Welcome Parent
How a Parenting Coordinator can help you?
Parenting Coordination is a child centred process for conflicted divorced and divorcing parents. It is a dispute resolution technique to help parents organise their ongoing parenting arrangements before, during and after they have reached their final Court Orders. Through education, mediation and case management, the family’s post-separation progress is monitored to help parents ensure the best possible outcomes for their children.
Meet our Parenting Coordinators
Meet your Parenting Coordinators
Dr. Anne Purcell
Brisbane, Online
Brisbane, Online
Founder & Coordinator, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
07 3113 3700resolutionpartners.com.auMake BookingDr. Anne Purcell
Anne Purcell is a dispute resolution specialist focusing on the psychology of interpersonal communication and conflict. She practices as a mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner (FDRP), communication and family professional in the collaborative law process, a parenting co-ordinator and as an international speaker and trainer.
Dr Purcell holds a PhD in Developmental Psycholinguistics and a Masters of Education, Human Development and Psychology. She did her graduate studies at Harvard University in the US and The University of Queensland in Australia. Anne’s main areas of expertise are educational psychology, communication patterns, the neuroscience of conflict, and parenting styles and their impact on child development.
Anne has worked with more than a thousand families experiencing divorce, separation and family transition. She has a particular interest in high-conflict matters and non-traditional or alternative family structures. In addition, she works on estate or succession disputes, and intergenerational family conflict.
She also assists companies and corporations to reduce workplace conflict and increase productivity.
Anne has trained professionals around the world in alternatives to traditional dispute resolution and litigation processes. Her focus is on healthy children after divorce, and on-going respectful relationships between separated couples, families and colleagues.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Mediation Certificate - Bond University
- Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Certificate - Relationships Australia
- Vocational Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution Attorney-General’s Department
- Collaborative Law Training - QLD Collaborative Law and IACP
- Postgraduate - Harvard University, MA, USA and The University of Queensland, Australia
- Undergraduate - The University of Queensland, Australia
Cassandra Pullos
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Online
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Online
Founder & Coordinator, Family Lawyer, Mediator
0755263646pulloslawyers.com.auMake BookingCassandra Pullos
With over 30 years of legal experience, Cassandra knows that not all conflict can be resolved in court. Specializing in alternate dispute resolution techniques, Cassandra guides clients towards self-determined, durable and positive outcomes whilst avoiding the stress and cost that litigation places on both parents & children.
Parenting Coordination Australia is an extension of Cassandra’s vision of
protecting children from the damage associated with divorce or separation.
Through her Parenting Coordination practice, Cassandra promotes positive relationships between parents and children throughout divorce or separation. Cassandra will help clients meet their commitments and court-ordered agreements whilst minimizing conflict and stress.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Laws (QUT) 1985
- Accredited Family Law Specialist (1996)
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- Collaborative Lawyer and Trainer
- Nationally Accredited Arbitrator
- Parenting Coordinator
Avril Cowarn
Brisbane, Hobart
Brisbane, Hobart
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
0412 129 757acfam.solutionsMake BookingAvril Cowarn
Avril Cowarn is the founder and Principal of AC FAM Solutions, a family dispute resolution service that offers tailored solutions to families going through separation and divorce. She has been an educator for 30 years and a family lawyer for 20 years. This blend of experience allows Avril to be creative in problem solving, and encouraging of parents to work together to create the best opportunity for children to feel safe, heard and cared for when transitioning from a coupled family unit to a co-parenting unit.
Avril focuses on building confident communication strategies between parents. She is compassionate and alert to the pressures, stresses and traumas of separation and divorce having been through her own separation with young children. She now has two adult children in the Australian Defence Force and brings insights into the difficulties parents face in separating and divorcing with children in the Military.
Avril has worked with Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander families in the NT, Qld, Victoria, and Tasmania and focuses on removing barriers and accessing support and solutions that are culturally appropriate.
Avril is passionate to provide parents with the opportunity to learn collaborative, kind and respectful co-parenting skills in a bid to reduce high conflict parenting. Avril works hard to work with all parties to work out solutions and pathways that are best for the family circumstances.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Collaborative Lawyer & Coach
- Masters of Family Law
- Attorney General Registered FDRP
- NMAS registered Mediator
- Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Education
- Diploma of Teaching
Bron O'Loan
Sydney
Bron O'Loan
Bron O’Loan is a passionate family lawyer, practising in Sydney, Australia as the Director of O’Loan Family Law. With an enthusiasm for helping people, Bron’s core focus is to guide parents to get through the splits with their family relationships to ensure the kids are okay.
Bron wasn’t always a family lawyer. In fact, upon leaving school, Bron loved the experience so much she became a primary school teacher. Since then, she has travelled around Australia and the world as a product manager and trainer for a large IT firm, was the author of a Masters’ Degree program for teachers, was a lecturer at Charles Sturt University, and is now a best selling author of ‘The Splits – how to help your kids navigate separation and divorce.’
Bron is a trained Parenting co-ordinator and a Collaborative Practitioner.
Bron advocates for amicable and peaceful resolutions and for the children’s voices to be heard during the coordination of ongoing parenting arrangements.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Diploma of Law (LPAB)
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- Master of Applied Law (Family Law)
- Bachelor of Education
- Collaborative Practitioner
- Legal Aid Panel - Independent Children's Lawyer
- Member of Law Society of NSW
- Member of the Family Law Section
- Member of the Women Lawyers' Association of NSW
- Member of Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals
Cassandra Kalpaxis
Sydney
Sydney
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
02 7252 7111kalpaxislegal.com.auMake BookingCassandra Kalpaxis
Cassandra has a strong background in Separation and Divorce.
Cassandra is a passionate advocate for amicable and peaceful resolution of separation and for the voice of the child to be heard during the coordination of parenting arrangements. Cassandra also empowers people to take control of their separation and assists parties to come to a resolution that best meets the needs of the individual family members involved.
She is currently the Principal Lawyer at Kalpaxis Legal and the CEO and co-founder of Dispute Resolution Centre Australia.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Accredited Family Law Arbitrator
- Divorce Coach
- Child Inclusive Mediator
- Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Clare Jobson
Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Canberra
Clare Jobson
Clare Jobson, Principal Solicitor of CJ Legal, which opened in Adelaide in 2015, now based in Brisbane.
Clare is a Lawyer and Collaborative professional, having completed both the Independent Childrens Lawyer and Parenting Coordinator specialised training. In combination with her 24+ years of nursing and other experience brings a unique perspective to her practice.
As a Defence spouse, Clare has a special interest in assisting Defence families with all the unique associated challenges that military life brings. Clare’s legal career includes employment with the Department of Justice in the Northern Territory; and for Public Trustee in South Australian; in Private Practice; and in the Community Legal Sector.
A passion for social justice means Clare has worked as a volunteer solicitor for various Community Legal Services, in every state she has lived in. Clare is currently a volunteer solicitor at Women’s Legal Service in QLD.
Clare has appeared on the Happy Lawyer Happy Life (episode 121) and the Military Wife Military Life (episode 49) Podcasts and in Lawyers Weekly publications from 2018 to date.
Clare joined Balance family Law based in Canberra as a consultant in June 2020.
Clare’s superpower is empathy, she is passionate about ensuring her client’s have all the information that they need to make informed choices about their future and the future of their families. Clare’s specialty is assisting you to overcome your unique obstacles and to assist you to implement child focussed outcomes.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Parenting Coordination Australia 2021
- Advanced Collaborative Training with Clarissa Rayward 2019
- Independent Children's Lawyer - Law Council of Australia and National Legal Aid 2015
- Admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia 2013
- GDLP Australian National University & Charles Darwin University 2008
Deb Richards
Toowoomba
Deb Richards
Deb has a background in Collaborative Practice in Family Law and recently exchanged her solicitor’s cap for that of Family Dispute Resolution practitioner.
She has experience mediating within a multi-disciplinary framework including child-inclusive practice and operates an after-hours mediation service at Toowoomba called Let’s Talk About It Mediation.
Deb has a special interest in assisting families experiencing complexity
including Domestic and Family Violence, substance abuse and mental health issues. Deb is looking forward to offering Parenting Coordination to support families in the Toowoomba Region.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- BA
- LLB
- LLM Applied Law (Family) College of Law
- NMAS & FDRP QUT
Denise Giles
Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Online
Denise Giles
Denise has a background in nursing and psychology.
She spent approximately 10 years working in child protection jurisdictions in Queensland and the ACT before becoming an independent Family Report writer and Social Assessor in 2013.
Denise's focus is on providing quality positive outcomes for children and their families. She is passionate about parents resolving their issues in a collaborative process and understands parents dealing with high conflict and the stress this can have on parenting and children. She is also a Director of Scope Family Centre in Nerang which is open for family contact and has professionals from different fields working together to assist families and children. Denise is also a trained facilitator of the reflective parenting course Bringing Up Great Kids, a Child Inclusive Mediator and a Parenting Coordinator trained to the AFCC Guidelines.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology
- Parenting Coordination Australia Course Graduate
- Parenting Coordination Australia Course Graduate
Elizabeth Reardon
New South Wales, Canberra
New South Wales, Canberra
Family Lawyer, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
02 6110 2030thesettlementcentre.com.auMake BookingElizabeth Reardon
Elizabeth is a trained collaborative family lawyer, parenting coordinator and family dispute resolution practitioner practising in Canberra and surrounding NSW. Elizabeth is a creative problem solver who focuses her legal practice on non-adversarial dispute resolution and settlement.
Her objective is to assist families to take a solution focused approach to separation and post separation parenting which avoids escalation of conflict, protects their ability to make their own choices and assists families to move more quickly into new, settled lives.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Juris Doctor (Honours)
- Bachelor of Business (Finance)
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- Collaborative Practitioner
- Law Council of Australia - Family Law Section
- ACT Law Society
- ACT Law Society Family Violence and Children's Committee
- Family Law Pathways Network - ACT & Region
- Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals
- Collaborative Professionals NSW
- Canberra Collaborative Family Lawyers
- Mediation Institute
Hayley Cunningham
Brisbane, Sunshine Coast
Brisbane, Sunshine Coast
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
07 3062 6772www.familylawgroup.com.auMake BookingHayley Cunningham
Hayley is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law, legal practitioner director, and solicitor in charge of Family Law Group Solicitors. She was admitted to practice in 2003, and holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science from Griffith University. She started her own practice as a sole practitioner in 2005 as Hayley Ritchie Solicitors.
Hayley is a trained Parenting co-ordinator, Collaborative Practitioner, National Accredited Mediator/Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, and a member of Queensland Collaborative Law. She is also a member of the Family Law Practitioner’s Association. Hayley has practiced exclusively in family law since 2006, having previously been in general practice with a family law focus.
Hayley’s passion is collaborative practice and co-operative negotiation. Hayley also undertakes matters in the role of Independent Children’s Lawyer where the Court appoints a lawyer to represent the interests of children.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Science
- Collaborative Practitioner
- National Accredited Mediator
- Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- Family Law Practitioner's Association
- Accredited Specialist in Family Law
- Legal Practitioner Director and Solicitor managing Family Law Group Solicitors
Jane Libbis
Melbourne
Jane Libbis
Jane is a partner at Umbrella Family Law and Umbrella Family Support where they work with family law clients to help them start their new lives with dignity and respect.
As a long-time step-parent, Jane personally understands the twists and turns of the post-separation journey and has watched children adapting to new arrangements.
In addition to her Law and Arts degrees, Jane has a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and enjoys working empathically with her clients.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Arts
- Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Human Services - Counselling)
- Collaborative Lawyer
Jasmin Newman
Sydney
Jasmin Newman
Jasmin Newman is an accredited and registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Parenting Coordinator and Director of the Parenting After Separation Online Course.
After many years of providing support for separated parents with suicidal ideation, Jasmin became a passionate advocate for a less adversarial process. She is dedicated to helping parents resolve their parenting matters to minimise conflict and subsequent impact on their children. And so that each of the parents can move on with their lives in a more positive mindset.
Jasmin quickly builds a strong rapport with her students and clients. She has a compassionate, practical and pragmatic approach which is welcomed by those parents who are overwhelmed with their disputes and haven’t been able to find a way to resolve them.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
- Parenting Coordinator (Parenting Coordination Australia)
- Registered and Accredited Mediator (NMAS)
- Certified MindMAP Coach (cognitive and behavioural neuroscience)
- Accredited Trainer and Assessor
Jennifer Hetherington
Brisbane
Brisbane
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
1300 737 272divorcehub.com.auMake BookingJennifer Hetherington
Jennifer Hetherington is an Accredited Family Law Specialist, a Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Lawyer and Parenting Coordinator.
Jennifer believes that ‘Conflict is not Inevitable’ and that every child should have the opportunity of seeing their parents dance together at their wedding. She has worked with many families over her more than 20 year career, helping them transition towards a more positive post separation parenting relationship, despite the challenges that they may present with initially.
Jennifer is a strategic problem solver who believes that parental conflict is a problem that requires the development of a solution rather than being an insurmountable hurdle and that Parenting Coordination is an essential tool in helping parents find those solutions.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Accredited Family Law Specialist
- Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- Accredited Mediator
- Collaborative Lawyer
Judith Jordan
Adelaide
Judith Jordan
Judith has over 20 years’ experience working with families as a solicitor. Her focus is to work with parents to establish a co-parenting team to help them get it right for their children as they transition between households and support them as they do. Judith knows from her own blended family the challenges that parents face and how daunting it can be especially if litigation has or is involved.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Family Law Barrister and Solicitor
- Collaborative Lawyer
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
Kelly Stanford
Sydney
Sydney
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
1300 444 529stanfords.com.auMake BookingKelly Stanford
I love talking to people. I enjoy helping my clients find a solution to their legal problems so when the opportunity came up to train as a Parenting Co-Ordinator I jumped at it. There is a huge need for parents to engage with each other after separation and sometimes they need help doing that.
I have been really fortunate over the years to have a successful career as a both a collaborative family lawyer and family law mediator (FDRP). The benefit to my Parenting Co-Ordination Clients is that my years of experience as a Family Lawyer representing parents or children as an independent children’s lawyer, a Family Law Mediator and a Family Law Arbitrator means that there isn’t many disputes that I haven’t come across before. I am well versed in helping people identify their issues, work through their issues and moving forward with a new normal that feels like something they can live with.
My aim is to help those parents who have separated to learn to work together, for their own sanity and the benefit of their children, because, you are going to be the parents of these children, and the grandparents to their children from now until the day you die. So let's get started today working out how you will work through this new gig as separated parents together.
My main office is physically based in Camden in New South Wales, however, I have offices in both Moruya and Bega on the South Coast of NSW. I also meet with clients via Facetime, Whatsapp, Zoom, Google Duo or Teams.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Parenting Coordinator
- Mediator (NMAS)
- FDRP
- Family Group Conference Organiser
- Arbitrator
- Lawyer
Kerry Letheby
Mt Gambier
Kerry Letheby
As a retired teacher (English and language), in conjunction with 8 years experience in the mental health sector as case manager and educator, I thrive in my current role which brings these two fields together – that of Case Manager for nine years in the Post Separation Cooperative Parenting program.
The key focus of my work is to educate and prepare separated parents for mediation, and often the bitterness and hostility between parents can sabotage their negotiations. Without education and support, mediation can end up being all about ‘getting back at one another’ and losing sight of the needs of the primary victims of their ongoing conflict – their children and what might be in their best interests. I am passionate about helping parents to improve their communication, and also to explore and understand the nature of conflict – what triggers it and how to better manage it with appropriate conflict resolution strategies. A key emphasis of my work is teaching parents how to emotionally support their children through the challenge of separation, and helping them to understand what it truly means to be child focused when looking at potential care arrangements.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Case Manager in Post Separation Cooperative Parenting (2012 – 2021)
- Retired teacher (primary & secondary English) 1979 - 2010
- Parenting Coordinator (Parenting Coordination Australia)
- Managing High Conflict Personalities (Megan Hunter) 2016
Larissa Goldberg
Melbourne, Victoria
Larissa Goldberg
Larissa is the director of Goldberg Family Law Mediation and a co-founder of The FDR Collective.
In 1991, Larissa commenced her legal career and, since 2004, has worked exclusively in family law.
Larissa understands the complexity of parenting matters and working with high conflict individuals and families.
Drawing upon her interdisciplinary qualifications, experience and skills, Larissa takes a problem-solving and child-focused approach. Parent education, including child development, communications and conflict resolution, is essential for future problem-prevention and harm minimisation. The more functional the co-parenting relationship can become, the better the long-term outcomes can be for children.
A keen educator, Larissa is an adjunct lecturer at the College of Law. She also delivers presentations about family dispute resolution.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), Bachelor of Laws, and Master of Laws (Monash)
- Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- Recommended Family Law Mediator (Doyle's 2020, 2021 & 2022)
Leanne Bamford
Brisbane
Brisbane
Family Report Writer, Social Worker, Mediator
0404 055 315bamfordfamilyservices.com.auMake BookingLeanne Bamford
Leanne graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from University of Tasmania as a mature age student in 1995. Her twenty year plus career has seen her involved in the areas of Youth Justice, Child Protection, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, working for the Australian Defence Force and the Family Courts of Australia.
Her extensive experience of working with individuals and families ensured her employment as a family consultant with the Family Court in Brisbane in 2003. After 11 years with the Court, Leanne went into private practice as a family report writer and therapist working with families and individuals experiencing separation and divorce. Leanne is trained in Collaborative Practice, and is also a trained Parenting Co-ordinator.
Her varied and extensive experience has assisted Leanne in the preparation of family reports and with working with separated couples wishing to improve their post-separation communication and parenting, along with protecting their children from further exposure to adult conflict and the impact of separation and divorce.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Collaborative Practice
- Family Court Consultant
- Parenting Coordinator
- Family Report Writer
Mary Louise Hatch
Melbourne
Melbourne
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
03 9817 3480spectrumlaw.com.auMake BookingMary Louise Hatch
Mary Louise works with families to help children and parents have safe, positive relationships.
Mary Louise is a Collaborative Family Lawyer, Nationally Accredited Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Parenting Coordinator.
Mary Louise has been admitted to practice as a Legal Practitioner since 1991 and has worked almost exclusively in Family Law. In 2008, Mary Louise completed Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution training before commencing an internship as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with Relationships Australia. In 2019, Mary Louise was one of the first in Australia to undertake further training to qualify as a Parenting Coordinator.
Mary Louise holds a Master of Laws Degree in Applied Family Law and lectures and coaches in mediation and dispute resolution to organisations such as Resolution Institute, Relationships Australia, College of Law and in RMIT’s Juris Doctor Program. Mary Louise has been awarded PhD equivalence in Law at RMIT where she lectures in Family Law. Mary Louise also lectures at the College of Law in its Professional Legal Training program.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Master of Laws in Applied Family Law
- Coaches Mediation and Dispute Resolution
- Awarded PhD Equivalence in Law at RMIT
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Pierce Carstensen
Brisbane
Pierce Carstensen
Pierce is a Principal at McInnes Wilson Lawyers and is the head of the family law team.
Pierce takes a no-nonsense approach to assisting parties reach their specific goals. He is particularly interested in resolving issues that other solicitors find too difficult. Pierce prides himself on communicating complex legal solutions using frank and simple language, and giving the advice that clients need to hear.
Pierce’s communication, negotiation and problem solving skills set him apart from other lawyers within the industry.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Commerce, Griffith University
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, College of Law, Queensland
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
- Member of Family Law Practitioners Association
Rachael Murray
Brisbane
Rachael Murray
As an experienced lawyer Rachael understands that co-parenting following the breakdown of a relationship isn’t easy, particularly when parties have been through Court proceedings. Trust is at an all-time low, and parties are used to an environment of evidence building, record keeping and point scoring.
Even once final parenting orders are made, it is difficult to transition away from a litigation mindset and move forward in a positive way. We know that parental conflict leads to poorer outcomes for children in almost all areas of their life including their ability to develop meaningful relationships, achieve their educational goals and effectively manage their mental health. Yet many parents are not equipped with the skills necessary to make the move from an intimate relationship with their former partner to a co-parenting relationship. Rachael works with parents to help them make this transition, and to develop insight about the impact of their conduct on their children. No one sets out to be a bad parent, or to let their children down.
Rachael arms parents with the tools they need to make positive and constructive contributions to their child’s development. Rachael’s parenting coordination practice has a specific focus that includes high conflict matters, drug and alcohol abuse, family violence, international parenting disputes, mental health issues and children with special needs. Rachael has a particular interest and expertise in matters involving autism/Asperger’s and other spectrumal disorders.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Lawyer and collaborative professional
- LLB (Hons) BCom (Politics)
- Member of Family Law Practitioners Association, Queensland Association of Collaborative
- Professionals, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and Parenting Coordination Australia
Sarah Reid
Sydney
Sarah Reid
Sarah has been the Principal at Reid Legal since its inception in February 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Law, and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Western Sydney and a Masters of Applied Law (Family Law) from the College of Law. Sarah is also trained in and enthusiastic about collaborative law and is on the founding executive of the Macarthur Collaborative Law Group.
Sarah will complete her training to become a Nationally Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner this year.
Since her admission to practice in 2004 Sarah has cultivated extensive experience in family law, care and protection, conveyancing and wills and estates. She has held positions in government departments, a community legal centre, and private practice culminating in over sixteen years of experience.
Sarah is a committed and passionate advocate for the people of her local area as she has grown up, studied, and practiced law in the Macarthur region. She has been the President of the Macarthur Law Society since 2018, is currently the Treasurer for the Macarthur Collaborative Law Group, a committee member and Major Sponsor for the Campbelltown Thunder Netball Club and sits on the panel of lawyers for the Department of Communities and Justice as well as the Legal Aid panel in Family Law and Care and Protection.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Law
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
- Masters of Applied Law (Family Law)
- Collaborative Solicitor
- Parenting Coordinator
Shanna Quinn
Brisbane, Hong Kong
Brisbane, Hong Kong
Social Worker, Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
+61 (0)413 581 598www.shannaquinn.com.auMake BookingShanna Quinn
Shanna has experience across Australia and Hong Kong, specialising in family and relationship law and mediation. Shanna has a multi-disciplinary background as a forensic social scientist, counsellor and barrister and has worked with clients from diverse cultural, socio-economic and religious backgrounds. Her unique multidisciplinary background allows her to have a comprehensive perspective, equipping her to deal with sensitive and complex matters.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Master of Social Work
- Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution
- Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Australia
- Nationally Accredited Mediator, Australia
- Accredited Family & General Mediator and Supervisor, Hong Kong
- Accredited Arbitrator, Australia
- Trained Parenting Coordinator, Association of Family Courts and Conciliation (AFCC) compliant
Shelby Timmins
Sydney
Sydney
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
0400 045 583divorcedonedifferently.com.auMake BookingShelby Timmins
Shelby holds a Masters in Law from the University of Sydney, is a Nationally Accredited Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Conflict Coach, Collaborative Professional, Parenting Coordinator and Doyles 2019 recommended mediator.
Shelby is a training faculty member with the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, a board member of Collaborative Professionals (NSW) Inc and President of Southern Sydney Collaborative Professionals.
Shelby has over 18 years experience as a family lawyer and was an Accredited Family Law Specialist spending much of this at one of Sydney’s most respected Family Law firms.
Shelby is now an author and presenter in the area of family dispute resolution and interdisciplinary collaborative practice.
Shelby is passionate about doing things differently in the family law space and is determined to get parties, their lawyers and other professionals to look at separation, divorce and the breakdown of families in a more respectful and future focussed way.
With this in mind, Shelby stepped aside from practising law and established a boutique family law dispute resolution practice which specialises in mediation, interdisciplinary collaborative practice, conflict coaching, separation and divorce support and family law wellness workshops.
Her business is called DIVORCE DONE DIFFERENTLY!
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Arts/Law (major in Psychology)
- Masters in Law
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- Collaborative Professional/Coach
- Parenting Coordinator
- Doyles 2019 recommended Mediator
Sheree Anderson
Sydney, Melbourne
Sydney, Melbourne
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
0400 785 136mediationaustralia.com.auMake BookingSheree Anderson
Sheree Anderson is a well-rounded conflict resolution practitioner with a breadth of experience and knowledge.
Sheree is trained by Parenting Coordination Australia under the guidelines of the AFCC. She is also a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, National Mediator, non-practicing Lawyer and CPA. After a successful business career in mining and construction, she moved into law and discovering the often-destructive methods of law, particularly the family law litigation practice, shifted into non-adversarial ways of resolving disputes.
Looking to make a difference in what is a difficult time for families when separating, the ADR techniques Sheree uses are mediation, collaborative practice for property settlement and parenting co-ordination. Her objective is to ensure family law disputes are reconciled in an all-inclusive way so that children and families can transition to a new life beyond the conflict.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Sydney
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
- Master of Applied Law (Family Law)
- Specialist Accreditation in Family Law
- Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution Practice
- NSW Law Society Member
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- Member of the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals
Sophie Russell
Melbourne, Victoria
Melbourne, Victoria
Psychologist, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
0411 644 426Make BookingSophie Russell
Sophie Russell has over 20 years’ experience working with children, adults, couples and families as a registered psychologist. She is an accredited and registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, a nationally accredited mediator and a Parenting Coordinator.
Sophie brings empathy, compassion, respect for all clients to her work with separating parents. With always a focus on best interest of the children, managing and minimising conflicts in families, problem-solving, promoting effective communication, parental education on the impact of conflicts on children’s development and wellbeing are amongst the goals of Sophie’s approach. She believes that her work with clients makes a positive difference in families now and for the future, where a peaceful and amicable relationship between parents that work together ensures children feel loved, heard and safe.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution
- Attorney General accredited FDRP
- Registered Psychologist (APS, AHPRA)
- NMAS registered mediator
- Child Inclusive practice
- Smart recovery facilitator / Addiction specialist
- Family violence training
- Parenting Coordinator
Sue Adams
Melbourne
Sue Adams
Sue is a registered psychologist with over 2o years of experience in working with high conflict separated families. She also has a particular interest in trauma and has a post-graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma. She is also interested in working with families where there are resistance/refusal dynamics.
Sue worked for six years as a Family Consultant with the Family Court, both in Melbourne and in Townsville. She now has a private practice, Prosper Psychology, in which she undertakes family assessments, works therapeutically with separated parents and children, and most recently, developed a therapeutic contact program. Sue’s previous experience includes working in Children’s Contact Services, the Parenting Orders Program and the development of group programs for children from separated families.
Sue is passionate about workable outcomes for separated families, with a focus on the best interests of the children. She is aware of the challenges faced by parents and children when navigating the process of separation and is eager to assist parents in Parenting Coordination to build a healthy co-parenting alliance for the benefit of their children.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Art, Hons (Psychology), Deakin University 1998
- Post-graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma, Australian Childhood Foundation, 2014
- Certificate: High Conflict Coparenting: Interventions for Children's Alignment and Resistance 2019-2020, William James College, USA.
Tracey McMillan
Brisbane
Tracey McMillan
Tracey McMillan is the Director and CEO of Forge Legal and has practiced as a lawyer in Family Law for approximately 20 years. She was a Family Law & criminal barrister for 8 years before moving across to open her own Family Law firm. Tracey is qualified as a Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Arbitrator, Parenting Co-Ordinator and Independent Children’s lawyer. Tracey has extensive experience being involved with high conflict matters which include domestic violence, physical, psychological, sexual and drug abuse. Tracey believes in empowering people through the court process and into the future and believes that with a little bit of guidance and a non-judgemental attitude parents have the ability to not only remain out of the court system but become better parents and role models for their children. Tracey’s mantra in life and law is ‘Nothing ever changes if nothing ever changes’.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- LLB
- Admitted Lawyer (QLD, NSW, High Court) Admitted 2001
- Accredited Family Law Arbitrator
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- Parenting Co-Ordinator
Trevor Jolly
Melbourne
Melbourne
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
jolimanlawyers.com.auMake BookingTrevor Jolly
Trevor specialises in managing, and minimising, conflict in families through alternate dispute resolution techniques and effective communication strategies. He guides parents in setting new boundaries for post-relationship dynamics and new norms resulting in positive outcomes. Trevor prides himself on providing a child-focused or child-centred approach to Family Dispute Resolution, looking at roadblocks preventing parents from being that way inclined. His practice incorporates parental education in appropriate child development factors, core areas of conflict and communication strategies. Trevor is passionate about children’s parental conflict and alienation experience and enjoy assisting people to reach their potential through mediation and coaching. He has been working in the Family Law industry since 2001 and is a member of Resolutions Institute and the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Nationally Accredited Mediator
- Cinergy Conflict Coach
- Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- Parenting Coordinator
- Neuro-Linguistic and Neuro-Semantics Master Practitioner
- Neuro-Linguistic and Neuro-Semantics Master Practitioner
- Justice of the Peace
- Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
- Child Inclusive Practice
Vanessa Mathews
Melbourne
Melbourne
Family Lawyer, Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
1300 635 529mflaw.com.auMake BookingVanessa Mathews
Vanessa Mathews is the founder and managing director of award winning firm Mathews Family Law & Mediation Specialists and Byron Bay Family Law & Mediation Specialists.
She is a fully accredited family law specialist, family dispute resolution practitioner and mediator, and trained parenting coordinator.
Vanessa has the rare combination of social work qualifications and experience, combined with more than 20 years’ experience as a lawyer and mediator; it makes her approach to resolving legal relationship issues both sensible and sensitive. A commerce degree adds a financially astute aspect to her practice.
Vanessa has extensive experience in complex issues that arise from relationship breakdown, and works in partnership with her clients, who regularly describe her as empathetic.
Vanessa provides clients with easy access, regardless of their location, by the use of the best available technology such as web conferencing.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor of Law
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Accredited Family Law Specialist
- Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- Accredited Mediator
- Finalist, Law Institute of Victoria, Boutique Law Firm of the Year (2019)
- Family Law Firm of the Year (Global, 2019)
- Family Law Mediator of the Year (Global, 2019)
- Leading Victorian Family Lawyer (Doyles, 2019, 2020)
- Recommended Family Law Mediator (Doyles 2019, 2020)
- Leading Parenting & Children’s Matter Lawyer (Doyles 2019, 2020)
- Leading Victorian Family Law Firm (Doyles, 2019, 2020)
- Relationships Australia / Federal Circuit Court ‘Access Resolve’ Mediation Service
Yvette Strawbridge
Perth
Perth
Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP)
0400 041 806perthmediationandcounsellingservices.comMake BookingYvette Strawbridge
Yvette is a diversely qualified and experienced eclectic Health Professional, Accredited Senior Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Clinical Member of Resolution Institute, an Accredited NMAS Mediator, Yvette is also trained as a Parenting Coordinator and a Collaborative Professional in Family Law and Wills and Estates. Clinical Member of International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Registered Clinical Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Credentialed Mental Health Consultant and Advanced Clinical Professional Supervisor/Coach/Mentor, with a diverse range of skills and areas of expertise. Yvette has been working as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Mediator since May 2009 (13 years). See Perth Mediation and Counselling Services WA web site for more detailed information. In Mediation and as a Parenting Coordinator, Yvette works with couples, parents and corporate clients using her highly effective interpersonal skills engaging with them and facilitating meaningful and sustainable resolutions for the future, often with transformative results. Yvette is in the unique position as an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner to also be able to offer Child Inclusive Practice by seeing children as a Child Consultant and as a Parenting Coordinator. Yvette sees children to provide feedback to parents to assist and enable them to consider the needs and best interests of their children.
Courses, Qualifications & Experience:
- Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Mediator
- Child Inclusive Practice Consultant
- Parenting Coordinator
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Family Professional and Coach
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Family Professional and Coach
- Registered Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist
- Credentialed Mental Health Consultant/Practitioner
- Advanced Clinical Professional Supervisor/Mentor/Coach
- RN RM CHN CMHP B Ap Sci (Nursing Mgt)
- Family Dispute Resolution/Mediation Practitioner R1003098
- Credentialed Mental Health Nurse Practitioner No: 0736
- Post Grad Dip in Arts (Family & Marital Counselling)
- Post Grad Dip in Health Sci (Rehabilitation Counselling)
- Post Grad Dip in Health Sci (Rehabilitation Counselling)
- Master of Social Science (Health Counselling)
- Voc Grad Dip in Family Dispute Resolution
- Clinical Member of Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia Reg.20963
- Clinical Member of Psychotherapists & Counsellors Assoc of WA
- Clinical Member of Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
- Clinical Member of Resolution Institute & AMA
- Clinical Member of International Academy of Interdisciplinary Collaborative Professionals
