2026 Perth Family Law Intensive
The Family Law Section is looking forward to welcoming all family law practitioners to the 2026 Family Law Intensive series.
The always-popular Latest and Greatest will be presented by the Hon Justice O’Brien, Family Court of Western Australia and the Hon Justice Kari, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1).
This event proudly sponsored by:
Justice O’Brien was admitted to practice in 1983. His Honour spent the early years of his career working in the Family Law Division of Legal Aid WA, before joining a large commercial firm in Perth. After 15 years at that firm including a period as managing partner, his Honour joined O’Sullivan Davies where he remained until his appointment to the Family Court of Western Australia and the Family Court of Australia in early 2016.
Justice O’Brien served as President of the Family Law Practitioner’s Association of WA, and later as Chair of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. More recently his Honour was a member of the advisory committee to the ALRC review of the Family Law system.
In March 2024, he was appointed to the Family Law Council for a three-year term.
The Honourable Justice Kari
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
Justice Kari was appointed to the Division 1 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia on October 2021. Prior to her appointment, to Division 1, she served as a Judge of Division 2 of the court from March 2019.
Her Honour obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Adelaide University in 2000. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia in February 2001 and began her career in family law, while also undertaking work in general practice including criminal law, wills and estates and conveyancing.
From 2002, Her Honour spent 2 ½ years working in London as a Solicitor for the Hammersmith and Fulham Local Authority, specialising in child protection and adoption work and sitting as a legal advisor to the Local Authority Adoption Panel.
On her return to Australia, Her Honour worked as a solicitor in private practice before moving to the independent bar to practice exclusively as a barrister in 2010.
In her time in practice, Her Honour was the Chair of the Family Law Committee of the Law Society of South Australia, an active member of the Family Law Section of Law Council and a Council Member of the South Australian Bar Association; writing and presenting numerous papers and articles.
Since her appointment Her Honour has maintained her commitment to educate and enhance the profession. In 2022 she co-chaired the National Family Law Conference in Adelaide for the Family Law Section of Law Council. Her Honour also continues to write and present legal papers and to train the next generation of South Australian barristers.
Dr Ben Jones is a forensic psychologist with extensive experience providing expert psychological assessments in complex family law matters. After completing his doctoral training in forensic behavioural science, Dr Jones began his career in criminal law before moving into family law psychology in 2009.
At Vincent Papaleo & Associates, Dr Jones specialises in family reports, risk assessments, and expert witness services for matters involving family violence, sexual abuse, personality concerns, and high-conflict parenting disputes. His work is recognised for being thorough, balanced, and evidence-based, assisting courts, legal professionals, and families in making informed decisions about children’s safety, wellbeing, and future care arrangements.
In addition to his assessment work, Dr Jones is a regular presenter and seminar facilitator, sharing his expertise with professionals across the legal, forensic, and mental health sectors. He is committed to providing clear, practical, and compassionate insights in even the most challenging circumstances.
Jamie Burreket
Broun Abrahams Burreket Family Lawyers
Jamie is the Managing Director of Broun Abrahams Burreket Family Lawyers, one of Sydney’s largest boutique Family Law firms. He is an accredited specialist in Family Law in NSW and has consistently been ranked by his peers in the Doyle’s Guide as Preeminent both Nationally and in New South Wales. Jamie’s practice, like most Family Lawyers, spans both financial and parenting matters but he has developed a specialty in the more complex issues that arise like challenges to Binding Financial Agreements, jurisdictional choices, opposition to single expert evidence, claims in equity and the intersection of tax planning and property settlements. He is a member of the Family Law Issues Committee of the NSW Law Society, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals and the International Academy of Family Lawyers.
Jamie regularly speaks at state and national conferences and has presented overseas on complex Family Law issues to other Family Law experts. He authors articles and presentations in Family Law annually. He was a member of the organising committee for Sydney’s National Family Law Section Conference and has contributed to submissions made by the Family Law Section on law reform in recent years.
Melissa was admitted as a solicitor in 1995 before being called to the Bar in 2001. She has practised in a diverse range of areas of law but has found her home in Family Law. In 2017 Melissa was appointed Senior Counsel and has continued her commitment to helping families in dispute.
| Category | Early Bird Rate | Standard Rate |
|---|---|---|
(all GST inclusive) | (10 -16 May 2026) | |
FLS Member Price | $600.00 | |
NZ FLS Member Price | ||
Early Career Practitioner* | $435.00 | |
CLC and Legal Aid Commission Employee | $435.00 | |
Judicial/ Court Staff | $445.00 | |
SJRs/JRs/FCWA Registrars | $445.00 | |
Non Member Pricing | $930.00 | |
Non Member - Junior Pricing* | $600.00 |
* For lawyers admitted to practice less than 4 years
Event Inclusions
Event is Open for Registrations
When:
Where:
The Ritz-Carlton 1 Barrack St Perth WA 6000
Contact:
Your Host