Sally Nicholes BA. LLB.

Accredited in Collaborative Law (LIV)

Partner

sally@nicholeslaw.com.au

Sally has practiced exclusively in family law for over twelve years, and during that time has developed a strong practice with substantive experience in all aspects of family law, acting for a range of coroporate, institutional, and private clients.

Sally is amongst the first group of practitioners in Victoria to undertake Collaborative Law training. Collaborative Law is a team approach to Family Law cases which avoids the litigation process. Sally is a member of the "International Academy of the Collaborative Professionals."

She has expertise in international and domestic property and maintenance settlements and litigation, including dealing with complex corporate structures, defacto and same sex agreements, prenuptial and cohabitation agreements, financial structuring and restructuring combining succession planning/estate planning with corporate restructure and binding financial agreements.

Other areas of her expertise include international and domestic child-related matters including child abduction, inter-country adoption and international relocation, parenting disputes, child support, and complex child welfare issues including special medical procedures, gender reassignment and same-sex and multi-party parenting disputes.

Sally's dedication to family law has been rewarded with a Certificate of Appreciation by the United States National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and the Australian Federal Police for her work on an operation that resulted in the successful location of an abducted child. She has written numerous articles and presented to special interest groups both in Australia and internationally, on topics as varied as international child abduction and special medical procedure.

Sally is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV), the LIV Children and Youth Issues Committee, the LIV International Steering Committee, and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. She is also a Board member of the World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights, Deputy Chair of the Board of the Lasallian Foundation and a partner and mentor of the Oaktree Foundation.

Nadine Udorovic BA. LLB.

Associate

nadine@nicholeslaw.com.au

Nadine studied Arts for three years at Monash University in Melbourne, majoring in American history and sociology. She followed this with three-years of full-time Law studies by correspondence at the University of New England (Armadale, NSW), ‘commuting’ twice-yearly for classes, and graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 2004.

Her thesis gave some indication of the path she would follow, focusing on same-sex couples, their relationships, and the effects of such relationships on children raised by same-sex couples. Her entry into the workforce commenced spending one year as an Articled Clerk and then an additional year as a Solicitor prior to joining NFL focusing on property settlements and de facto relationships. Since joining NFL at the start of 2006 she has specialized in children’s cases.

On weekends Nadine enjoys relaxing by spending time with her Hungarian Vizlas — “Mickey” now aged 15 weeks and the family Staffordshire Pitbull “Rocky” now aged 4 years. Nadine is also involved helping with a project which her partner is completing, a feature film to be shot early February 2007 in New Zealand and spends time arranging costumes and props for the movie which is based on Native Americans.

Nadine is a real family orientated person. She has a brother Josh, aged 25 years who is a stockbroker, spends a large amount of time with her Dad and her three younger cousins and Aunt & Uncle.

Michael Wells BA. (Hons) LLB.

Associate

mike@nicholeslaw.com.au

Michael's professional background reflects his long-held interest in, and passion for, areas of justice and human rights.Michael has practised almost exclusively in the family law and related jurisdictions since being admitted. In so doing, he has worked in private practice in Geelong and Melbourne, and also as a duty lawyer at the Family Court, Dandenong Registry.

He has expertise in all aspects of family law disputes regarding the parenting of, and rights in relation to, children and related issues such as: interstate relocation, allegations of emotional and/or physical abuse, parental alienation and others. He also has significant experience in assisting clients in relation to complex matrimonial and defacto property and financial matters, including but not limited to: family trusts, taxation issues, superannuation splitting and pre-nuptial agreements.

Michael also worked for several years in the Disability sector, with a particular focus on quality of life and integration of people with physical and psychological disabilities within the community. Interestingly, as the basis for his Honours thesis in Sociology, Michael conducted qualitative field research at the then HM Pentridge Prison concentrating on the impact of the prison environment on inmates and prison officers. Prior to, and since, commencing as a family lawyer Michael has also enjoyed working as a volunteer for a wide variety of community-based organisations.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys mountain bike riding, current affairs, football (most codes) and confesses to a love of 70s and 80s music. He also requested that we mention his love of animals and most notably, his pet rottweiler, Ruby!

Marguerite Picard

Associate

marguerite@nicholeslaw.com.au

Marguerite has been in practice since 1982 and has practised in the Eastern and Northern suburbs of Melbourne, firstly in Family Law and general practice, including extensive volunteer work in the community legal sector. Marguerite has worked exclusively in Family Law since 1996.

Marguerite joined NFL in May 2008, after working as a locum for 12 months. Marguerite is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law, a qualified Mediator, an Arbitrator and has Advanced Training in Collaborative Law.

Her experience has been across all areas of Family Law including property and Children's cases, Supreme Court property matters, same sex and domestic relationships cases, including preparation of prenuptial and cohabitation Agreements.

Marguerite is an experienced trial lawyer with a strong commitment to alternate dispute resolution.

Marguerite lived and was educated in country Victoria, before arriving in Melbourne as a law student before marrying and having her four sons! Marguerite has enjoyed being actively involved in parent's and fundraising committees over the years and also enjoys the years as a spectator of children's sports from rowing and swimming to Lacrosse, cricket, football and basketball.

Marguerite's personal interests include reading history and literature, the pursuit of the French language, physical fitness, travel and art and particularly painting!

Lucy Daniels

Paralegal

Lucy Daniels is a recent arrival to the team at Nicholes Family Lawyers. After undertaking a winter clerkship at Nicholes Family Lawyers, Lucy has jumped at the offer to take on the part-time role of paralegal. Lucy is currently studying her fourth year of a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media and Communications degree with the University of Melbourne. Lucy loves the opportunity to balance book-learning with practical experience.

Lucy’s interest in law is rooted in her passion for social justice, which she also pursues by volunteering one day per week at a community legal centre and with various other organisations at university. As busy as this keeps Lucy, she makes sure she finds time for hobbies of reading and the arts, her friends and family, including her ever increasing number of nephews and nieces!

Samantha Blake

As NFL’s Administration Manager, you might describe Samantha as the linch-pin of the organization. Certainly, she brings a wealth of experience to her role — a role that she sees as ongoing indefinitely, as she loves it so much!

Samantha has worked with a number of Victorian law firms over the past eight years, specializing in family law, together with extensive experience in the areas of conveyancing, mortgages, wills and probate. She was drawn to work in Family Law by the close involvement with clients, especially in areas such as children’s and family rights — hardly surprising for such a family-oriented person who values the importance of family and relationships.

In between indulging her favourite pastimes and establishing a new home with her husband, Samantha harbours an ambition to study Law — if she can just find the time!

Eve Stella

Receptionist/JUNIOR ADMINISTRATION

Eve is delighted to be a member of the NFL team, having seized the opportunity not only to advance her career, but to make the move from Hepburn Springs to the Big Smoke! As she says, growing up in the country is great, but when your interests include music, comedy,shopping & having a close association with family & friends  the city is the place to be.

Educated to VCE level in Ballarat, Eve has held a number of jobs, including the past few years at Middleton’s Lawyers.

Eve also has a commitment to Muay Thai & running.

Barb Southam

NFL’s book-keeper, Barb is very much a Gippsland girl, having been born and raised in the high country at Omeo, and educated at Sale before completing her secondary education in Melbourne.

Her professional background includes employment with the Australian Taxation Office as an Assessor, local accountancy work mainly in the hospitality industry then finally establishing her own bookkeeping business. Barb also brings a wide knowledge of office management procedures to Nicholes Family Lawyers.

Barb has a Diploma of Accounting and is currently studying for her Advanced Diploma of Accounting.

While her work keeps her busy enough in Melbourne, she still finds time to get back to East Gippsland for a spot of fishing and boating.  Ballet and music are other passions she loves to find time for.

Shona Berndt

Shona left the sunny climes of Queensland to follow a career in law — after first taking four years to see the world!

Shona brings to NFL some 13 years’ experience as a PA and paralegal, working in HR and corporate legal fields. Prior to this she worked in Brisbane, specializing in intellectual property & technology, and in contracts administration, in addition to working in Queensland at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

In addition to her work at NFL, Shona is currently studying a double degree for her Bachelor of Biochemistry/Biotechnology & Bachelor of Business.

Sandra Casey

Sandra originally hails from Scotland. She resided in London for 17 years where she gained invaluable experience as a Personal Assistant working for one of London's more prolific firms for a period of over 12 years.  Sandra has experience in many areas of law including Commercial Litigation, Criminal and Family Law.

Sandra moved to Australia in 2002 with her Irish husband and has worked in Family Law since that time.

In her spare time Sandra enjoys supporting her local soccer team, socialising with friends and hosting barbecue dinners. Sandra also enjoys attending annual Celtic festivals, immersing herself in Scottish and Irish music in keeping with her roots!