Kirsty is a Senior Associate in the Sydney team. With over 10 years' experience working exclusively in family and relationship law, Kirsty has specialist knowledge managing complex family law cases. Kirsty spent several years working in specialist family violence and legal units, where she developed expertise in understanding the nuances of domestic violence, and working with clients in a trauma-informed manner.
Kirsty is passionate about resolving issues through negotiation, mediation, and less adversarial processes whenever possible. Kirsty's empathetic and considered nature, combined with her practical and comprehensive approach, allows her to quickly build rapport and trust with her clients.
When litigation is necessary, Kirsty is an experienced litigator who advocates strongly for her clients, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and empowered in the process.
Experience
Kirsty assists clients involved in a wide range of family and relationship disputes, including:
- resolving both parenting and property matters at mediation to avoid the risk of lengthy and costly litigation
- managing complex parenting matters involving serious risk issues including family violence, drug and alcohol issues, parental alienation, relocation and recovery of children
- appearing on behalf of her clients in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in a range of matters, including procedural and interim hearings
- providing advice and representation on property matters and spousal maintenance, including negotiated agreements, mediation and defended litigation where necessary.
Career highlights
Kirsty's career highlights include:
- successfully preparing and running an urgent ex parte interim recovery application resulting in the cross-border return of a vulnerable child to the mother
- obtaining orders for sole parental responsibility in parenting cases involving significant risk to children
- running complex parenting matters to trial, including those involving serious allegations of family violence, mental health issues, drug and alcohol issues and high conflict parenting arrangements.
FAQs
What approach do you adopt when advising clients?
I take a supportive and understanding approach, working together with clients to find solutions, but I’m also prepared to stand up and advocate strongly in court when needed.
Do I have to go to Court to resolve my matter?
There are several ways to resolve family law matters without the need for litigation, including direct negotiations with your partner, lawyer-assisted negotiations and private mediation. A combination of these approaches may be utilised depending on the circumstances of the case.
Who will be on my legal team?
As the most experienced family law team in Australia, our resources mean that we can match each client with a legal team based on the complexity of the matter, the financial position of the client, and the level of expertise the matter will require. Often, we arrange for a senior and junior lawyer, together with their legal assistants, to work with you. This provides you with multiple contact points at the firm and provides a cost effective offering, with the work divided between the lawyers appropriately.