“Anger and revenge are motivations
that eat away at one’s inner core, and taint any future happiness
on the horizon.”
Family Law is such a complex and emotional mine field; it can mark one’s
life, and that of one’s children for decades to come. A knee jerk
response to certain situations is not necessarily the most rational, or
the best long term plan when dealing with a family or a relationship —
even a relationship that has devolved into something alien and bitter. Dignity
and commonality are strong foundations which will hold a person in good
stead when putting down the foundations of a new life after divorce or separation
For over a decade, I have watched Sally Nicholes develop as a skilled
and dedicated lawyer, one who has a high capacity for empathy and understanding,
whilst still retaining a razor sharp ability to ‘cut to the chase’
and identify the small, but important details to ensure the best outcome
for her clients. Over many years, and with the utmost confidence, I have
had no hesitation referring clients and friends to Sally — knowing
with surety that she would safely navigate them through the myriad of issues
they would be facing and achieve the best possible result for themselves
and their family.
Sally’s tenacity and dogged persistence, coupled with her particular
interest and expertise in a field of international law dealing with Parental
Child Abduction – The Hague Convention, has often meant the difference
between a child being located overseas and reunited expeditiously with his
or her ‘left behind’ parent, or years of angst and lonely misery
for the victims of this devastating family crime. With the impeccable international
connections Sally has forged within the legal fraternity, judiciary and
non-government organizations dealing with this highly specialized field
of international law and multilateral treaties, Sally Nicholes affords her
clients with a wealth of time and money saving knowledge.
I have both the honour and privilege of calling Sally a close personal
friend along with naming her as my legal representative. In my mind, retaining
such level headed, morally trustworthy and intellectually capable practitioners
such as Nicholes Family Lawyers is the only solution to navigating the maze
of issues which such a difficult time presents.
Jacqueline Pascarl (formerly Gillespie)
February, 2006.
Jacqueline Pascarl was Special Ambassador for CARE International working
in the war zones of East Timor, Kosovo and Bosnia. She is recognized internationally
as an expert on the Hague Convention and International Parental Child Abduction,
and has lectured at the US State Department and the Australian Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as the European Union and the Hong
Kong Family Law Association. A best-selling author and award-winning documentary
film maker, Ms Pascarl won a special commendation for her work during the
United Nations International Year of the Child. A recipient of the Overseas
Humanitarian Award, and two recognition awards from the National Centre
for Missing and Exploited Children, USA, Jacqueline has been a high profile
international lobbyist on human rights and refugee issues and established
a child literacy project, Operation Book Power on the African Continent.
She is married and has four children. Ms Pascarl now resides in Melbourne,
where she is concentrating on her writing.
“We need her for our Board!”
That was my determination after spending time with Sally in 2005 in South
Africa, delivering workshops to youth in Kwa-Zulu Natal (the most AIDS affected
area of Africa) and later at the World Congress on Childrens Rights in Cape
Town.
Sally is a person of great empathy for the child victims of abuse and exploitation.
She hurts for them and is a powerful advocate of great persuasion. I witnessed
her wonderful rapport with children, her effortless way of communicating
with them, and her ability to instill a sense of safety.
I witnessed, too, the high credibility she enjoys with her peers and other
professionals. To have Sally on the Lasallian Foundation is a coup for the
children of the Asian countries in which we serve.
I am told Sally, the Family Lawyer, exhibits the very same qualities and
competencies in her practice that I have observed in her. Why am I not surprised?
Brother Paul Smith AM fsc
January 31st 2006
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