The Honourable Justice Christie

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 

Admitted to practice as a Barrister in 2004 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2018, the Hon. Justice Christie came to the bench with a background in family law, and related matters in both State and Federal Courts, including in adoption and Appellate advocacy.

Justice Christie was until appointment one of the authors of Lexis Nexis Annotated Family Law Legislation and was the contributing author to the Financial Agreements chapter in Halsbury’s Laws of Australia.

Her Honour has regularly lectured for the profession and as a guest at various universities. Prior to coming to the bench Justice Christie contributed to numerous conferences and law journals and this is a continuing interest.

She is a member of the Court’s International Committee and has a special interest in the collaborative work with the Supreme Court of Indonesia. She is also a member of the Court’s Children’s Committee and the working group on Interpreter policy.

Her Honour is a participant in the UTS Law High Achievers Mentoring Program.

Dr Ben Jones

Forensic Psychologist, Papaleo and Associates

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.