I started practising law in 1996, and have practised exclusively in family law and family violence law since 2001. I also undertake work as an Independent Children’s Lawyer. I was the Principal Lawyer at Women’s Legal Service Victoria for 8 years. I started my own legal practice in 2008 continuing to work exclusively in these areas of law, working with both private and legally aided clients. Throughout my career, I have been involved in law reform in this area. I was involved in drafting the Family Violence Protection Act (the law that relates to intervention orders). During my time at Women’s Legal Service Victoria, I was involved in setting up a dedicated family law practice offered by that organisation and also the creation of the Family Law Legal Service, which is the duty lawyer service operating at the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court. I was also heavily involved in the development and implementation of the specialist family violence courts operating out of the Magistrates’ Court in Victoria as well as the implementation of the duty lawyer services offered at those Courts. I continue to do intervention order duty lawyering at various Courts in Victoria. I represent people in court and mediations having appeared in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Magistrates’ Court.

Danielle has been passionate about family law since she started working in the legal sector. Admitted as a solicitor in 2009, Danielle has worked as a Judge’s Associate at the Melbourne Registry of the Family Court and as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (family mediator) at Family Relationship Centres around Melbourne. Danielle joined the team at VM Family Lawyers in May 2022 after working for several years at Victoria Legal Aid where she was Case Management Leader at the Family Dispute Resolution Service (FDRS). Danielle’s experience working with clients across Melbourne and Victoria gives her a deep understanding of the impact of the family law system. Danielle has extensive experience working with victim/survivors of family violence and will take an empathetic approach to your situation. Danielle has worked as part of an ARC Research Project team through the University of Melbourne, conducting research into family law property matters, and has also acted as a family mediator in property matters at Relationships Australia, Victoria. Danielle has a Graduate Diploma in Education Studies and an interest in child development. Danielle takes a child-centered approach to her work and will do everything she can to make sure you understand what is happening in your legal matter.