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Reid Family Lawyers has been helping families navigate their separation on the Northern Beaches for 20 years. In 2017 we opened our Surry Hills office. Our growth reflects the relationships we have built with our clients, our wider reputation in the family law space and the outstanding outcomes we achieve.
At Reid Family Lawyers, our emphasis is on providing you with advice about the outcome you can reasonably expect to achieve and then helping you navigate the legal process to achieve that outcome in a timely and cost-effective way.
Our ethos is to “do no harm”, in recognition that long after your matter with us ends, your relationship with your ex and your children will continue.
Our founder, Fiona, is an accredited specialist in family law, holds a Master of Laws (Applied Family Law) and is a Graduate Fellow of the College of Law. She is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and is a Doyle’s Guide leading family lawyer. Fiona has practised exclusively in the Family Law Jurisdiction since 1999, running her own firm since 2006.
Fiona is nationally accredited as a mediator through the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM) and is an AMDRAS Nationally Accredited Mediator.
Professional Qualifications
Experience and Personal Overview
Ruth commenced her legal career as a criminal barrister in Ireland, practicing primarily in Dublin. On a quest for sunshine, Ruth immigrated to Australia with the intention of holidaying for 12 months. After six months, she had enrolled at Sydney University and was on the path to admission as a practitioner in New South Wales.
Ruth gained an interest in family law in a boutique family law practice where she worked while acquiring her Australian qualifications. She joined RFL in 2017 as an Associate, where she quickly established her reputation as an astute lawyer and fierce advocate for her clients. Ruth was appointed as a Director in 2023.
Ruth is committed to helping families embroiled in family law disputes resolve their issues as amicably and swiftly as possible with the clear knowledge that the families whose lives we touch must co-exist long after our role has concluded. Although Ruth puts a strong focus on dispute resolution, and resolving matters without the need for litigation, one of Ruth’s strengths is advocacy and she is passionate about representing her clients’ best interests should they find themselves involved in family law litigation.
Ruth has practiced exclusively in family law since her admission in Australia in 2016 and undertakes all sorts of matters including but not limited to property, spouse maintenance, child support, international child abduction and complex parenting cases. Ruth is committed to providing the best service to her clients and catering for their individual needs.
Alex holds a BA (Hons) / LLB from ANU. She has been practising as a solicitor since 1991, always in family law. Alex has been an accredited specialist in family law since 1996. Specialist Accreditation is a structured peer to peer assessment process enabling legal practitioners to be recognised for their expertise. To be accredited, specialists must pass a series of meticulous assessments on both legal knowledge and its application in practice. To retain their accreditation, specialists must undertake significant additional professional development in their area of expertise each year.
Alex is an experienced Solicitor Advocate, having appeared in numerous complex interim, interlocutory and final hearings in the Family Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit Court and in the NSW Supreme, District and Children’s Courts. Alex has also acted in all aspects of Full Court family law appeals, from their inception to final argument, for appellants, respondents and on behalf of children.
Alex has practised as an Independent Children’s Lawyer since 1994. Since 2003, she has assisted with programme development and training for the national ICL training scheme.
Alex is regularly invited to speak at National and International conferences about family law and her role, especially, as a children’s advocate.
Professional Qualifications
Experience and Personal Overview
Zachary is Executive Counsel at Reid Family Lawyers. He first joined the firm in 2018 having previously worked in both large national multi-disciplinary firms and in boutique family law firms. After a significant period of travel, he has returned to Reid Family Lawyers as of June 2026.
Zachary has worked exclusively in the area of Family Law since completing his tertiary education in 2012.
In 2015, Zachary completed his collaborative law training with Relationships Australia. He has developed a reputation as a logical, goal-focused practitioner with a strong grounding in collaborative practice, negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Alternate dispute resolution is always considered when working with Zachary in order to assist clients in resolving their disputes without resorting to litigation.
Zachary has a keen interest in children’s matters especially matters involving allegations of family violence. He also has experience in financial matters with complex financial structures and family trusts. He regularly appears in the Federal Circuit Court, Family Court of Australia and has appeared in a range of matters in the Local, District and Supreme Courts of NSW.
Zachary is based in our Surry Hills office.
Professional Qualifications
Experience and Personal Overview
Paniz is a Senior Associate at Reid Family Lawyers, bringing extensive experience in family law, having exclusively worked in family law since 2015.
Before joining Reid Family Lawyers in July 2024, Paniz worked at specialist family law firms, honing her skills in financial settlements and dispute resolution. Her passion for delivering strategic and commercially sound solutions is complemented by her deep understanding of court processes, gained through her time as a Judicial Associate in Divisions 1 and 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and later as a Deputy Registrar. In these roles, she conducted conciliation conferences, managed National Divorce Lists, and oversaw a wide range of procedural matters, giving her invaluable insight into judicial decision-making.
Paniz advises on all aspects of family law, with a particular focus on property and financial settlements, financial agreements, parenting disputes (including international matters and family violence), child support, spousal maintenance, and enforcement proceedings. As a Nationally Accredited Mediator, she is skilled in both conducting mediations and representing clients during mediations. Her expertise in complex financial and parenting matters, paired with her mediation skills, enables her to resolve disputes efficiently.
Paniz completed her Juris Doctor (with Distinction) from the University of New South Wales and is admitted to practice in the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Paniz is a Nationally Accredited Mediator and is currently completing her studies to become an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Paniz is currently on maternity leave.
Ashlyn is Ruth and Lilica’s secretary. She has direct access to their incoming correspondence and calendar/court dates and is across their ongoing matters.
Having spent several years in reception and admin roles in her native New Zealand, Ashlyn is committed to supporting Ruth and Lilica’s clients to ensure the smooth administration of their files.
Ashlyn is based in the Brookvale office. She has been with Reid Family Lawyers since June 2024 and lives on the Northern Beaches. Beyond office life, Ashlyn is a dedicated sportswomen and represented Wellington for the Farah Palmer Cup.
Ariella has completed a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) at the University of Sydney and is currently studying a Master of Social Justice (Human Rights) at the University of Sydney
Ariella commenced employment with Reid Family Lawyers in May 2025. Ariella assists the Brookvale office team with various admin support. She has experience with collating financial disclosure, preparing briefs, filing Court documents and liaison with clients, other solicitors and counsel.
Ariella lives on the Northern Beaches.
Isabelle is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Technology Sydney.
Isabelle commenced employment with Reid Family Lawyers in July 2024. Isabelle assists the Surry Hills office team with various admin support. She has experience with instructing lawyers at Court, preparing briefs, filing Court documents and liaison with clients, other solicitors and counsel.
Isabelle has a particular interest in child protection, parenting matters and criminal law, and seeks to continue to practice in Family Law once admitted.
Professional Qualifications
Experience and Personal Overview
Moana has been with Reid Family Lawyers since April 2025, starting out in reception in our Brookvale office before her admission as a Solicitor in NSW in July 2026.
Moana’s background is in Criminal Law, and she was admitted as a Criminal Barrister in her home country, New Zealand. Since her move to Australia, Moana has found a passion for Family Law at Reid Family Lawyers and looks forward to continuing to help clients with the same wonderful warmth and compassion.
Moana is based in the Surry Hills office.
Professional Qualifications
Experience and Personal Overview
Lilica has been with Reid Family Lawyers since September 2021, starting out as a paralegal in our Surry Hills office before her admission as a Solicitor in May 2022.
Lilica’s background is in Immigration and Administrative Law, where she developed a passion for humanitarian and social justice matters. Lilica practices in all areas of family law and completes property settlements using the PEXA platform.
Lilica is Japanese and Chinese and has lived in both countries for short periods of her youth. She can speak conversational Japanese and Cantonese. Lilica’s life experiences have provided her with strong cross-cultural awareness skills and empathy, all of which she applies to her practice of family law.
Lilica is compassionate and strives to provide the best outcomes for clients. She looks forward to helping you with your matter in a supportive and timely manner. Lilica is based in our Brookvale office.
Experience and Personal Overview
Teigan is Fiona’s secretary and is responsible for managing the administration of Fiona’s files. She has direct access to Fiona’s incoming correspondence and calendar/court dates and is across Fiona’s ongoing matters.
Teigan is also the head of the administration team and responsible for the overall smooth running of the practice.
Teigan can help with any general queries or comments you may have about our practice so please do not hesitate to call her if you have any questions, she will be happy to assist.
Teigan has been with Reid Family Lawyers since 2019. Teigan lives on the Northern Beaches.
Casey is the legal secretary to Ruth Hennigan, Adam Vella and Lilica Hasegawa. She is the first point of contact for clients with queries when they are out of the office. Casey has direct access to Ruth, Adam’s and Lilica’s incoming correspondence, calendars and Court dates. She is based at the Brookvale office.
Casey commenced employment with Reid Family Lawyers in July 2020 and lives on the Northern Beaches.
Síofra is Ruth’s secretary and is responsible for managing the administration of her files. She has direct access to Ruth’s incoming correspondence and calendar/court dates and is across Ruth’s ongoing matters.
Having comprehensive administration experience in her native Ireland, Síofra is well equipped to assist you with anything you may need.
Síofra is based in the Brookvale office. She has been with Reid Family Lawyers since June 2023 and lives in the Eastern Suburbs.
Suite 249, Lifestyle Working Building,
117 Old Pittwater Road,
Brookvale NSW 2100
Cammeraygal Land
Level 2/26-28 Wentworth Avenue,
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Gadigal Land
