Presenters

Associate Professor Becky Batagol, Monash University
Dr Becky Batagol is an Associate Professor of Law at Monash University. Becky works across law reform, government, civil society organisation and academic contexts to tackle difficult social problems and consider whether we can improve people’s lives through law and policy reform. Becky has research expertise in family violence; family law and social policy; child protection; non-adversarial justice and legal process. Becky has developed and teaches Australia's first law and family violence unit which is open to both JD law students and practising lawyers doing their Masters of Laws at Monash University. The impact of her work is demonstrated through significant family law and family violence law reform and through increased awareness of the problems of gender inequality.


Marguerite Picard, Founder and Director, Support for Lawyers
Marguerite is the founder of Support For Lawyer, mediator, former accredited specialist family lawyer and collaborative practitioner, teacher and trainer, with 40+ years’ experience. Interdisciplinary practice is one of the ways Marguerite has developed a trauma informed approach, working closely with psychologists and social workers as embedded team members. This model protects clients by integrating diverse expertise to address the complex needs that arise in family law. Marguerite has pioneered approaches that shift focus from blame to client wellbeing, supporting lawyers and clients alike. Her work emphasises understanding how trauma shapes client behaviour and equips practitioners with practical strategies for managing anger, aggression and difficult interactions, both with clients and opposing parties. Marguerite firmly believes that a trauma informed practice is fundamental to family law because it recognises the profound impact of trauma on clients’ lives, choices, and interactions with the legal system. She advocates for an approach that not only improves outcomes for clients but also creates a healthier, more sustainable professional environment for lawyers. With extensive experience in peacemaking and changemaking, Marguerite regularly presents at conferences and trains collaborative practitioners in Australia and internationally.


Meredith Fuller OAM, Psychologist and Author, 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.

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
Suzie manages the Integrated Programs Team (social workers and financial counsellors) at Women’s Legal Service Victoria and is responsible for the Health Justice Partnership and Domestic Violence Unit Link Program and is part of the Managing Lawyers team. Her 25-year career in Community Services began as a Community Development practitioner spanning mental health, homelessness, and family violence. As an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, and Child Inclusive Practitioner she has practiced in Family Law for many years. And during this time has run evidenced based post separation parenting and children’s groups. As a manager, Suzie has led Family Relationship Centres and helped implement the Northeast Melbourne Orange Door (specialist family violence service). This involved direct practice casework of complex high-risk women, systems advocacy, and practice development in a Practice Leader role. Suzie is an accredited Safe and Together Trainer and a qualified group supervisor with a special interest in communities of practice and reflective practice facilitation.