Best Lawyers in Australia for Family Law

Judy Stewart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Judy, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Judy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Spender is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. John, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Beth Jarman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Beth, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Beth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brett Hartley is a top Lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Brett, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brett is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. In his career as a family lawyer, Brett has acted for clients with a combined net worth of over ten billion dollars. Examples of his succe...

Wendy is a highly experienced accredited family law specialist and an accredited family law arbitrator. Her strong preference is to assist clients settle their family law issues in a conciliatory manner through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or through the collaborative law process. However, if litigation is necessary Wendy will take immediate action to protect her client’s position. Much of Wendy’s work is with financial agreements and the often difficult corporate, trust an...

Timothy Gough is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Timothy, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bonnie Phillips is an Accredited Family Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria and has been recognised in Best Lawyers and as a Preeminent Family & Divorce Lawyer in Regional Victoria in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide. Bonnie is a Director and Principal of Coulter Legal and acts for clients in all aspects of Family Law, ranging from divorce and intricate parenting matters, through to complex and multifaceted financial matters, including multi-party international disputes. Bonnie ...

Alison Ross is a Brisbane-based family lawyer at HopgoodGanim, where she advises individuals and families navigating separation, parenting arrangements and property matters. Her practice focuses on family law and family law mediation, with an emphasis on practical solutions that reflect each client’s circumstances. She is known for her calm approach and clear communication, particularly during periods of personal and financial change. Alison regularly assists clients in both negotiated ...

Adele Katzew is our Head of Family Law, a Principal, and Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Adele’s strength is helping people feel comfortable whilst they're dealing with the legal complexities and emotional strain of separation and divorce . She achieves this by helping clients identify and get a positive outcome, sorting things out on their behalf - and most importantly, providing people with as much certainty as possible when their lives may feel out of t...

Stephanie Doyle is a highly respected family lawyer in Australia, known for her extensive experience and expertise in family law matters. With 20 years of experience, Stephanie is committed to continuing her professional education and is currently serving as the Chair of the LIV Family Law Section Education Work Group. She is also a member of the LIV Family Law Section Courts Practice and Executive Committees, where she advocates for the family law profession and education of the profession m...

Jacky Campbell is annually recognised as a leading family lawyer in Melbourne by Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Market as well as one of Melbourne's leading family lawyers in High-value and Complex Property matters, a Leading Family and Divorce Lawyer, and a a Leading Parenting & Children’s Matters Lawyer. She is also recognised as one of the Best Lawyers in Australia . Jacky is a founding partner of Forte Family Lawyers and has been working in family law for over 40 ye...

Kate Rafton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Kate, who practices law in Parramatta, Australia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kate is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

I practice exclusively in family law and have done so for the better part of the last 25 years. I have developed a reputation for resolving complex financial and parenting matters in a sensitive but structured way. You can rely on me to provide you with honest and practical advice. Whether you are in the process of separating or needing to protect yourself with a pre-nuptial agreement you can be sure that I will look after your interests. I will keep you informed every step of the way and giv...

James holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and a Masters of Law. James has practiced exclusively in family law since admission. He is experienced in all aspects of family law including complex property matters, contested parenting matters, Financial Agreements, Child Support matters, same-sex/LGBITQ matters, surrogacy and alternative conception procedures and Intervention Order matters. James prides himself on providing practical and cost-effective advice to ensure t...

Deano is the managing Director of Simonidis Steel lawyers. From the commencement of operations in 2001, Deano has expanded the firm to the Gold Coast and more recently to Brisbane’s Northside to cater for a growing clientele. Practicing Family Law for 26 years, Deano has been Accredited by the Queensland Law Society as a Family Law Specialist due to both his experience and credentials in the field. It is no surprise that the hard work of Deano and the firm collectively were recognised b...

Kimberly Hunter brings expertise and empathy to the practice of family law. She has wide-ranging experience in family law across a variety of settings and contexts and amongst a diverse client base. Kimberly started her career in New Zealand where she was admitted. She spent time in the UK where she was actively involved in complex children cases. Kimberly became a Director of Clancy & Triado in 2000 after joining the firm in 1998. She gained specialist accreditation in Family Law from th...