The Honourable Justice Altobelli AM 

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 

 After 25 years in legal practice Justice Altobelli was appointed as a Federal Magistrate in 2006 and then as a Judge of the Family Court of Australia in 2020, based in Sydney.   His Honour graduated Bachelor of Laws in 1980, Master of Laws in 1986 and Doctor of Juridical Science in 2000. Justice Altobelli also has a Graduate Diploma in Divinity, a Graduate Certificate in Chaplaincy, and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Law, Western Sydney University. He is also an authorised marriage celebrant.  Before his appointment, Justice Altobelli was accredited as a specialist in the areas of Family Law, Children’s Law and Mediation.  

His Honour was, formerly, Special Counsel at Watts McCray Lawyers and an Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney.  His Honour was also a member of the Executive of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. Justice Altobelli has authored 4 books on family law and dispute resolution as well as over 50 articles in Australian and international journals.  

Justice Altobelli is particularly interested in judicial wellbeing and judicial and professional education.  

Justice Altobelli sits on the Board and is the Secretary of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.  In 2023 Justice Altobelli was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of significant service to the law and legal education.  

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.     

Matt has practised as a Family Law barrister for 16 years, having been called to the Bar of England & Wales in 2010 and the Victorian Bar in 2021. He has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a leading Family Law barrister in Victoria and Australia since beginning his practice in 2021 and continues to be recognised in the English legal directories as a leading junior barrister.

Matt's expertise is in the division of property after separation and parenting disputes. He is briefed to advise and appear in cases involving disputes about equitable interests in property, trusts and commercial issues, including oppression claims.

Matt is a Nationally Accredited Arbitrator. When he is in England, Matt sits part-time as a Judge of the Family Court and arbitrates parenting and property matters. In a previous life he refereed Rugby Union in the English Premiership and now sits on many national and international judicial panels.