As a boutique family law firm, our experienced team have a sound knowledge and are familiar with all current matters. Our professional staff are committed to providing a complete service and understand the importance of obtaining the most reasonable outcome in a timely cost effective manner.
Our principal, Fiona Reid is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. She has many years’ experience in all facets of family law practice including property and parenting matters, relocation, child support issues, spouse maintenance and de facto property. Fiona has practiced exclusively in the Family Law Jurisdiction since 1999. She sits on the panel of Independent Children’s Lawyers and is an active participant in training and educating other lawyers. Fiona’s primary area of expertise is complex parenting matters.
Fiona is also an experienced mediator.
Fiona lives on the Northern Beaches with her family.
Professional Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
- Bachelor of Laws
- Admitted Solicitor, Supreme Court NSW and High Court of Australia
- Member, Law Society of NSW
- Member, Family Law Selection of the Family Law Council of Australia.
Special Expertise
Rebekah's key area of expertise include complicated property matters which include family companies, businesses, Trusts, complex valuations including valuations of royalties, superannuation businesses and which also involve International Company Portfolios.
Rebekah has considerable knowledge and experience in drafting and negotiating Financial Agreements for couples prior to cohabitation, during co-habitation and following separation.
Rebekah’s commercial grounding allows her to provide sensible solutions to assist you in the process of your family law settlement. She is a strong negotiator and is dedicated to ensuring you get the best possible outcome.
Rebekah also has sound experience with matters in relation to parenting disputes including applications by grandparents, relocation matters, family violence and child support. Rebekah takes a realistic approach in handling parenting matters by identifying what is best for the children.
Personal Overview
Rebekah Dorter has been with Reid Family Lawyers as a senior associate since 2008.
Raised and educated in Sydney, Rebekah attended Macquarie University and Sydney University where she completed her double degree of Bachelor of Arts – Psychology and Bachelor of Laws.
Rebekah was admitted into the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 16 December1992 and is also admitted into the High Court of Australia.
Rebekah worked for an array of large City firms practising Commercial Law until she found her niche in Family Law. She is now a member of the Family Law Selection of the Family Law Council of Australia.
Rebekah lives on the Northern Beaches with her husband and two children.
Professional Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (Macquarie University)
- Bachelor of Arts – Psychology (Macquarie University)
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- Admitted Solicitor, Supreme Court of NSW and High Court of Australia
- Member, Law Society of NSW
- Family Law Panel, Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales
Special Expertise
Olivia has experience in conducting matters in the Local Court, Federal Magistrates Court and Family Court of Australia. She is also experienced in representing clients in Family Dispute Resolution.
Olivia is committed to representing all facets of the community and is able to identify and understand cross cultural and legal issues facing socially and economically disadvantaged people. She is on the Family Law Panel with the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales, providing private legal representation to those eligible for Legal Aid. She has represented clients with mental health issues and disabilities.
Olivia is committed to providing a complete service to her clients and has strong negotiation, written and verbal skills.
Olivia’s area of particular interest and experience is parenting matters and she is committed to achieving good outcomes for families following the breakdown of relationships.
Personal Overview
Olivia grew up on the North Shore in Sydney and attended Macquarie University where she completed her double degree in Bachelor of Arts - Psychology and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2007. She completed her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in June 2008.
Olivia was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 4 July 2008 and is also admitted to the High Court of Australia.
Olivia has been with Reid Family Lawyers as a paralegal since February 2006 which, when combined with her interest in human relationships and psychology, resulted in her choosing to specialise in family law.
Olivia has practiced as a solicitor with Reid Family Lawyers since July 2008 exclusively in family law, building her knowledge and expertise.
Hannah started with Reid Family Lawyers in July 2010.
Hannah has completed a Bachelor of Science with a major in Anatomy and Histology at Sydney University. Hannah has also completed a Master of Law and Legal Practice at UTS with a major in Family Law.
Prior to working with Reid Family Lawyers, Hannah worked as a Deputy Associate to Federal Magistrate Cameron in the General Federal Law Division of the Federal Magistrates Court, Sydney Registry for one year. Hannah then worked as the Legal Associate to the Honourable Justice Rose and the Honourable Justice Stevenson in the Sydney Registry of the Family Court of Australia. Hannah also worked as the Legal Associate to the Honourable Justice Young in the Melbourne Registry of the Family Court before returning to Sydney to commence as a solicitor with Reid Family Lawyers.
Qualifications:
- Business Administration Certificate;
Melissa is the primary point of contact for all of our clients and is responsible for keeping our front of office running smoothly. She is available at all times to help new clients, maintain client details, and assist with accounts queries/payments.
Melissa has direct access to all e-mails/faxes/letters, solicitors’ schedules and is kept regularly informed about any developments in your case to ensure she can assist with your calls and queries as efficiently as possible.
Melissa has been with Reid Family Lawyers since March 2010. She is currently completing a Legal Services course at TAFE and has completed a course through the Law Society of NSW.
Melissa lives on the northern beaches.
Qualifications:
- Legal Secretarial Training Program, conducted by The Law Society NSW
- Business Administration Certificate
Mareete is Fiona Reid’s secretary and is the first point of contact for clients with queries when Fiona is out of the office.
Mareete has worked closely with Fiona for over three years and is experienced in preparing family court documents and managing the administration of Fiona’s files.
Mareete has direct access to her incoming faxes, emails and calendar/court dates and is extremely knowledgeable on all of Fiona’s ongoing matters.
Mareete is also responsible for the overall smooth running of the practice and can help with any general queries or comments you may have about our practice.
Mareete has been with Reid Family Lawyers since 2007. She lives on the Northern Beaches.
Jan is Rebekah’s secretary and has enjoyed a close working relationship with her over many years.
Jan is an extremely experienced family law secretary with considerable knowledge in assisting with complex property administration matters that arise in family law.
Jan has a sound knowledge of Rebekah’s clients and caseload and is able to deal with queries that arise in your matter.
Jan has been with Reid Family Lawyers since February 2009. Jan lives with her husband and 4 Children on Sydney’s north shore.
Lauren has secretarial and paralegal experience in the areas of family law, care and protection law, criminal law, civil law and trademark and patent law. Lauren has a keen interest in family law and is looking forward to focusing and developing her interest in family law with Reid Family Lawyers.
Lauren works closely with Hannah and Olivia in providing administration support and in the preparation of correspondence and family court documents. Lauren also assists in the administration of the Reid Family Lawyers trust account.