Family Law: Reforms & Property Issues Conference
Cover all the recent developments in property & financial matters in family law. Examine the Family Law Amendment Bill & how to incorporate these changes into your practice. Gain valuable tips and updates on the treatment of Trust property & equitable interests from learned counsel and a review of contributions. Explore joinder issues of third parties & get your annual case update. Finally, get your compulsory CPD points in Ethics, Practice Management & Professional Skills for Family lawyers. 243Q23
Description
Attend and earn 7 CPD units including:
4 units in Legal Knowledge
1 unit in Practical Legal Ethics
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Session 1
Key Reforms, Trusts, Third Parties and Other Issues
Chair: Alex Moles, Partner, Mills Oakley, Preeminent Family & Divorce Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2023
9.00am to 9.05am Opening Comments by the Chair
9.05am to 9.50am NEW FAMILY LAW AMENDMENT BILL: Family Amendment Bill: Practical Tips in Light of the New Legislation
Explore what practitioners need to know about the impacts of the amendments on Property Division Matters and Arbitration matters in practice.
Presented by Dianne Pendergast, Barrister, Brisbane Chambers; Recommended Family Law Junior Counsel and Recommended Parenting & Children’s Matters Barrister, Doyle’s Guide 2023
9.50am to 10.35am Treatment of Trust Property and Other Equitable Interests
- Nature and types of equitable interests
- Property or s75(2)(o)?
- Kennon v Spry and subsequent decisions
Presented by Philip Looney KC, 19 Inns of Court, Preeminent Family Law Senior Counsel, Doyle’s Guide 2024 and Christopher Bishop, Barrister, Inns of Court
10.35am to 10.50am Morning Tea
10.50am to 11.35am Contributions: Key Issues to Consider
- Jabour and the holistic assessment
- The ‘springboard doctrine’
- Windfalls
- Third party contributions
- Post-separation contributions
Presented by Adam Cooper, Principal, Cooper Family Law
11.35am to 12.20pm Third-Party Issues in Family Law
- Joinder: who, when, and how
- Third parties and disclosure
- Third parties and valuations
- Third parties and loans
- A review of recent/key decisions
Presented by Damon Hatchett, Senior Associate, HopgoodGanim Lawyers and Sarah Minnery, Barrister, 19 Inns Chambers; Recommended Family Law Junior Counsel Doyle’s Guide 2023
12.20pm to 1.05pm Analysis of Recent Family Law and Property Division Cases
Gain a valuable update of the most recent, significant cases and trends from the Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court on property and financial settlements.
Presented by Genevieve Dee, Partner, Family & Relationship law, Lander & Rogers: Accredited Specialist in Family Law; Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2023
1.05pm to 1.15pm Final Q&A and Closing Comments by the Chair
Session 2
Ethics, Professional Skills and Practice Management for Family Lawyers
Chair: Genevieve Dee, Partner, Family & Relationship law, Lander & Rogers
Professional Skills
2.00pm to 3.00pm Landmines and Buried Treasure: Tax Issues and Opportunities in the Property Pool
- Identifying hidden tax and realisation costs
- Update on current tax issues
- Practical examples and how to move the needle in your client’s favour
Presented by Jennifer Veitch, Partner, Pilot Partners
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
3.00pm to 4.00pm Ethical Issues in Negotiations & Mediations
Presented by Jenny Rimmer, Jenny Rimmer Mediations; Nationally Accredited Mediator; Preeminent Family Law Mediator Doyle’s Guide 2023
4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Tea
Practice Management & Business Skills
4.15pm to 5.15pm Dealing with Difficult Clients: Setting Boundaries in your Practice
- Explore how to deal with your duty to the court, costs obligations and dealing with upset and difficult clients
- Tips and strategies for handling difficult conversations and setting your boundaries'
- Case studies and practical takeaways
- How Divorce Coaching and other experts can help
Presented by Jennifer Hetherington, Co-Founder; Accredited Specialist in Family Law and Marg Doherty, Co-Founder & CDC Certified Divorce Coach, Divorce Hub
Presenters
Alex Moles
Alexandra is a Partner and co-manages our Brisbane Family and Relationship Law practice. Alex has almost 20 years of experience practising exclusively in family law. Her philosophy is simple - highly personalised, commercial and direct advice. She is a people person who is committed to her clients obtaining the earliest possible resolution of the legal issues arising from the beginning or end of a relationship. Alex places emphasis on ensuring her clients understand all of their options and can make an informed decision in often stressful and difficult circumstances. Alex’s expertise and guidance is highly sought after and she is regarded as Preeminent in her field. Alex has a reputation for acting in high value and complex property matters including cases with businesses, companies (private and publicly listed), trusts and taxation issues. Alex has been involved in many cases involving intergenerational family businesses, succession planning and where the divorce of a parent or child affects a broader family dynamic. Alex also has extensive experience about how a loan (documented or not) or gift may be dealt with in a property settlement. Alex also has a strong parenting practice with a particular interest in high conflict cases, coercive control, personality disorders, psychiatric issues, alienation and drug and alcohol abuse. Alex has experience in mediation, child-inclusive mediation, and litigation about children. She frequently advises about how children’s wishes are taken into account in determining children’s arrangements in separated families. Alex is also trained in collaborative law, which is an interest based style of negotiation where former spouses adopt a “settlement only” strategy from the outset, which is reflected in a written agreement between the parties that neither of them will threaten or go to Court. Negotiations occur in a open and facilitated way to achieve a mutually beneficial and agreed outcome. Research shows the collaborative law process sets up former spouses for better co-parenting in the future, fosters openness, cooperation and ensures voices are heard and listened to in the process.
Dianne Pendergast
Dianne Pendergast was admitted to practice law in 1986. Since then she has practiced predominantly in family law, wills and estates, child protection and domestic violence. Dianne was a partner in a boutique practice until 1992, when she was appointed as a registrar of the Family Court where she worked as a mediator, conciliator and conducted interim hearings for the next 14 years. In 2006 Dianne was appointed to the statutory position of Adult Guardian (Qld.). Dianne has practiced as a barrister for the last 10 years.
Philip Looney KC
Philip was first called to the Bar in 1996 and took silk in 2012. He has had a diverse practice spanning Family Law, Tax and Commercial litigation. His current focus is on Family Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Philip has been recognised as a leading Queensland Senior Counsel in Doyle’s Guide in Family Law since 2015. Prior to coming to the Bar, Philip had a 14-year career as a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience both in Australia and overseas. He practiced mainly in the insolvency, corporate and forensic accounting areas working mainly for KPMG or its predecessor firms. In addition to being an AIFLAM Specialist Accredited Arbitrator, Philip is a nationally accredited mediator and acts as such in family and commercial disputes. Since December 2021, Philip has been the Queensland Barrister representative member of the Executive of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. Philip is a member of The Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM). He served as its Queensland Board Member in 2020 and 2021 and is currently one of the Family Law Section’s representatives on the AIFLAM Board. Philip is a member of 19 Inns Chambers in Brisbane and French Quarter Chambers on the Gold Coast.
Christopher Bishop
Chris was admitted as a legal practitioner in 2010 and first called to the Bar in 2023. He practices in the areas of family law and administrative law. Chris is recognised as a leading expert in the child support scheme, its legislation and associated litigation. He has advised and regularly appeared on behalf of the Child Support Registrar in administrative and family law proceedings that raise child support or international child maintenance issues. Prior to being called to the Bar, Chris was the Public Law Partner at Mills Oakley, Brisbane. During his time in private practice, Chris regularly appeared as solicitor advocate in applications for review before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and applications for judicial review before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Federal Court of Australia. His main clients included Services Australia, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Health and the National Disability Insurance Agency. Chris graduated from Monash University with a Master of Laws (JD) in 2010 and a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in 2003.
Adam Cooper
Adam Cooper is the principal of Cooper Family Law, now in its thirteenth year of operation. Prior to that, Adam was at the private bar, before taking on a special counsel role at Barry.Nilsson Lawyers. Adam is also a regular on the conference circuit, having recently given papers on applications for leave under section 44, negotiating relocation cases, and managing clients with impaired capacity. Adam is currently advising the District Court of Mecklenburg, North Carolina about Australian superannuation splitting orders, a task not made easy by the Judge’s comments suggesting grave concerns regarding how far sunk in communism Australia had become. Some many years ago, Adam was a professional footballer, and he hopes that one day he might be a professional lawyer.
Damon Hatchett
Damon is a trusted advisor who practices exclusively in Family Law. He advises clients on both matrimonial and de facto complex property settlements, as well as divorce and parenting matters. He is an active member of the Family Law Practitioners Association and was previously the Vice-President of Queensland Young Lawyers (2020). Damon holds qualifications in Laws (Honours) and Arts from the University of Queensland.
Sarah Minnery
Sarah is a Barrister in private practice. She was called to the Bar in July 2013. Prior to joining the Queensland Bar, Sarah worked in national, mid tier and boutique family law firms as a solicitor for over 10 years, including as family law partner. Sarah practises in family law, equity, trusts and mental health law. Sarah practises in all areas of family law with a particular interest complex financial matters. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (QUT), Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) (QUT) and Master of Laws (UQ). Until 30 June 2023, Sarah was one of only 16 barristers in Queensland to also hold the qualification of Accredited Family Law Specialist. A change to Queensland Law Society Rules from 1 July 2023 means barristers are no longer allowed to retain their Specialist Accreditation.
Genevieve Dee
Accredited Family Law Specialist Genevieve Dee is a partner at Lander and Rogers and has worked exclusively in family law and has fifteen years’ experience. Genevieve specialises in all aspects of family law, including parenting and property matters, financial agreements, spousal maintenance and child support issues. Doyle’s Guide 2022 has recognised Genevieve as a Pre-eminent Family & Divorce Lawyer, Leading Parenting & Children’s Matters Lawyer and Recommended Complex and High-Value Property Matters Lawyer in Brisbane. In addition, Genevieve has been named as recommended Family & Divorce Lawyer in the Doyle’s Guide 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 national listings.
Jennifer Veitch
Jennifer has a commercial services background and continues to build her experience by participating in a range of assignments including business valuations, tracing exercises and commercial litigation. Jennifer also supports the Directors in industry specific valuations, independent expert reports and financial modelling.
Jenny Rimmer
Jenny Rimmer Mediations was created to provide people in conflict the guidance they need to achieve a fair and harmonious outcome. Committed to resolving the common disputes of family separation through the process of mediation, Jenny Rimmer gives them that chance. In fact, Jenny is passionate about ensuring that people have the means to resolve their disputes themselves, without the stress and damage of expensive litigation. Read more about her background below. Jenny was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1982, and is presently a solicitor of the High Court of Australia. Jenny is a Nationally Accredited Mediator, an approved Family Dispute Resolution Provider under the Family Law Regulations, and has completed the training for Arbitration provided by the Law Council of Australia. She has practiced extensively in Family Law since 1982, after completing her Bachelor of Laws and Diploma of Legal Practice. Jenny has 36 years' experience as a legal practitioner, specialising in Family Law and defacto matters. Her previous experience as a Federal Magistrate of the Federal Magistrates Court (now the Federal Circuit Court) and Registrar of the Family Court of Australia has not only given her high-level legal knowledge, but also key insights regarding the effect of litigation on families. She has now committed her career to using that knowledge and skill base to help parties resolve their disputes in mediation.
Jennifer Hetherington
Jennifer Hetherington is the co-founder of Divorce Hub. She was admitted in 1999 and has been an Accredited Specialist since 2005. She is a Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Parenting Coordinator. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution Practice and is an experienced Collaborative Lawyer. Jennifer has served on many local committees and boards during her career, including serving as a QLS Councillor, on the QLS Family Law Committee and Specialist Accreditation Board, Secretary of the Queensland Association of Collaborative Practitioners and a Board Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Mummy’s Wish Inc. Jennifer has presented papers and workshops in Australia and internationally for numerous organisations including: Queensland Law Society; Australian Institute of Family Studies; Legalwise; LexisNexis; College of Law; Association of Family and Conciliation Courts; Education CPE; Association for Conflict Resolution - Greater New York. Jennifer has run her own firm since 2014 and in 2017 was awarded Sole Practitioner of the Year in both the Australian Law Awards and the Women in Law Awards and was a finalist for the Family Law Partner of the Year in 2018.
Marg Doherty
Marg Doherty began her professional life as a chartered accountant working for (what is now) PriceWaterhouseCoopers. She has more than 30 years’ professional experience, specialising in strategy, business transformation, financial performance, change management and business coaching and has worked in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and London. Marg has worked for various types of organisations from large global businesses and national organisations to professional practices and SMEs. She uses her own experience of separating as a mother of a toddler and newborn baby, returning to full-time work, juggling a sole-parenting role and navigating the family law system to empathise and support others on their divorce journey. Marg is a Certified Divorce Coach and combines her lived experience, financial management skills and divorce coaching methods to support family law clients in navigating the process of separation and divorce.
Venue
Hilton Brisbane
190 Elizabeth St
Brisbane City
Brisbane 4000
QLD
Australia
Directions
Due to one way road systems, please note that car access is via Elizabeth Street only. Please programme 190 Elizabeth Street if using a car navigational device.
Nearby Public Transport:Train Stations - Central Station
Bus Interchange - George Square Bus Station
Parking
Parking is not included in your registration. There is valet parking available for AU$58.00