FLPA TALKS: A Family Law Podcast
Welcome to FLPA TALKS: A Family Law podcast. With over 1000 members, the Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland (FLPA) is the state’s leading body representing those who work in family law – solicitors, barristers, social workers, psychologists, members of the judiciary and associated fields. Family law is a wonderfully rewarding career, but is not without its challenges. Join us as we explore the issues that impact on the practice and wellbeing of family law practitioners. We hope our episodes will not only inform and inspire you, but encourage you to reach your potential.
Episodes
Join us from the sunny Gold Coast for a special FLPA 2026 Annual Conference episode, recorded live from the Sheraton Grand Mirage.
Hosted by Amy Honan, this episode takes you behind the scenes of the conference as Amy catches up with delegates to hear their highlights, insights, and memorable moments from this year’s event.
Tune in for a taste of the conversations, connections, and community that make the FLPA Annual Conferen...
Lawyers have received a range of information about the expanded regime under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) from different sources. It can be difficult to know when an engagement for a family law matter 'tips over' into being a designated service.
In today's episode, FLPA Immediate Past President Shannon Daykin is joined by Jess Smith, Director at Grant Thornton. Jess has over 1...
In this podcast, James Bailey is joined by Jennifer Veitch of Pilot Partners. Jennifer is a Partner at Pilot Partners who assists family lawyers and client to make complex financial issues clear – so parties can negotiate, resolve or litigate with confidence.
In this episode, Jennifer shares her insights about when you might engage a forensic accountant, including understanding what a valuation of a busines...
Difficult conversations are part of everyday practice. Whether it’s delivering advice a client may not want to hear, raising concerns with a colleague, or setting boundaries in the workplace, how we approach these moments can make a significant difference to both outcomes and relationships.
In this episode of FLPA Talks, Emily Ownsworth is joined by Leilanie Pakoa, sport psychologist at Surge (Performance and Wellbeing), and ...
In today’s episode, we sit down with Helen Davison and Dora Ko to explore best practice when representing culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) clients in family law.
Dora began her career in private practice before moving to Women’s Legal Service. In 2022, she was appointed as a Judicial Registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), and since 2025, she has been leading a busy media...
In this episode of FLPA Talks: A Family Law Podcast, we explore what it really takes to step out on your own and establish a family law practice.
Host Shannon Daykin is joined by experienced Queensland family law solicitors Judy Stewart, Louise O’Reilly and Erin Shaw to discuss their journeys into practice ownership. Together, they reflect on the motivations behind their decisions, the different pathways they considered,...
Teams in legal practice can be complex — clients, juniors, partners, support staff and counsel, all working toward the same goal in different ways. In this episode, we’re joined by Leilanie Pakoa, sport psychologist at Surge (Performance and Wellbeing) and Fiona Pakoa, mentor and coach, to explore how to understand your role within a team, build self-awareness, communicate effectively, and create psychologically safe wo...
FLPA Board member James Bailey is joined by Mary-Ann Huth of Legal Aid Queensland to talk about How to become an Independent Children’s Lawyer and a preferred supplier for Legal Aid.
Mary-Ann is the Assistant Director for Family Law Services at Legal Aid Queensland and is an experienced family lawyer and Independent Children’s Lawyer. In this episode, Mary-Ann shares insights on why and how to become a:
- prefer...
In this episode, hosts Emily Ownsworth and Jack Shaw are joined by the Honourable Justice Brasch of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) to share her Honour’s best tips and tricks for advocacy in the family l...
In this episode of FLPA TALKS: A Family Law Podcast, host Emily Ownsworth sits down with family law solicitors Ellie Neuendorf and Jack Shaw to unpack their pivotal first year of working in a family law firm —how they navigated the emotional weight of family law cases, leaned into mentorship and firm culture, and gradually built their professional identity amidst client worries and deadlines.
Through relatable stories and can...
This episode of FLPA TALKS A Family Law Podcast is the next instalment of the recurring series ‘Things I wish I knew’. In this episode, Matt Taylor sits down with experienced practitioner and proud First Nations man Joshua Creamer and Alicia George, a newer member of our profession. Together we discuss the importance of mentorship, representation and community.
This is a special podcast episode with two First Nations pr...
In this special episode of FLPA Talks: A Family Law Podcast, we hit the ground at the FLPA Retreat 2025 to bring you a lively vox pop straight from the action.
Hear from a range of attendees – including solicitors, barristers, and accountants – as they share their thoughts, insights, and favourite moments from the Retreat.
Whether it’s reflections on practice, tips for young professionals, or simply what they love...
In this episode, Helen Davison sits down with Deanna Musumeci, FLPA's newest regional representative. Together, Helen and Deanna explore the unique challenges and rewards of practising law in regional areas.
Deanna shares her personal journey to the bar—navigating that leap while raising young children and the additional challenges of being based in Townsville. She also opens up about overcoming significant health challe...
In this episode of FLPA Talks: A Family Law Podcast, hosts Emily Ownsworth and Jack Shaw take you behind the scenes of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia with special guest Amy Ferigo, Associate to the Honourable Justice Baumann AM.
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Deborah Awyzio is a Nationally Accredited Mediator, arbitrator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Accredited Family Law Specialist, as well as a Past President of FLPA. With over 30 years’ experience in family law, Deborah has a wealth of knowledge to share about preparing your client for a mediation, top tips for the day of mediation, where things can go wrong, insights on the qualities of a ...
In this episode, FLPA Board member James Bailey is joined by Sarah Cleeland of Sarah Cleeland Family Lawyers. Apart from being a family lawyer, nationally accredited mediator, family dispute resolution practitioner, collaborative lawyer and independent children’s lawyer, Sarah is also an experienced parenting coordinator.
Sarah shares her insights about parenting coordination, including whether you can engage the ...
In this episode, Emily Ownsworth dives into a question that is front of mind for family lawyers at the moment: Am I Ready for Specialist Accreditation?
Joining the conversation is Sarah Dibley, Special Counsel at Lander & Rogers, who brings 14 years of exclusive family law experience. As a member of Queensland Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation Advisory Committee, Sarah shares expert insights on the accreditation proc...
In this episode, Helen Davison, barrister-at-law, interviews recently retired District Court Judge and Judge of the Planning and Environment Court, Michael Rackemann. He shares his advice on many topics, including:
- How not to infuriate a judge and advocacy tips
- The challenges facing judges
- Working in areas of the law which expose judges and practitioners to distressing content.
Lastly, retired Judge Rackemann speaks...
Responding to domestic violence has been one of the great legal and legislative challenges of recent times. With both state and Federal Governments passing recent legislation aiming to reflect our understanding of the nature of this violence and better respond to it.
In this episode, FLPA Board member and Secretary Matt Taylor talks with Nadia Bromley, CEO of Women’s Legal Service QLD, to discuss recent changes, what they had...
This episode is the second in our recurring series of podcasts called Things I Wish I Knew. In this series, FLPA Secretary and barrister Matt Taylor brings together a senior member of the profession with a practitioner earlier in their career, and invites them to chat.
In this episode, Neil McGregor talks with new barrister Blake Hatchman.
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