Skye is an accredited family law specialist who was admitted to practice in December 2007. She is passionate about resolving matters early for her clients and is committed to ensuring widespread access to the family law system. Skye is known for her compassion, technical expertise and integrity, and is frequently engaged for her expert advice on issues involving complex parenting and family violence matters.
Skye recognises the importance of helping families through the family law process in a respectful, empathetic and collaborative way. She acknowledges the importance of supporting clients through a very difficult time, and in doing so, works closely with an extensive network of therapeutic health professionals, accountants and financial advisors.
Skye prioritises resolving matters for her clients and is a current member of the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals. When required, Skye can also be an assertive and skilled advocate for her clients through the family law system.
Before joining Lander & Rogers, Skye worked as an Associate to a Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. Her extensive experience at the Court developed her understanding across a wide range of family law issues. Her detailed knowledge of the procedural requirements of the family law courts gives her a unique skillset, enabling efficient resolution of complex disputes. Clients trust her knowledge of the court, and her assessment of likely outcomes.
Skye has been extensively engaged in social science research relating to family law and family violence. She understands the importance to families of resolving conflict for the benefit of children. She has been a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.
Skye has also worked as a legal associate to several of the part-time members at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. She has worked across a range of administrative areas including taxation, freedom of information, migration and social security.
Experience
Skye provides advice across the spectrum of family and relationship law matters, and has a particular interest in complex parenting matters, including relocations, issues involving special medical procedures and complex financial matters. Holding a Master's Degree in International Relations, Skye also has a keen interest in cases that cross international jurisdictions, including overseas child abduction, overseas maintenance and child support matters.
Skye's area of expertise includes:
- facilitating negotiated resolutions through mediations and conferences
- litigating family law matters through to final hearings in both Division 1 and Division 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, including instructing junior and senior counsel
- managing complex parenting matters, including international relocation disputes, parentage disputes, special medical procedures, family violence, schooling issues, and adoption
- providing comprehensive advice on property matters, ranging from straightforward asset pools to those exceeding $100,000,000
- preparing settlement documents, including binding financial agreements and binding child support agreements
- managing child support matters, including enforcement, contravention, and registration of child support agreements.
Career highlights
Skye's career highlights include:
- successfully obtaining final parenting orders permitting a child to relocate internationally with her client, enabling her client to continue as the child's primary carer and enjoy the support of a wider family network
- successfully negotiating financial settlements for clients with complex financial structures, involving trusts and corporate entities
- successfully negotiating a long-term supervision order in a case involving significant risk issues to the children
- providing ongoing advice at the financial abuse clinic managed by Redfern Legal Centre
- authoring the Australian chapter of Chambers and Partners' 2024 Global Child Relocation Guide.
Client feedback
Feedback from a client in a complex family law matter:
"Skye has been beyond helpful, professional and honestly an objective friend through this horrible process."
Feedback from a client who successfully obtained a long-term supervision order to protect her children in a case involving significant family violence.
"Skye is an extraordinary lawyer and I feel very lucky to have worked with her in the most difficult period of my life. I will be forever grateful for what she achieved to protect me and my children.
I was two thirds of the way through a three-year family court battle when I met Skye. It was terrifying to change lawyers before a final court hearing, but she was simply incredible every step of the way.
My case was complex and involved domestic violence and abuse. Skye had a nuanced understanding of the patterns of domestic violence and coercive control, having worked for a judge for many years. Her ability to deeply understand these issues , and help clients tell their story in a compelling and balanced way, is a powerful asset when your story is all that you have.
She is amazingly human in her response which makes it easy to communicate. She’s kind but forthright when she needs to be. She’s calm and measured and very organised. I trust her opinion wholeheartedly and having been in a court room with her for approximately nine days, I can see the quiet respect that she commands. I have huge admiration for her as a person and a lawyer and the way she conducts herself."
Feedback from a member of Skye's professional network:
"Skye possesses an exceptional ability to empathise and build rapport with clients. Her empathetic nature allows her to connect with clients quickly, reflecting back to them her understanding of their circumstances. emotions and any concerns about the legal process. She fosters an environment of trust, ensuring that her clients feel heard. understood and appropriately supported during what can be an incredibly challenging and emotional time in their lives.
One of Skye's greatest strengths is her responsiveness and strategic approach to matters. She promptly addresses her clients' needs and concerns, ensuring that they are consistently informed and updated on any progress. Her strategic thinking (often outside the square) allows her to analyse complex legal situations and provide considered solutions that align with her clients' goals both in parenting and financial matters. She is also clear on when to involve or seek the advice of other professionals, always explaining to the client the pros and cons of doing so. Her knowledge of family law and the family law process is exceptional, as would be expected of an accredited specialist."