Family Law Education Network

Some of the most challenging family law matters aren't won by knowing the legislation. They're navigated through good judgment, careful planning and practical advocacy.

This month's FamMastery workshop is designed to help practitioners think through the real-world decisions involved in supporting clients experiencing family violence.

Joining us once again are Emily Ostler and Mickaela Mate, for a practical discussion exploring:

✔ Understanding how trauma impacts client behaviour and decision-making;
✔ Working with clients who are perpetrating or have been accused of perpetrating family violence;
✔ Communicating clearly without retraumatising clients; and
✔ Setting boundaries while remaining professional and supportive.

As always, FamMastery is a collaborative discussion designed to help you work through practical scenarios, ask questions and learn alongside other family law practitioners.

Tuesday 18 August. 1pm AEST.

Join via MS teams invite - if you have not received this, please contact [email protected]

Not a FLENA member yet? Join today to access our monthly LawCademy education sessions, FamMastery practical workshops, on-demand recordings, precedents, resources and a supportive community of family law practitioners. https://form.jotform.com/250348217687868

What happens when family violence, trauma, family law and criminal proceedings intersect?

Last week, Emily Ostler and Mickaela Mate explored some of the complexities practitioners face in these sensitive matters during our August LawCademy session, including:

→ How trauma can shape client communication and instructions
→ Identifying and responding to risk and safety concerns
→ The intersection between family law and criminal proceedings
→ Navigating evidence and documentation strategically
→ Knowing when collaboration across practice areas is critical

A huge thank you to Emily and Mickaela for such a practical and thought-provoking session.

If you didn't get to join live, members can now access the full session recording via the Members Portal.

Want access to education that goes beyond the textbook? Explore our membership options and see what our community are learning every month.

https://www.familylawedu.com.au/

There’s no perfect formula for balancing a career, family and a life outside of both. Perhaps we need to stop pretending there is.

For many family lawyers, the challenge isn’t simply managing a busy workload. It’s finding ways to build a career that remains fulfilling and sustainable alongside everything else life asks of us.

In this month’s file-notes newsletter, our General Manager Victoria Rebellato joins the conversation about parenthood, boundaries and the small, practical choices that can help protect against burnout.

It’s an important reminder that sustainable practice can look different for everyone, and sometimes the smallest boundaries make the biggest difference.

You can read Victoria’s full response and sign up to the newsletter on the file-notes website: https://www.file-notes.com/

Keeping across key property decisions is one thing. Working out which ones actually matter to your day-to-day practice, and what you should take from them, is another.

On 9 September, James Black will cut through the noise with a curated review of recent, consequential FCFCOA property decisions, unpacking the rulings, the reasoning and, importantly, the practical takeaways for family lawyers.

If you practise in property matters, this is one to have in the calendar.

9 September. 1:00pm AEST.

For current members: Registration is required to attend this session. Register here: dd5f8123-571e-406c-9e79-21f045ce3220@687a80b0-b50f-4e93-be7b-b83671872c29" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/dd5f8123-571e-406c-9e79-21f045ce3220@687a80b0-b50f-4e93-be7b-b83671872c29

Not currently a FLENA member? Unlock access to this webinar (and much more!) through our Anchor membership for $275/year: https://form.jotform.com/250348217687868

Western Australian family law is evolving, and we're making it easier to stay across the latest developments.

We've just published two new Western Australian case summaries on our website, covering recent decisions with practical implications for family law practitioners:

📌 Dunn v WA Reproductive Technology Council [2026] WASCA 65 – an important Court of Appeal decision concerning surrogacy, discrimination law and parentage.

📌 Mils & Mils [2025] FCWA 125 – a reminder of the principles surrounding habitual residence and jurisdiction in international parenting matters.

As family law continues to evolve across Australia, staying connected to jurisdiction-specific developments has never been more important.

That's exactly why we launched WA FamMastery - a growing community created specifically for Western Australian family lawyers.

Each month, members come together to discuss recent cases, practical scenarios, emerging issues and the realities of practising family law in WA.

If you're practising in Western Australia (or simply want to stay informed), we'd love to have you involved.

👉 Read the latest WA case summaries: https://familylawedu.com.au/wa-case-summaries/

👉 Register your interest in joining our WA community: https://form.jotform.com/260910462624857

The family law landscape is changing rapidly.

Burnout. Artificial intelligence. Access to justice. Regional service delivery. Workforce sustainability.

These aren't isolated issues. They're reshaping the future of family law and the way we support both practitioners and clients.

In a recent article for Lawyers Weekly, FLENA General Manager Victoria Rebellato explores the challenges facing the profession and why collaboration, innovation and education will play a critical role in what's next.

At FLENA, these conversations aren't just topics we discuss - they're driving the initiatives we're building, the education we deliver, and the future we're working towards.

A great read for anyone thinking about where family law is headed.

📖 Read the full article here: https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/44702-burnout-ai-and-access-to-justice-the-issues-reshaping-family-law