The Honourable Justice Altobelli AM
Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
Speakers
INTRODUCING OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER
JAHAN KALANTAR
Jahan Kalantar is a Sydney-based criminal lawyer, social media commentator, entrepreneur, university lecturer, sought-after speaker, and best-selling author.
He is known for his sharp insights and engaging humour, offering a unique perspective on current events and the realities of life.
As the Founder and Managing Partner of Executive Law Group, Jahan’s expertise extends beyond the courtroom into the realms of communication, leadership, and mental health.
Drawing from his experience as an advocate, Jahan believes in the transformative power of authentic self-expression. His mission is to empower individuals to "master the talk" so they can confidently "walk the walk" - putting words into meaningful action.
With over 460,000 followers on TikTok and a widely acclaimed TEDxSydney talk, Jahan’s blend of legal wisdom and life lessons continues to inspire and educate people worldwide.
The Honourable Justice Altobelli AM
Justice Altobelli was first appointed to the family law bench in 2006 and then elevated to the Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia (Div 1) in 2020 based in Sydney. He graduated Bachelor of Laws in 1980, Master of Laws in 1986 and Doctorate in Juridical Science in 2000. Tom also has a Graduate Diploma in Divinity and Graduate Certificate in Chaplaincy. He is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Law, Western Sydney University. Tom has authored 4 books on family law and dispute resolution as well as over 50 articles in Australian and international journals. Tom sits on the Board and is the Secretary of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and is Chair of the International Committee. In 2023 Tom was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of significant service to the law and legal education.
Session
Topic: Dealing with the AI Tsunami as a Family Lawyer
Time: 3:30pm to 4:15pm
Dr Catherine Boland
Principal, The Relationspace
Dr Catherine Boland
Dr. Catherine Boland is a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in working with children, young people and parents who are experiencing relationship issues and are in situations of family conflict and separation. She is an accomplished speaker, author and clinician who understands the complex realities of child and adolescent mental health and provides evidence-based direction to those who work with them. Catherine is an experienced therapist offering services to families in Court proceedings where children are involved. Catherine has developed a model by which families ordered to attend therapy are assessed, treated and reported. She is frequently called upon to interview families in the context of providing expert opinion and report.
Session
Topic: Parenting in Transition: Risk, Reform and Re Andrew
When: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Professor Macdonald (Mac) Christie PhD (Pharmacology)
Christie's Consulting Pharmacologists
Professor Macdonald (Mac) Christie
Professor Macdonald (Mac) Christie was awarded his PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Sydney in 1983. After the award of prestigious national and international research fellowships, he served as a permanent research leader and lecturer in Pharmacology at the University of Sydney from 1990. He has held the position of Professor of Pharmacology since 2001. He has been the continuous recipient of major research funding and research fellowship awards from Australian government agencies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council since 1991. He has published well over 230 peer-reviewed research publications, many in the world’s most prestigious research journals.
His research on drugs and the brain, particularly opioid drugs, has been recognised by an award for being one of the world’s most highly cited scientists. He has served on editorial boards of major international scientific journals and Boards of Directors of several research institutes. Throughout his career he has acted as a consultant and invited lecturer concerning the actions of drugs and alcohol on the brain and behaviour to clients including; governments, senior medical professional bodies, industry and the legal profession including various proceedings including criminal, compensation, family law and unfair dismissal matters relating to misuse of drugs and alcohol. This has included regular provision of expert evidence for the Crown, Legal Aid in NSW and other states, the Public Defender, and various private law firms concerning drugs and alcohol
Session
Topic: Family Law and Forensics: Understanding Toxicology in Parenting Matters
When: 11:30am – 12:15pm
The Honourable Justice Suzanne Christie
Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
The Honourable Justice Suzanne Christie
Admitted to practice as a Barrister in 2004 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2018, the Hon. Justice Christie came to the bench with a background in family law, and related matters in both State and Federal Courts, including in adoption and Appellate advocacy. Justice Christie was until appointment one of the authors of Lexis Nexis Annotated Family Law Legislation and was the contributing author to the Financial Agreements chapter in Halsbury’s Laws of Australia. Her Honour has regularly lectured for the profession and as a guest at various universities. Prior to coming to the bench Justice Christie contributed to numerous conferences and law journals and this is a continuing interest. She is a member of the Court’s International Committee and has a special interest in the collaborative work with the Supreme Court of Indonesia. She is also a member of the Court’s Children’s Committee and the working group on Interpreter policy. Her Honour is a participant in the UTS Law High Achievers Mentoring Program.
Session
Topic: Parenting in Transition: Risk, Reform and Re Andrew
When: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Dara Isaacson
Counsel, Holmes List
Dara Isaacson
Dara was called to the Bar in 2020 and has extensive experience in family law and related jurisdictions. Prior to being called to the bar, Dara was a Senior Associate at Lander & Rogers in Melbourne and previously worked in Canberra at a prominent national family law firm.
Dara’s experience includes parenting matters, family violence, international relocation and Hague convention, Financial Agreements, property settlement matters, including involving third party interests, business structures and trusts. Dara has also worked as a solicitor in Wills & Estates and brings this knowledge to her family law matters.
As a solicitor, Dara regularly appeared on behalf of her clients in interlocutory and interim matters in the Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court of Australia. Dara honed her advocacy skills while working in Canberra from 2011 until 2014, as a fused jurisdiction of barristers and solicitors, she was afforded much more appearance work than solicitors in other jurisdictions.
In addition to her work as a solicitor, Dara has also worked for Oxfam in the Solomon Islands, for a not-for-profit local organisation in Nicaragua, and for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Tanzania.
Dara accepts briefs in all aspects of family law matters and related jurisdictions. She has particular interest in financial matters involving Property Development aspects as well as complex superannuation issues.
Dara is an LIV Accredited Family Law Specialist and also an accredited AIFLAM mediator.
Session
Topic: Property Settlements Post-Reform: Insights from the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 and Shinohara
When: 10:00am – 11:00am
Michael Kearney SC
Waratah Chambers
Michael Kearney SC
Michael Kearney was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in January 2000 and appointed Senior Counsel in October 2012. Michael practised as a solicitor from 1994 until 2000. Since admission as a legal practitioner he has practised predominantly in the area of family law.
The majority of Michael's practice is in the area of family law, encompassing all issues including complex financial and parenting disputes. Michael has a particular speciality in appellate work in the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia throughout Australia and also appears in the NSW Court of Appeal and High Court of Australia.
Michael also acts as a mediator and is an accredited arbitrator and a member of the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators.
Michael is currently the Chair of the Family Law Committee of the Australian Bar Association and has been the New South Wales Barrister representative on, and Treasurer and Deputy Chair of, the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia; a Member of the New South Wales Bar Association, Chair of the Family Law Committee of the Association and a member of its Professional Conduct Committee and the NSW Bar News Committee; Appeals Editor of the Australian Family Lawyer; and a Casenote Editor of the CCH publication ‘Current Family Law’.
Since 2015 Michael has been consistently recognised by the Doyles Guide as one of the pre-eminent family law Senior Counsel in New South Wales and Australia.
Session
Topic: Dealing with the AI Tsunami as a Family Lawyer
Time: 3:30pm to 4:15pm
Liz Kofoed
Partner, Lander & Rogers
Liz Kofoed
Liz is a partner in Lander & Rogers' Melbourne office and an accredited family law specialist. She is widely recognised by the legal industry as one of Australia's leading family lawyers and is consistently acknowledged in national publications and at industry awards for her outstanding contributions to family law.
Liz holds a Master of Laws specialising in tax from the University of Melbourne and has a special interest in commercial and tax law issues relating to complex family law property cases. Liz relies on her unique depth of knowledge to pursue commercially favourable outcomes for her family law clients.
Liz is reassuring and empathetic in her approach with clients. She is their trusted advisor, with an intrinsic understanding of the challenges and hardship experienced by people contemplating or experiencing a separation. Having completed an undergraduate degree in psychology before studying law, Liz brings this additional knowledge and experience to her practice.
Liz is recognised in several categories in the 2021 to 2025 editions of the peer-reviewed Doyle's Guide. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, she was ranked among the leading family & divorce lawyers in Australia. Prior to that, from 2017 to 2020, she was named in Doyle's Guide as a Family Law Rising Star.
Since 2022, Liz has been recognised in the annual Best Lawyers in Australia publication for family law.
Session
Topic: Property Settlements Post-Reform: Insights from the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 and Shinohara
When: 10:00am – 11:00am
Patrick Parkinson AM, MA, LLM, LLD
Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Queensland & Special Counsel, Watts McCray Lawyers
Patrick Parkinson
Patrick Parkinson AM, MA, LLM, LLD is an Emeritus Professor of Law and former Dean of Law at the University of Queensland. He is also Special Counsel at Watts McCray Lawyers. Professor Parkinson is a specialist in family law, child protection, law and religion and the law of equity and trusts. His books include Australian Family Law in Context (8th ed, 2023), Tradition and Change in Australian Law (5th ed, 2013), Family Law and the Indissolubility of Parenthood (2011), The Voice of a Child in Family Law Disputes (with Judy Cashmore, 2008), Child Sexual Abuse and the Churches (2nd ed, 2003) and Principles of Equity (editor, 2nd ed., 2003). Professor Parkinson served from 2004-2007 as Chairperson of the Family Law Council, an advisory body to the federal Attorney- General, and also chaired a review of the Child Support Scheme in 2004-05 which led to the enactment of major changes to the Child Support Scheme. He was President of the International Society of Family Law from 2011-14.
Session
Topic: Property Settlements Post-Reform: Insights from the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 and Shinohara
When: 10:00am – 11:00am
Dr Elizabeth Pearson
Special Counsel, Barkus Doolan Winning
Dr Elizabeth Pearson
Dr Elizabeth Pearson is respected across the legal profession and government sectors as a trusted legal mind, effective communicator and empathetic practitioner. Elizabeth has advised in the public and private sectors on law reform and policy development for more than ten years, before joining Barkus Doolan Winning as Special Counsel in May 2023. Her unique commercial law and policy expertise, coupled with her exceptional skill set, are invaluable in complex matters and trials. As a solicitor, Elizabeth worked at global firm Baker McKenzie before moving in-house to serve in senior legal policy roles at State and Federal peak representative bodies in the legal profession.
Elizabeth has served as Advisor to Law Council President Arthur Moses SC, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the NSW Bar Association and Specialist Consultant to the Law Council and its Family Law Section. Elizabeth holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Sydney, where she placed first in her cohort in Equity and Interpretation, and was recognised on the Dean’s List of Excellence in Academic Performance. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law at the University of Sydney in April 2025 and received the Walter Reid Memorial Fund Award for her doctoral studies. Her thesis “Flogging a dead maxim? The future viability of the ex turpi rule in Australian law” concerned illegality and contract law.
Session
Topic: Property Settlements Post-Reform: Insights from the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 and Shinohara
When: 10:00am – 11:00am
Leah Reid
Counsel, Greenway Chambers
Leah Reid
Leah Reid is a Sydney-based barrister specialising in family law, employment law and industrial relations, and commercial law and equity. Before coming to the bar, Leah spent two years as the legal associate to The Hon Justice Watts in the Family Court of Australia. She then practised as a family law solicitor, appearing in the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court (including its appellate division) in complex property, parenting and child support proceedings. Leah has also been employed as in-house counsel at a data analytics company, where she advised on a range of legal areas including Australian and international privacy law, intellectual property, contract law and employment law. She worked closely with senior executives and was renowned for her attention to detail. Outside of her work as a lawyer, Leah has tutored at Wollongong University. She also regularly co-authors and presents seminars on family law for practising lawyers, including for the NSW Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation program.
Session
Topic: 6 Hot Topics in Family Law
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Melanie Rubin
Director, Rubin Blight Hardy Family Lawyers & Mediators
Melanie Rubin
Melanie Rubin is a Director of Rubin Blight Hardy Family Lawyers & Mediators and is a highly respected and experienced family lawyer. Melanie is known for her strategic approach, attention to detail, and deep understanding of the complexities of family dynamics. She has acted in a wide range of matters including high-net-worth property settlements, varied and complex parenting matters, financial agreements, child support and family violence matters. With a strong commitment to dispute resolution including mediation and collaborative practice she works with clients to achieve outcomes outside of Court. At the same time, she brings a methodical approach to litigation where necessary. Melanie is well regarded for her complex family law work, her child focussed, sensitive and pragmatic approach and is committed to promoting client focused and commercially sensible outcomes in family law.
Melanie is a trained collaborative lawyer, mediator, Accredited Specialist in Family Law and recognised as a Preeminent Parenting and Children’s Matters Lawyer and a Recommended Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer in Sydney in Doyles Guide and is recognised by Best Lawyers for Family Law in Australia.
Session
Topic: Family Law and Forensics: Understanding Toxicology in Parenting Matters
When: 11:30am – 12:15pm
Karen Shea
Counsel, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Karen Shea
Karen specialises in family law and children’s care and protection.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Karen practiced as a family law solicitor for 18 years.
Karen was a Family Law Advocate at Legal Aid NSW from 2009 to 2018. She has extensive experience in appearing for parties and children’s representatives in interim and final hearings in the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court, care hearings in the Children’s Court, and care appeals in the District Court.
She also has experience in adoption proceedings and complex matters involving children and young people in the parens patriae jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
In addition to her practice, Karen co-teaches Family Law Advocacy & Practice and Children’s Law at the University of NSW.
Since 2021, Karen has been named on the Doyles list of Leading Family Law Junior Counsel (NSW) and Leading Parenting & Children’s Matters Barristers (NSW).
Session
Topic: Parenting in Transition: Risk, Reform and Re Andrew
When: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
The Honourable Garry Watts AM
Former Justice of the FCFCOA (Div 1)
The Honourable Garry Watts AM
The Honourable Garry Watts AM started practising family law the year the Family Law Act commenced. Until 2005 he was senior partner at Watts McCray.
In 2005 he was appointed as a Justice of the Family Court of Australia and in 2018 appointed to its Appeal Division.
In 2022 Garry retired from the FCFCOA. He now is an Acting District Court Judge, mediator, arbitrator and works on projects to improve AI assisted tools for family lawyers to use.
Session
Topic: 6 Hot Topics in Family Law
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Fiona Kirkman
Matter AI Specialist and Accredited Specialist in Family Law, CORTO
Fiona Kirkman
Fiona Kirkman is a Matter AI Specialist and Accredited Specialist in Family Law with a strong focus on the practical and ethical integration of artificial intelligence into legal practice. She combines deep expertise in family law with hands-on experience working alongside technologists to develop and apply AI tools that support legal reasoning, drafting, and decision making. With over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer, mediator, and educator, Fiona brings a grounded and realistic perspective to the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies. She regularly supports family lawyers and other legal professionals to understand how AI can enhance efficiency, improve the quality of work, and meet evolving professional and competency obligations, while reinforcing that sound judgment and responsible use remain central to effective practice.
Session
Topic: Dealing with the AI Tsunami as a Family Lawyer
Time: 3:30pm – 4:15pm
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