Best Family lawyers In Melbourne, VIC
Separation, Divorce, Children, Child support, Spousal maintenance, Property settlement
After more than 35 years of fighting for the rights of his clients, Steven knows what it takes to right wrong and get the best outcome for each client. Experienced, innovative and understanding, Steven is the Head of Family Law for Australian Family Lawyers’ Victorian office. During his career, Steven has finely honed his skills, which includes handling the full range of family law services such as urgent matters, appeals, property and children’s cases, as well as representing clients during court appearances and mediations. Through this time he has also gained experience with non-family law litigation processes and general practice matters.
Family law, Property matters, Parenting matters, Divorce law
In 2021, Jacky was recognised as a leading family lawyer in Melbourne by Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Market as well as one of Melbourne’s recommended family lawyers in High-value and Complex Property matters and in parenting matters. Jacky was also a recommended lawyer in the Doyle’s leading family and divorce lawyers in Australia. Jacky writes extensively on complex aspects of family law and her up-to-date knowledge means that she is able to provide accurate information about the law. She combines this with offering strategic advice to clients and guidance as to the best approach to take in their particular circumstances.
Court appearances, Property settlements and related commercial disputes, Spouse and adult and child maintenance, Child support
Rowan Skinner is a family man who enjoys spending this spare time painting, gardening and educating his sons in the fine art of fast bowling. Rowan is married to his wife of 20 years and together they have two very large boys.
Rowan feeds his ability to ‘think outside the square’ through his special interests of painting and gardening. Although he concedes that he may not be the next Van Gogh or Costa Georgiadis, Rowan’s career spans nearly 30 glorious years in various legal roles including as a trial lawyer at the Victorian Bar, which he hopes brings some perspective to difficult legal problems.
Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Family Law
Tim is a founding member of the firm and has been a principal for over 35 years. He is a senior and widely respected lawyer throughout Melbourne mainly in the areas of Litigation and Family Law. He has held Specialist Accreditation in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Family Law for over 25 years. He is a former member of the Council of the Law Institute of Victoria, a former President of the Eastern Suburbs Law Association and a former Trustee of the Law Aid Trust. Tim has also been very active in sports administration and spent 25 years on the VFL Tribunal, the final eight as Chairman and is currently a board member of the Metropolitan Golf Club.
Complex financial cases, Family Law, Children’s matters
Graeme Freeman has practiced almost exclusively in the field of family law for over 30 years and has been an accredited family law specialist since November 1992. He has dealt in all areas of family law including complex financial cases. Given the volume and nature of his work he has developed an expertise in the procedural and evidentiary requirements of the Court. He has conducted complex appellate matters in the Full Court of the Family Court (children’s matters and financial matters). His experience in conducting successful litigation is also invaluable in providing clients with decisive and practical advice.
Georgia Hargreaves
- Opens 08:30 AM
- Closed 05:30 PM
Family Law, Complex litigation, Financial matters
Georgia Hargreaves has spent her career in the world of Family Law. Her ethos: to service each client with equal care. Big or small. Pragmatic, patient and well-respected; Georgia founded Hargreaves Family Lawyers after years of working in two of Melbourne’s most prominent Family Law firms hoping to offer a more client focused approach. She is mindful of the need to separate economic interest from emotional motivations. Georgia’s care, integrity, and determination are her point of difference. Georgia prides herself on her ability to advise strategically from the very beginning of a dispute and think laterally to find solutions to problems. With empathy & resourcefulness, Georgia guides her clients through what can often be an overwhelming and exhausting process. She is acutely aware of the impact of separation and conflict upon children.
Insolvency , Litigation , Family Law, Dispute Resolution
Annmarie Geros is a Dispute Resolution and Litigation Lawyer, who provides her clients with timely and pragmatic advice. With experience and expertise across various practice areas, Annmarie is well placed to spot legal issues quickly, and address them efficiently with the view of resolving disputes during the pre-litigation stage. Where necessary Annmarie is equipped to appear as a solicitor advocate, drawing on her advocacy skills from her appearance work at both the State and Federal level.
Complex financial matters, Family Law, Multi-jurisdiction financial agreements, Mentorship
Ian is a founder and Senior Partner of Kennedy Partners. He has an extensive and highly-regarded national and international family law practice, primarily in major financial cases and difficult multi-jurisdictional matters. Ian has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession as “pre-eminent in Victoria” for his expertise and position as “Australia’s best” in cross-border matters “widely noted”. In 2004 Ian was appointed a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours List for his services to the law, legal education and national and international professional organisations. Ian’s practice encompasses every aspect of family law including trial and appellate work. His particular focus and expertise are complex financial matters, expert evidence and opinion, advice, multi-jurisdiction financial agreements and mentorship. He is widely regarded as a leading authority in Australia on international family law.
Family Law, De facto, Same sex
Leanne graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1981 and was admitted to practise in WA in 1982. She’s been practising in Family Law since admission. Prior to establishing Kelly & Associates she was a partner of Counsel & Kelly Family Lawyers and, prior to that, a partner of Maurice Blackburn. Leanne was admitted to practise in Victoria in 1989 having decided to move to Melbourne to pursue a more extensive Family Law experience. She became an accredited specialist in Family Law in 1992. Leanne has presented papers to various groups on family law, de facto and same sex topics for a number of years and is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.
Family Law, Property, Conveyancing, Separation, Divorce, Domestic violence
St John (pronounced SIN-JUN) has more than 20 years’ experience helping local families through marriage, separation, divorce and domestic violence. He believes that the best approach to separation is to come to an agreement on how to share custody of your children and divide your property and assets with your ex-partner and he will support and guide you through every step of this process. Our clients appreciate his calm, friendly and practical approach and carefully considered advice. He is experienced in collaborative law, a powerful alternative way for separating couples and their lawyers to agree a settlement without having to go to court, and is experienced in family law dispute resolution. When a fair agreement is not possible, you can rely on St John’s extensive experience in family law cases to represent you effectively in court. St. John Heath is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Only a small percentage of lawyers in Victoria hold the title of Accredited Law Specialist in their area of law. This Law Institute of Victoria accreditation helps you find a lawyer who is a leader in their field. St John also leads our Property and Conveyancing practice.