RESOLVE CONFLICT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / Family Lawyer / Mediator
Alyson is a Director and Family Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. She commenced working at Resolve Conflict as a paralegal in 2010 while she completed her Masters of Law (Juris Doctor) at Monash University. During her law degree Alyson was selected to compete as one of two representatives of Monash University in the International Commercial Mediation Competition in Paris, where her team won the award for Best Mediation Strategy out of 66 International Universities. Alyson graduated with Honours in October 2015 and continued working at Resolve Conflict as a Graduate Lawyer.
Upon completing her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the College of Law, Alyson was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Victoria and is a Senior Associate Lawyer of the firm. Alyson understands that divorce and separation can be an emotionally difficult and an uncertain time and works closely with her clients to best advocate for their rights and interests. Alyson practices in parenting matters, child protection, general children's matters, complex property matters, surrogacy, prenuptial and relationship agreements and Intervention Order proceedings.
Alyson is a skilled negotiator and an experienced litigator and is able to guide her clients through the family court system with skill, empathy and compassion. Alyson is also a Nationally Accredited Mediator and a collaboratively trained lawyer and while she is an experienced litigator and advocates zealously for her clients interests at Court, in many cases she is able to support clients to reach settlement without the need for Court intervention.
Qualifications
Masters of Law (Juris Doctor) at Monash University.
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / Family Lawyer
Ben is a Director and Family Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. He specialises in advising clients on financial matters, including the division of assets, spousal maintenance and child support issues. He is passionate about ensuring that his clients maintain financial security into the next chapter of their life following the breakdown of their de facto relationship or marriage. In particular, Ben specialises in complex financial matters including businesses or entities, trusts and self-managed superannuation funds.
Ben studied at Monash University and obtained his Bachelor of Law (LLB) and Bachelor of Commerce. For the commerce component of his degree, Ben majored in accounting and utilises this knowledge to advise clients regarding complex financial matters. Ben subsequently completed his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and Master of Laws (Applied Law) at the College of Law.
Ben originally worked in intellectual property litigation, primarily assisting clients with copyright, design and trademark infringement proceedings. He made the transition to family law as he had always retained his passion for the field. Ben's enthusiasm for family law stems mainly from being able to help clients through what can be a difficult period of their lives and assisting them in reaching a positive and respectful solution. Ben's background in intellectual property litigation assisted him in developing strong litigation skills which he carried with him into the area of family law. He is highly experienced at representing clients in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and Magistrates' Court of Victoria. He also has experience in appearing at child support objection review hearings at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Ben was nominated as a finalist for the best family lawyer category for the Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 awards in 2022.
Qualifications
LLB, Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting major).
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Interests
Outside of the law, Ben is passionate about fitness and sport and is an enthusiastic Hawks supporter.
Job Titles:
- Director / Family Lawyer / Mediator
Catherine is a senior experienced Family Lawyer who has been assisting clients to reach acceptable solutions in Family Law matters for nearly 40 years. Experience gained over many years reveals how difficult divorce and separation can be from emotional, financial and legal perspectives. Catherine is also a nationally accredited mediator and a government accredited family dispute resolution practitioner and is committed to guiding clients through the separation and divorce process in the most amicable way possible, while still achieving a legally binding outcome for them.
Catherine is the author of two books on Family Law, has lectured at Monash University in the Law School, and has trained lawyers extensively around Australia in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Qualifications
Catherine is a graduate of the Melbourne University Law School.
Nationally Accredited Mediator.
Government Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Former President of Law Council of Australia, 2012.
Former President of Law Institute of Victoria, 2006.
Board Member, Neerim District Health Service Victoria.
Interests
Outside of work Catherine enjoys breeding and showing Airedale Terriers.
Catherine Gale is a family lawyer with 40 years of experience. She is a Government Accredited Family Mediator ( FDRP) and Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS). A leader in the development of Collaborative law in Australia and former Law Institute of Victoria President and Law Council of Australia President, Catherine and her team have the skills and experience to support you through what can be a complicated and confusing time, to reach a resolution and move forward with your life.
Jaimie is a Paralegal at Resolve Conflict. She is currently in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts & Law (Honours) degree at Monash University, majoring in International Studies. She has a passion for people-centred law, social justice and helping others.
During her university studies, Jaimie was selected to take part in the Just Leadership Program at Monash University where she dived further into her passion for social justice in the law and developed a proposal for better connecting First Nations peoples to the legal system.
Throughout her studies, she has volunteered for a non-for-profit organisation where she held roles including President, Head of Education, and Head of Summer Camp. The organisation delivers weekly educational programs for children and leaders, and bi-annual camps. While there, Jaimie developed a love for working with children.
It is her passion for social justice, people-centred law and working with children that led her into Family Law.
Qualifications
Jaimie is currently completing her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts & Law (Honours) degree at Monash University, majoring in International Studies.
Outside of work and study, Jaimie enjoys running, spending time with friends and family and is a self-proclaimed "foodie".
Julia is a Graduate Family Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. Having completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne and a Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) at Monash University, Julia has now obtained a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Leo Cussen Centre for Law.
Julia developed a keen interest in family law and its complexities during her legal education. Julia has previous experience in intellectual property, medical negligence and insurance litigation. Ultimately, Julia relishes the opportunity to assist clients in achieving positive outcomes in difficult and distressing circumstances.
Qualifications
Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) from Monash University
Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at Leo Cussen Centre for Law
Interests
Outside of the law, Julia likes spending time with friends and family, and heading down to the coast.
Justin is a Family Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. Having worked with the firm for approximately 18 months as a Graduate Lawyer before being admitted to practise as a lawyer, Justin has developed a strong knowledge of family law which he uses to provide accurate, timely and compassionate advice to his clients.
Justin has commercial law experience having worked alongside general counsel as well as within a boutique city law firm. Justin has also worked at a Community Legal Centre assisting in family law matters where he discovered his passion for people-focused work and family law. Justin's goal is to guide and assist his clients through their family law disputes, achieving the best possible outcomes.
He completed a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts from Monash University.
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Interests
Outside of the law, Justin enjoys cycling, hiking, challenging his fitness at the gym and is an avid Lego enthusiast.
Kathryn is a Graduate Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. She completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University. For the Commerce component of her degree, Kathryn majored in accounting which has provided her with a solid foundation to assist clients with financial matters. She has now obtained a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Leo Cussen Centre for Law. Kathryn developed a passion for family law through her experience working at a boutique law firm and community legal centre. She is excited about pursuing a legal career in family law and the ability to assist clients who are going through difficult periods of their lives.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting major)
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Interests
Outside of work, Kathryn is an avid hockey player and pianist and loves going on long hikes.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Family Lawyer
Kish is an Associate Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. He has worked exclusively in family law since completing his Bachelor of Laws and Arts at Deakin University and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Leo Cussen Centre for Law.
Laura is an Associate Family Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics). Laura then went on to obtain a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law.
Prior to joining Resolve Conflict, Laura gained experience at a boutique family law firm in St Kilda where she worked as a paralegal. Laura's focus is on achieving the best results for clients, in a practical and understanding manner during what can be a very difficult time.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics).
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Interests
Outside of work, Laura enjoys travelling, hiking and outdoor activities and cooking for her friends and family.
Lisa Velleman has been with Resolve Conflict for over five years and has over 30 years' experience. As Resolve Conflict's accounts manager, Lisa provides essential support to both staff and clients.
Roderick is a Family Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. He completed a Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law. Roderick has extensive experience in family law, having previously worked as a Law Clerk in a suburban family law firm for a number of years whilst completing his degree. He has experience in a range of matters including parenting, property, divorce and intervention order proceedings. Roderick's approach to family law matters is to make the family law process as painless as possible and he strives to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from The College of Law
Interests
Roderick enjoys camping, hiking and reading fantasy and sci-fi novels.
Will is a Family Lawyer at Resolve Conflict. Will completed his Juris Doctor post-graduate degree and a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne and his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law.
Will developed a passion for family law through working on matters at a Community Legal Centre and as a paralegal to a child-protection barrister. In particular, he believes in delivering practical and tailored outcomes to clients in a compassionate and empathetic manner. Will also has commercial law experience within a top-tier commercial law firm as well as at a boutique law firm.
Qualifications
Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) from University of Melbourne.
Bachelor of Arts from University of Melbourne.
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at College of Law.
Interests
Outside of the law, Will is a music fan and loves playing piano. He is passionate about fitness including developing his skills in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with the aim of achieving black belt qualification.