Presenters

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.

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.