Melissa has practiced almost exclusively in Family Law since 2006 and has been an Accredited Family Law Specialist since 2013.  Having worked in Victoria and NSW, as well as in city, country and regional areas, she has a sound understanding of the many issues facing her family law clients.

Melissa understands that relationship breakdowns can be a very stressful and emotional time for most people.  She therefore works with her clients to resolve their matters in a way that not only seeks to obtain an outcome that is in their best interests and that of their children, but which is also aimed at helping her clients to move on with their lives with dignity.  With this in mind, Melissa is therefore a strong supporter of forms of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation.

Understandably not all matters can be resolved by consent, and as such, where matters do need to be litigated, Melissa has the necessary skills and experience to provide effective legal representation and guidance to her clients through the Family Court process.

Expertise

• Property matters, including taxation issues and complex legal structures
• Cases with farming businesses and family businesses
• Financial Agreements (“pre-nups” and agreements entered into during and after a relationship)
• Spousal maintenance
• Parenting matters
• Relocation matters
• Acting for grandparents and other family members in parenting disputes
• Cases involving child abuse, neglect and family violence
• Child Support
• Same-sex and De-facto relationships
• Divorce
• Intervention Orders

Qualifications

• Masters of Applied Law (Family Law) – College of Law
• Bachelor of Laws – University of Newcastle
• Bachelor of Arts – University of Newcastle
• Diploma of Legal Practice – University of Newcastle
• Graduate Diploma of Law – University of Sydney
• Advanced Mediation Skills & Theory – Monash University
• Collaboratively Trained – MELCA

Memberships

• Law Institute of Victoria
• Maintenance & Property Committee – Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria
• Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia