The below 2025 rankings of Leading Sydney Family Lawyers ranks the top family law solicitors in Sydney specializing in divorce, matrimonial disputes, child custody/parenting, and complex family law matters. These leading Sydney divorce lawyers and family law practitioners have been peer-recognised for their exceptional expertise and client outcomes across the Greater Sydney metropolitan area.
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan Winning
Preeminent
Sue Abrams, ATW Family Law
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson
Leading
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Josie Blight, Rubin Blight Hardy
Alicia Elliott, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Eleanor Lau, Lander & Rogers
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan Winning
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan Winning
Irene Morozov, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melanie Rubin, Rubin Blight Hardy
Annelise Pedersen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan Winning
Recommended
Elizabeth Bedford, Pearson Emerson
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Katie Burreket, 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
Gabrielle Gathercole, ATW Family Law
Karen Hardy, Rubin Blight Hardy
Jack Hensley, Pigdon Norgate
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Kate Kensell, Uther Webster & Evans
Heidi Menkes, Pearson Emerson
Genevieve Morgan, Barry Nilsson
Tash Nolan, Nolan Family Law
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Margie O’Neill, De Saxe O’Neill
Skye Owen, Lander & Rogers
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Philip Ridgway, Pearson Emerson
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Aileen Slattery, ATW Family Law
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
The 2026 rankings of leading Family & Divorce Lawyers in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area, identified by fellow NSW Family Lawyers. Compiled via our independent, peer-review methodology — rankings cannot be purchased.
Previous editions
2025 edition published November 2024
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan Winning
Preeminent
Sue Abrams, ATW Family Law
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson
Leading
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Josie Blight, Rubin Blight Hardy
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Eleanor Lau, Lander & Rogers
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan Winning
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan Winning
Genevieve Morgan, Barry Nilsson
Tash Nolan, Nolan Lawyers
Irene Morozov, York Law Family Law Specialists
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Annelise Pedersen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan Winning
Recommended
Elizabeth Bedford, Pearson Emerson
Katie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Jacqueline Dawson, Sexton Family Law
Laura Donnelly, Holmes Donnelly & Co
Michelle Down, ATW Family Law
Alicia Elliott, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Gabrielle Gathercole, ATW Family Law
Karen Hardy, Rubin Blight Hardy
Candice Lau, Lander & Rogers
Heidi Menkes, Pearson Emerson
Carolyn Munk, Matthews Folbigg
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Margie O'Neill, De Saxe O'Neill
Greg Parker, Swaab
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Melanie Rubin, Rubin Blight Hardy
Antonella Sanderson, Family Law Matters
Maya Sen, Barry Nilsson
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Aileen Slattery, ATW Family Law
Glenn Thompson, Newnhams
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2024 edition published December 2023
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan Winning
Preeminent
Sue Abrams, ATW Family Law
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson
Leading
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Josie Blight, Rubin Blight Hardy
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Eleanor Lau, Lander & Rogers
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan Winning
Irene Morozov, York Law Family Law Specialists
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Annelise Pedersen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan Winning
Recommended
Elizabeth Bedford, Pearson Emerson
Jacqueline Dawson, Sexton Family Law
Laura Donnelly, Holmes Donnelly & Co
Alicia Elliott, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Gabrielle Gathercole, ATW Family Law
Karen Hardy, Rubin Blight Hardy
Candice Lau, lander & Rogers
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan Winning
Genevieve Morgan, Barry Nilsson
Carolyn Munk, Matthews Folbigg
Tash Nolan, Nolan Lawyers
Margie O'Neill, De Saxe O'Neill
Greg Parker, Swaab
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Melanie Rubin, Rubin Blight Hardy
Antonella Sanderson, Family Law Matters
Maya Sen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Aileen Slattery, ATW Family Law
Glenn Thompson, Newnhams
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2023 edition published December 2022
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan Winning
Preeminent
Sue Abrams, ATW Family Law
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson
Leading
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Josie Blight, Pearson Emerson
Cynthia Bluett, Pearson Emerson
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Eleanor Lau, Lander & Rogers
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan Winning
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan Winning
Annelise Pedersen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Melanie Rubin, Barry.Nilsson.
Maya Sen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Glenn Thompson, Newnhams
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan Winning
Recommended
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Zippy Chan, Gordon & Barry
Jacqueline Dawson, Sexton Family Law
Alicia Elliott, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Gai Gathercole, ATW Family Law
Malcolm Gittoes-Ceasar, Lander & Rogers
Karen Hardy, Pearson Emerson
Gayle Meredith, Gayle Meredith & Associates
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan Winning
Carly Mirza-Price, Mills Oakley
Carolyn Munk, Matthews Folbigg
Nigel Nicholls, Blanchfield Nicholls
Tash Nolan, Nolan Lawyers
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Margie O'Neill, De Saxe o'Neill
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Antonella Sanderson, Family Law Matters
Rachel Slat, Slat Family Law
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Aileen Slattery, ATW Family Law
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2022 edition published November 2021
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan
Preeminent
Sue Abrams, ATW Family Law
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson
Leading
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Josie Blight, Pearson Emerson
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Eleanor Lau, Lander & Rogers
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan
Carolyn Munk, Matthews Folbigg
Annelise Pedersen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan
Recommended
Cynthia Bluett, Pearson Emerson
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Jacqueline Dawson, Sexton Family Law
Gai Gathercole, ATW Family Law
Malcolm Gittoes-Ceasar, Coleman Greig Lawyers
Karen Hardy, Pearson Emerson
Margaret Linden, Linden Legal
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan
Carly Mirza-Price, Mills Oakley
Nigel Nicholls, Blanchfield Nicholls
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Greg Parker, Swaab
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Melanie Rubin, Barry.Nilsson.
Maya Sen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Rachel Slat, Slat Family Law
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Aileen Slattery, ATW Family Law
Glenn Thompson, Newnhams
Bruce Tilley, Tilley Family Law
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2021 edition published December 2020
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan
Preeminent
Sue Abrams, Abrams Turner Whelan
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson
Leading
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan
Recommended
Josie Blight, Pearson Emerson
Cynthia Bluett, Pearson Emerson
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Justin Dowd, Watts McCray
Gai Gathercole, Abrams Turner Whelan
Malcolm Gittoes-Ceasar, Coleman Greig Lawyers
Eleanor Lau, Lander & Rogers
Margaret Linden, Linden Legal
Gayle Meredith, Gayle Meredith & Associates
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan
Carolyn Munk, Matthews Folbigg
Nigel Nicholls, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Greg Parker, Swaab
Annelise Pedersen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Melanie Rubin, Barry.Nilsson.
Maya Sen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Rachel Slat, Slat Family Law
Aileen Slattery, Abrams Turner Whelan
Glenn Thompson, Newnhams
Bruce Tilley, Tilley Family Law
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2020 edition published November 2019
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan
Preeminent
Sue Abrams, Abrams Turner Whelan
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Leading
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Gai Gathercole, Abrams Turner Whelan
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Gayle Meredith, Gayle Meredith & Associates
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan
Nigel Nicholls, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Glenn Thompson, Newnhams
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan
Recommended
Fadiya Ali, Watts McCray
Josie Blight, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Hamish Cumming, Hamish Cumming Family Lawyers
Jaqueline Dawson, Sexton Family Law
Janine De Saxe, De Saxe La Cava O'Neill
Justin Dowd, Watts McCray
Michelle Down, Abrams Turner Whelan
Pierre Hawach, McAuley Hawach lawyers
Graeme Hearl, Delaney Lawyers
Duncan Holmes, Holmes Donnelly & Co
Eleanor Lau, Lander & Rogers
Margaret Linden, Linden Legal
Carolyn Munk, Matthews Folbigg
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Annelise Pedersen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Melanie Rubin, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Maya Sen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Natasha Scarf, Scarf Family Law
Rachel Slat, Slat Family Law
Bruce Tilley, Tilley Family Law
Jackie Vincent, Watts McCray
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2019 edition published November 2018
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan
Preeminent
Sue Abrams, Abrams Turner Whelan
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Leading
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Duncan Holmes, KD Holmes
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan
Nigel Nicholls, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Glenn Thompson, Newnhams
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan
Recommended
Josie Blight, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Laura Donnelly, KD Holmes
Justin Dowd, Watts McCray
Gai Gathercole, Abrams Turner Whelan
Merridy Gordon, Gordon & Barry
Eleanor Lau, Lander & Rogers
Margaret Linden, Linden Legal
Gayle Meredith, Gayle Meredith & Associates
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan
Carolyn Munk, Matthews Folbigg
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Greg Parker, Swaab
Annelise Pedersen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Melanie Rubin, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Maya Sen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Rachel Slat, Slat Family Law
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Jackie Vincent, Watts McCray
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Annette Wilson, Swaab
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2018 edition published December 2017
Preeminent
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Leading
Sue Abrams, Abrams Turner Whelan
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Max Meyer, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan
Nigel Nicholls, Blanchfield Nicholls Partners
Glenn Thompson, Newnhams
Nabil Wahhab, York Law Family Law Specialists
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan
Recommended
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Josie Blight, Pearson Emerson Meyer
John Chapple, Newnhams
Graeme Delaney, Delaney Lawyers
Laura Donnelly, KD Holmes
Justin Dowd, Watts McCray
Frances Edwards, Edwards Family Lawyers
Gai Gathercole, Abrams Turner Whelan
Merridy Gordon, Gordon & Barry
Duncan Holmes, KD Holmes
Margaret Linden, Linden Legal
Gayle Meredith, Gayle Meredith & Associates
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan
Carolyn Munk, Matthews Folbigg
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Greg Parker, Swaab Attorneys
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Maya Sen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Jackie Vincent, Watts McCray
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2017 edition published December 2016
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan
Preeminent
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson Myer
Leading
Sue Abrams, Abrams Turner Whelan
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Gayle Meredith, Gayle Meredith & Associates
Max Meyer, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan
Nigel Nicholls, Blanchfield Nicholls
Glen Thompson, Newnhams
Nabil Wahhab, York Law
Recommended
John Chapple, Newnhams
Hamish Cumming, Hamish Cumming Family Law
Frances Edwards, Edwards Family Law
Gai Gathercole, Abrams Turner Whelan
Merridy Gordon, Gordon & Barry
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan
Jayson McCauley, Barkus Doolan
Carly Middleton, Barkus Doolan
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Greg Parker, Swaab Attorneys
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Jane Saltoon, Abrams Turner Whelan
Maya Sen, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Rachel Slat, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Bruce Tilley, Tilley Family Law & Mediation
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan
Michelle Worner, Karras Partners
2016 edition published December 2015
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan
Preeminent
John Barkus, Barkus Doolan
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Leading
Sue Abrams, Abrams Turner Whelan
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Duncan Holmes, KD Holmes
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan
Nabil Wahhab, York Law
Recommended
Patricia Abrahams, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Hamish Cumming, Hamish Cumming Family Lawyers
Marilyn Hauptmann, Swaab Attorneys
Gai Gathercole, Abrams Turner Whelan
Merridy Gordon, Gordon & Barry
Jeff Marhinin, Barkus Doolan
Collette McFawn, Lander & Rogers
Gayle Meredith, Gayle Meredith & Associates
Max Meyer, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Dennis Paltos, Paltos Milevski
Maya Sen, Pearson Emerson Meyer
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Susana Staka, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Fiona Reid, Reid Family Lawyers
Glen Thompson, Newnhams
Melinda Winning, Barkus Doolan
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Michele Worner, Karras Partners
2015 edition published February 2015
Market Leader
Paul Doolan, Barkus Doolan
Preeminent
John Barkus, Barkus Doolan
Jamie Burreket, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Susan Pearson, Pearson Emerson Meyer Family Lawyers
Glen Thompson, Newnhams Solicitors
Leading
Sue Abrams, Abrams Turner Whelan
David Barry, Gordon & Barry
Justin Dowd, Watts McCray
Sheridan Emerson, Pearson Emerson Meyer Family Lawyers
Barry Frakes, Watts McCray
Duncan Holmes, KD Holmes
Bill Karras, Karras Partners
Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Recommended
Patricia Abrahams, Broun Abrahams Burreket
Cathie Blanchfield, Blanchfield Nicholls
Wendy Broun, Broun Abrahams Burreket
John Chapple, Newnhams Solicitors
Hamish Cumming, Hamish Cumming Family Lawyers
Frances Edwards, Edwards Family Lawyers
Marilyn Hauptmann, Swaab Attorneys
Merridy Gordon, Gordon & Barry
Jason Katsikaris, KD Holmes
Peter Magee, Armstrong Legal
Gayle Meredith, Gayle Meredith & Associates
Max Meyer, Pearson Emerson Meyer Family Lawyers
Irene Morozov, Barkus Doolan
Carolyn Munk, Matthws Folbigg
Nigel Nicholls, Blanchfield Nicholls
Greg Parker, Swaab Attorneys
Suzanne Pigdon, Pigdon Norgate
Rosemary Norgate, Pigdon Norgate
Jane Saltoon, Abrams Turner Wheelan
Maya Sen, Pearson Emerson Meyer Family Lawyers
Mark Sullivan, Mullane & Lindsay
Michael Tiyce, Tiyce & Partners
Lisa Wagner, Doolan Wagner Family Law
Michele Worner, Karras Partners