Testimonials

Jacqueline Pascarl | Brother Paul Smith AM fsc

Jacqueline Pascarl

“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.

Brother Paul Smith

“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