposure to the legal and tax issues related to estates, trusts (testamentary, family, special disability, compensation trusts and charitable trust), representative administrations (VCAT and Powers of Attorney) and issues relating to the licensed trustee companies industry. Lachlan returned to the Bar in early 2013 and now focuses his practice on trust and estate work as well as family law matters involving trust and estate related issues.


Caroline Counsel, Principal, Caroline Counsel Family Lawyers
Caroline Counsel is the principal of Caroline Counsel Family Lawyers and author of ‘Divorce the Court: A Better Life Together…Apart.” Caroline is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and Chair of the Specialisation Board at the Law Institute of Victoria. Caroline is also qualified as a Collaborative Lawyer, Mediator & Arbitrator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner of some 40+ years’ experience. Caroline is a Past President of the Law Institute of Victoria (2011) and Honorary Life Member. Caroline has been a Board member of the LIV, LCA and presently holds the Family Violence Portfolio for the Institute as well as Co-Chair of the Family Violence Working Group at the LIV. Caroline is a State government appointed member of the Industry Taskforce on Family Violence. She was one of the inaugural board members of the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (appointed by Victorian Attorney General June 2015) and until recently she sat on the VLAB Board as well as the Admissions Committee.

Paul Fildes, Principal, Taussig Cherrie Fildes Family Lawyers
Paul Fildes is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and has been practising in family law since 1983. He has been ranked as one of only five Preeminent Family Lawyers by Doyle’s Guide for Melbourne 2019. Paul Fildes was previously the head of Middletons’ Family Law Practice Group (now K & L Gates), which he merged with Taussig Cherrie & Associates in 2010, to become Taussig Cherrie Fildes. Paul specialises in large scale family law property litigation, complex Financial Agreements, defacto property cases and restructuring family property in a tax effective manner. He also has a special interest in international relocation cases, and cross-border disputes involving the adjustment and treatment of assets located internationally, including Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Paul is a presenter of Case Watch on the Television Education Network which produces educational presentations and material for lawyers. He has published numerous papers and comments on current family law issues. Paul also regularly presents at seminars on behalf of various professional bodies on a wide variety of family law topics, with an emphasis on complex financial matters. He is a qualified Family Law arbitrator and mediator, and is also a trained collaborative lawyer. Paul is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and was a former Chair and Executive member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria. He was previously the Victorian Solicitor Representative of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, and a former Chair of the FLS National Biennial Family Law Conference and on the Board at Relationships Australia (Vic).

Jim Mellas, Barrister, Foley’s List
Jim Mellas is a Barrister at the Victorian Bar who has been practising for over 36 years as a Solicitor and then as a Barrister. Jim has been an accredited specialist in Family Law since 1991 and is a regular speaker at legal seminars and conferences having spoken on a range of subjects including Family Law, De facto Relationships, Equitable Estoppel, Succession Planning and Family Business. He has also had a number of papers published on a range of topics and has featured in a number of educational DVDs on Family Law. Jim has been recognised as a Leading Family Law Barrister in Victoria by Doyle’s Guide. Outside of the law Jim is a commentator, activist and campaigner. He is a founding member of the Acropolis Research Group (TARG) which was formed by concerned researchers and activists in the UK, Greece and Australia who share a common interest in the repatriation of looted cultural property, with a particular focus on the Parthenon Sculptures. TARG seeks to influence decision makers, non-State actors, museums and galleries as well as the community at large through research, education, advocacy and lobbying.

Dr Robin Colesmith, Barrister, Holmes List Barristers
Robin joined the Victorian Bar in 2009, and practices exclusively in family law and its associated jurisdictions. He is the co-author of the leading text book, Family Law (7th ed). He specialises in family law matters with complex questions of law, including matters with issues related to bankruptcy, equity, trusts, and third party disputes. Robin regularly provides detailed written advice and appears in court for pre-trial hearings, final hearings, and appeals. He also accepts briefs to draw or settle financial agreements and child support agreements. Prior to coming to the bar, Robin was an associate at the Federal Magistrates Court and a solicitor in a boutique commercial and construction law firm, practicing in both litigious and non-litigious matters. Robin has been a sessional teaching associate at the Faculty of Law at Monash University teaching administrative law and evidence. Robin has also worked for the United Nations at a war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Robin is the Victorian Bar representative on the executive of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Associate Professor Becky Batagol, Monash University
Associate Professor Becky Batagol, Monash University, is a socially engaged feminist, whose academic work has real impact in the world, especially in relation to gender-based violence. Her academic practice centres on tackling difficult social problems and considering whether we can improve people’s lives through law and policy reform in diverse contexts. Most recently, Becky has been leading transdisciplinary research teams tackling global sustainable development and gender challenges. With Assosicate Professor Janice Richardson, Becky is co-convener of the Monash Law Feminist Legal Studies Group. Becky’s research expertise centres around gender and social change. Her research is project-based across a broad range of fields, cultures and disciplines. As a lawyer, Becky has research expertise in family and gender violence; Family law and social policy; Child protection; Non-adversarial justice; Dispute resolution and Civil and criminal legal process. Recently, Becky has expanded her focus, working on tough climate change and sustainability problems for some of the world’s most vulnerable women by completing intercultural, collaborative research in Indonesia and Fiji. Becky has experience leading team-based research in a law reform, government, organisational and academic contexts. The research that Becky has contributed to has led to law reform and policy change. Becky is a prolific writer and has proven track record successfully completing reports for large projects and writing to tight deadlines. As the primary carer for two school-aged children, Becky has worked part-time since 2010 and has taken significant time out of work for maternity leave.

Marguerite Picard, Founder and Director, Support for Lawyers
Marguerite Picard is an Accredited Specialist Family Lawyer, Collaborative Practitioner, Mediator, Arbitrator, and former litigation lawyer. She is the co-, founder of Melbourne Collaborative Alliance, an interdisciplinary practice involving lawyers, psychologists and financial planners, established in 2009. Marguerite works exclusively in appropriate dispute resolution and agreement facilitation, primarily in collaborative practice. She is a member of the regular collaborative training team at Melbourne Collaborative Alliance, (MELCA) which has trained practitioners Australia wide, and has presented papers on the unique work and approach of MELCA in Europe, UK, USA, Canada and Australia. As a thought leader and non-litigating family lawyer, Marguerite's practice is focused on working with clients to articulate their interests, and to design processes that are most likely to achieve the best for whole families. The approach of MELCA is to intake whole families, and to provide the services that each or any family member requires to transition through separation. The practice is based on a recognition that separation is an emotional crisis with financial and legal consequences, rather than the reverse. One of the innovations (and challenges) of MELCA has been to work in fixed or agreed price, as part of its aim to provide an accessible and affordable alternative to adversarial negotiation and litigation, whilst recognising the necessity of the Courts within the family law system. Marguerite has undertaken extensive local and international training in collaborative practice, mediation, arbitration, conflict management, conflict transformation, family systems, working with high conflict personalities, design and creative & lateral thinking.

Jacky Campbell, Partner, Forte Family Lawyers
Jacky Campbell is a Partner at Forte Family Lawyers. She has an LLM from Monash University, doing her thesis on bankruptcy and family law. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She received the LIV Rogers Legal Writing Award in 2004 - for the article "Splitting the Super. and Selling the Home." Jacky's main publications are: consultant editor of CCH Australian Family Law and Practice; contributing author to CCH Australian Family Law and Practice to the Property, Spousal Maintenance, Financial Agreements, Maintenance Agreements, Procedure and Precedents tabs; author of the family law chapters in Thomson-Reuters Australian Financial Planning Handbook and CCH Australian Master Superannuation Guide; author of chapters of CCH Master Family Law Guide.

Meredith Fuller OAM Psychologist, Meredith Fuller and Brian Walsh Psychologists
Meredith Fuller OAM has worked for 40 years as a psychologist in private practice. She has extensive experience counselling legal professionals and consulting to legal firms. She has assisted lawyers with career change, returning to work following stress work cover, and dealing with complex client, collegial, and managerial relationships. Meredith has expertise in psychological type, has been a post-graduate psychology lecturer, and is a psychological commentator for the media. An author of many books, Meredith has recently created a free 150 page eBook with short videos and films for professionals, 'Understanding Family Violence' go to www.meredithfuller.com.au to download or pass on.

Margaret Neal, Principal, marshalls+dent+wilmoth lawyers
Margaret Neal is a Principal in the family law department of marshalls+dent+Wilmoth, a team of 11 family lawyers. Margaret has practised in family law for over 30 years and has expertise in all areas of family law work including high net worth financial cases, drafting complex agreements and parenting matters. Margaret is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. Margaret has also been recognised as a leading family and divorce lawyer by Doyle’s Guide in 2019.

Jason Walker, Partner, Forte Family Lawyers
Jason Walker is a partner of Forte Family Lawyers and has over 20 years of experience helping clients through family and relationship breakdown. He is accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a specialist in Family Law (2005). Jason has particular expertise in complex parenting matters and complex financial litigation. Jason’s practice includes international family law, often involving jurisdictional and forum disputes. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, a worldwide association of practising lawyers who are recognised by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. Jason is a member of the IAFL Executive Committee. In December 2018, Jason was elected as the Victorian solicitor representative to the Executive of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, the peak national body for Lawyers. He is the current Deputy Chair of the Family Law Section. Jason is the editor of Australian Family Lawyer and regularly presents on family law issues. Jason has also served as the Chair of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria. He was a founding member of the LIV Children’s Law Specialisation Advisory Committee, responsible for assessing and examining candidates for specialisation in Children’s Law. Jason is regularly named in the Doyle’s Guide list of Leading Family and Divorce Lawyers (Melbourne). Jason has also been ranked in the Doyle’s Guide list of Preeminent Family & Divorce Lawyers (Melbourne), Leading High-Value & Complex Property Matters Family Lawyers (Melbourne), and list of Preeminent Parenting & Children’s Matters Lawyers (Victoria). Doyle’s Guide is drawn from peer opinion. Jason is also named in Best Lawyers Australia.

Suzie Nesbitt, Integrated Programs Manager, Women’s Legal Service Victoria