Our people > Support staff

Elizabeth Donnelly

Practice Director

Liz is our Practice Director and as such she overseas the running of the firm.  She also manages the finance team and is responsible for all the financial systems and reporting, both internal and external.

Liz began her career in chartered accounting and after 10 years as an auditor she moved to industry where she held senior finance positions in major funds management organisations and legal firms.  Liz has recently returned to Melbourne having spent 3 years living in Los Angeles, where she was the Financial Controller for the Los Angeles Opera.

Liz is a chartered accountant and member of the Instute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Sharyn Rowe

Personal Assistant / Reception

Sharyn has many years of experience in Family Law as well as some Commercial Law experience. 

Sharyn has been working at Nicholes Family Lawyers since the firm began in 2006.  Sharyn also worked with Sally prior to Nicholes Family Lawyers.  Sharyn works on a part time basis since having her daughter and is most grateful for that opportunity at Nicholes Family Lawyers.

Kelly Black

Office Manager and Personal Assistant

Kelly joined NFL in May 2009 after enjoying 18 months maternity leave.  Kelly has over 14 years experience in various areas of Law including Family Law and Commercial Litigation.

Prior to joining NFL Kelly’s range of experience has included paralegal and senior personal assistance roles.

In her spare time, apart from chasing 3 beautiful children around, she enjoys entertaining, renovating her house with her husband, following her beloved Magpies and reading.

Chrystle Simpson

Personal Assistant

Chrystle's interest and passion with working in family law grew whilst completing her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Leo Cussen Institute. Chrystle joined the team at Nicholes Family Lawyers in April 2011, and has had a year's experience in working in various family law practices. Since starting at NFL, she is most grateful to be provided with the opportunity and is ambitious to work hard, with a focus to start as a lawyer in the near future.

During leisure time, Chrystle enjoys good coffee, window shopping and cooking. She is also positively wishing to travel more, explore different cuisines, cultures and the beauty that the world has to offer.

Leila Taefi

Personal Assistant

Leila joined Nicholes Family Lawyers as a Personal Assistant in July 2011 after having spent the prior three and a half years working as a solicitor in family law.  Leila is studying part-time at Monash University for a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary).

In her spare time Leila volunteers one night per fortnight at the Bentleigh branch of the Peninsula Community Legal Centre.  She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and swimming at the beach.

Calvin Wu

Accounts Clerk

Calvin joined the team at Nicholes Family Lawyers around six months ago. He previously worked as an account clerk/assistant in a boutique law firm before joining NFL.

Calvin moved from Taiwan to Melbourne in the middle of 2006 to study.  He successfully completed his Master of Business Information Technology and Master of Commerce at the end of 2009 at RMIT. He enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies, playing video games, and playing with his dog, Misa.