Best Lawyers in Australia for Family Law
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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...
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...
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.
Ian Kennedy AM is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Ian, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Katrina’s focus is on providing her clients with a high level of service and care. Drawing on her experience and expertise in Family Law, Katrina provides considered, strategic and practical legal advice to her clients. Katrina has extensive experience advising clients on all aspects of the Family Law process, including negotiated agreements, mediation and defended litigation. She ensures her clients have a clear understanding of their entitlements and obligations, so that they can make...
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 ...
Lisa Lahey is a Brisbane-based family lawyer at HopgoodGanim. She advises individuals and families on a broad range of family law matters, with a focus on practical guidance during periods of change. Her approach reflects a clear understanding of the legal framework and the personal considerations that often accompany family law disputes. Lisa’s practice includes assisting clients with parenting arrangements, property settlements and related negotiations. She works closely with clients ...
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.
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...
Leeann is a Special Counsel in our Family and Relationship Law practice. Leeann practices exclusively in family and relationship law and advises clients on both matrimonial and de facto property settlements. Her experience includes advising on alternative dispute resolution (including collaborative law), child-related matters, spousal maintenance and binding financial agreements.Most recently, Leeann was named in the 12th edition of Best Lawyers, Australia for Family Law. Leeann holds qualifi...
Jason Walker is a Partner at Forte Family Lawyers and is an accreditation specialist in Family Law (2005). Jason has over 25years of experience helping clients through family and relationship breakdown. He has particular expertise in complex parenting matters and complex financial litigation, acting for high net worth individuals in matters involving trusts, companies and businesses. Jason’s practice includes international family law, often involving jurisdictional and forum disputes. H...
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 ...
Kathleen is a Partner practising exclusively in Family and Relationship law. Kathleen has extensive experience advising on relocation matters, international disputes, family violence and general parenting issues that arise upon the breakdown of a relationship. Kathleen advises clients on the financial issues arising upon a separation and ensures settlements are finalised as quickly as possible. As an Accredited Specialist (Family Law), as well as a responsive and accomplished practitioner, Ka...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.