The 2026 listing of leading New South Wales Parenting & Children’s Matters Lawyers details individuals who have been specifically highlighted for their expertise, abilities and experience in complex parenting/child custody issues and disputes. These rankings also include individuals with experience acting as an Independent Children’s Lawyer in relation to matters that may include, but are not limited to, family violence, physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children. Individuals included in our broader Family Law rankings may also possess significant skill with respect to parenting matters however have not been identified for such.
Preeminent
Elizabeth Bedford, Pearson Emerson
Alicia Elliott, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Karen Hardy, Rubin Blight Hardy
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan Winning
Melanie Rubin, Rubin Blight Hardy
Leading
Sue Abrams, ATW Family Law
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Gabrielle Gathercole, ATW Family Law
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Tash Nolan, Nolan Lawyers
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Margie O’Neill, De Saxe O’Neill
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan Winning
Recommended
Fadiya Ali, Ali Family Lawyers
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Josie Blight, Rubin Blight Hardy
Belinda Burgess, Burgess Hughes Family Law
Katie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burrket
Christine Clarke, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Jacqueline Dawson, Sexton Family Law
Laura Donnelly, Holmes Donnelly & Co
Michelle Down, ATW Family Law
Joanna Elliott, Walter & Elliott Family Lawyers
Nicole Evans, Barker Evans
Rebecca Gilbert, Pearson Emerson
Eloise Horrobin, York Law
Madeleine Joel, Gordon & Barry
Carly Mirza-Price, Mills Oakley
Genevieve Morgan, Barry Nilsson
Irene Morozov, York Law
Julie Nessworthy, Farrar Gesini Dunn
Kate O’Grady, Orbell Family Lawyers
Skye Owen, Lander & Rogers
Tijana Petkovic, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Aileen Slattery, ATW Family Law
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Michael Tiyce, Tiyce & Lawyers
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley